10 Must-Have Resume Tips for Recent Graduates

How do I write a strong summary statement as a recent graduate?

As a recent graduate, your resume summary statement should showcase your skills, experience, and aspirations. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible and use strong action verbs to make your statement impactful. For example, instead of writing “I am a recent graduate with a degree in marketing,” write “Recent marketing graduate with a proven track record of increasing conversion rates by 15% through data-driven campaigns.”

• Keep your statement brief and to the point, around 2-3 sentences.
• Tailor your statement to the specific job description you are applying for.
• Consider using keywords from the job posting to make your statement more relevant.

What skills and abilities should I highlight on my resume?

When choosing which skills to highlight on your resume, focus on those that are relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

• Consider your coursework, extracurricular activities, and any work experience you have.
• Use a variety of skills, including both hard and soft skills.
• Hard skills are specific, technical skills that you have learned through education or experience.
• Soft skills are more general, transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Here are some examples of skills that recent graduates can highlight:

• Hard skills: Proficiency in software such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, or data analysis tools; knowledge of programming languages; experience with project management tools.
• Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, time management.

How do I quantify my accomplishments as a recent graduate?

Quantifying your accomplishments on your resume helps employers to see the impact of your work.

• Use numbers to show how you have improved efficiency, increased sales, or reduced costs.
• For example, instead of writing “Managed social media accounts,” write “Managed social media accounts, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement.”
• If you don’t have any hard numbers to quantify your accomplishments, you can use other ways to show your impact.
• For example, you could describe the scope of your work, the results you achieved, or the challenges you overcame.

What education and certifications should I include on my resume?

In the education section of your resume, list your degree, major, university, and graduation date.

• If you have a high GPA, you can include it as well.
• You can also list any relevant coursework or projects that you completed.
• If you have any certifications, list them in a separate section of your resume.
• Certifications show that you have the skills and knowledge to perform a specific job or task.

Where can I get feedback to improve my resume?

There are a few different ways to get feedback on your resume.

• You can ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review it.
• You can also use a resume review service.
• Many colleges and universities offer resume review services to their students.
• You can also post your resume on a job board or online forum and ask for feedback from other users.

How do I effectively use strong action verbs and keywords?

Strong action verbs make your resume more active and engaging.

• Instead of writing “I worked on a project,” write “I led a project.”
• Instead of writing “I was responsible for customer service,” write “I provided excellent customer service.”
• Keywords are words and phrases that employers use to search for resumes.
• Research the job descriptions you are applying for and include relevant keywords in your resume.
• You can use a keyword tool to help you identify relevant keywords.

How can I tailor my resume to a specific job description?

Tailoring your resume to each job you apply for will help you increase your chances of getting an interview.

• Read the job description carefully and identify the skills and experience that the employer is looking for.
• Highlight the skills and experience on your resume that are most relevant to the job.
• If you don’t have any direct experience in the field, you can highlight transferable skills that you have.
• For example, if you are applying for a marketing job, you could highlight your experience in social media or customer service.

How can ResumeGemini’s resources help me create a great resume?

ResumeGemini offers a variety of resources to help recent graduates create a great resume.

• Our resume builder makes it easy to create a professional resume in minutes.
• We offer a variety of resume templates to choose from, so you can find a template that matches your style and the job you are applying for.
• Our resume examples provide inspiration and guidance, so you can see how other recent graduates have created successful resumes.
• Our resume tips and advice will help you write a strong resume that will get you noticed.