If you think you’re too inexperienced to write a resume that convinces The Man you’re worthy of the job, you’re right. But don’t worry. Once you start to really think about your experiences, you’ll be surprised at what you have to embellish (no total fabrications, please). Basically your ticket to ride will be determined by your ability to spin your unique experiences, skills and background.

A list of must-haves:

• College Info (name, location, major, degree, graduation date and GPA — but only if it’s 3.0 or higher)
• College Accomplishments (scholarships, honors, associations, fraternities, sororities, clubs, etc.)
• Technical Skills (computer hardware and software — and no, video game platforms don't count)
• Industry-Related Internships or Summer Jobs (include responsibilities and skills gained — and remember unpaid industry experience trumps unrelated paid work)
• Work History (ten years from now, your shift as a McDonald's shift manager would drag down your resume. But for now, it proves you can at least hold down a job and handle some responsibility.)
• Positive Character Traits (easy to work with, team player, detail-oriented)
• Interests (other than drinking beer and shooting pool)

A little more on embellishment

Since your part-time jobs gave you real world experience, but more than likely were unrelated to your future career, consider better ways to say things. It’s all about the way you say it.

Here’s an example:

What if your part-time job was working on the kitchen staff at the local hospital all through college? Clearly it’s nowhere near the most glamorous task in the world. So how does one articulate the importance and level of responsibility associated with this job?

WRONG:

“Pulled a food cart around the hospital to deliver meals and collect dirty trays from sick people three times a day.”

MUCH BETTER:

“Led product delivery process in accordance with company and governmental guidelines assuring the sustenance and health of end users.”

Not that clever? Stick to these BUZZWORDS that suggest you made things happen rather watched things happen around you.

Words that convey leadership:

• Managed
• Directed
• Controlled
• Implemented
• Negotiated
• Met
• Led
• Earned
• Advised
• Increased

Words that appear passive:

• Assisted
• Contributed
• Supported
• Helped
• Oversaw

Design Don’ts

• Don’t use weird fonts (Comic Sans is not cool)
• 'Don’t add flair (Keep your love for skull graphics or tulip decorations under wraps until it's time to decorate your cube)
• Don’t use grey (It doesn’t copy well at all)
• Don’t use ‘fancy’ paper (This isn’t the Declaration of Independence, or a party invitation)
• Last but not least, don’t scent your resume like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde!
  

A Comprehensive Design Do!

• Your resume should be slick and professional, using a readable black type, printed on a smooth classic white paper that’s thicker than standard copy paper. Oh, and do keep it to one page. This is your first rodeo, remember?

FORMAT IS IMPORTANT

Saving your resume as a PDF file will preserve whatever formatting you choose to do - and is the best way to send the document digitally. But some job sites (like Monster) require that you upload a Word doc. Follow instructions closely and send what your potential employer/recruiter requires. This is your first test on attention-to-detail.

Want to see a sample resume? 

Rock These Links

Resume Tutor
Resume Writing Assistance
Cover Letters
Video: Create a DVD Resume