How to Build a Strong Resume for College Students

Landing Your Dream Internship? Start With a Killer Resume

Okay, so you're in college, right? You're looking for internships, maybe even your first job. The competition is fierce. But don't worry! A good resume can help you stand out from the crowd. And that's what we're going to talk about today.

What's the Point of a Resume?

Think of it this way: your resume is like a mini-commercial for you. It's your chance to showcase your skills and experience, and make a potential employer say, "Wow, this person is awesome! I need to interview them!"

What Goes On Your Resume?

For college students, here's the basic stuff:

• Contact Info: Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn (if you have it). Keep it simple, you want them to remember you, not your crazy email address!
• Summary/Objective: This is your chance to brag (in a professional way). If you have some work experience, use a "Summary" to highlight your skills and goals. If you're just starting out, use an "Objective" to let them know what kind of job you're looking for.
• Education: Your school, your major, when you're graduating. If you're a rockstar with a great GPA, put that down too!
• Experience: This is where you show off! Any jobs, internships, volunteer work, or projects you've done. Use action verbs to describe what you accomplished. For example, instead of saying "helped with marketing," say "Increased social media engagement by 20% through a new content strategy."
• Skills: Software, languages, anything you know how to do. This is where you list all those "soft skills" too, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Projects/Activities: Cool things you've worked on, even if they weren't "real jobs." This shows you're a go-getter.
• Awards/Honors: If you've won something, put it here! This adds weight to your application.

Tips for a Resume That Will Get Noticed

Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Tailor It! Each resume should be different. Read the job description carefully and highlight the skills and experiences that match what they're looking for.
2. Use Action Verbs: Show, don't tell! Use verbs like "managed," "created," "implemented," "increased," etc.
3. Focus on Relevant Skills: Volunteer work, projects you've done, even clubs you're in, all count. Show off your skills!
4. Make It Look Professional: Use a clean template, a consistent font, and plenty of white space. Don't go crazy with colors or fancy graphics.
5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! Spelling errors and typos are a HUGE no-no! Have a friend take a look too.

Examples You Can Steal

Here are some examples of how you can describe your experience:

Experience

Example 1: Part-time Job

Sales Associate | Retail Store Name | City, State | Month Year - Month Year

• Exceeded sales targets by 15% through personalized product recommendations.
• Maintained a clean and organized store environment, contributing to an overall positive customer experience.
• Collaborated with team members to effectively manage inventory and restock shelves.

Example 2: Internship

Marketing Intern | Company Name | City, State | Month Year - Month Year

• Assisted with social media campaigns, leading to a 10% increase in follower engagement.
• Created engaging content for the company website, resulting in a 5% increase in website traffic.
• Collaborated with the marketing team on email campaigns, contributing to a 20% increase in email open rates.

Example 3: Volunteer Work

Volunteer Coordinator | Non-Profit Organization Name | City, State | Month Year - Month Year

• Organized and recruited volunteers for community events, exceeding event participation targets by 15%.
• Managed volunteer schedules and ensured smooth operations during events.
• Communicated effectively with volunteers, fostering a positive and collaborative team environment.

Skills

• Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, CSS, Java, Python, SQL
• Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Leadership, Time Management, Organization, Critical Thinking
• Language Skills: Fluent in English, Spanish, French

Extra Tips for College Students

Here's some more advice:

• Professional Email Address: Use your name, like [firstname.lastname]@email.com. Don't use something silly from high school!
• Highlight Relevant Coursework: If your classes match the job description, list them!
• Network!: Go to career fairs, talk to people in your field. Networking can lead to great opportunities.
• Get Feedback: Ask a professor, career advisor, or friend to review your resume. They can help you make it even better.

Wrap Up

A good resume is your ticket to a great internship or job. By following these tips, you can create a resume that will make a great first impression. So, get to work and good luck!