Write a Resume That Gets Noticed: 7 Tricks for Recent Grads

How do I write a resume as a recent graduate?

As a recent graduate, tailoring your resume to highlight your skills and experience while keeping it concise and impactful is essential. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Quantify your accomplishments: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the results of your work, such as “Increased sales by 15%” or “Managed a team of 10 interns.”
• Use action verbs: Start your bullet points with strong action verbs that describe your responsibilities and achievements, such as “Developed,” “Led,” or “Implemented.”
• Highlight your skills: List your relevant skills prominently on your resume, including both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (transferable skills like communication and teamwork).
• Tailor your resume to each job application: Take the time to customize your resume for each job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experience most relevant to the position.
• Keep it concise: Aim for a one-page resume that is easy to read and scan.

What are the most important sections to include on a recent graduate’s resume?

As a recent graduate, your resume should include the following sections:

• Contact information: Include your name, address, phone number, and email address.
• Summary or objective: Write a brief statement that summarizes your skills and experience and how they align with the position you are applying for.
• Education: List your educational background, including the name of your school, degree, major, GPA (if high), and graduation date.
• Skills: List your relevant skills, both hard and soft.
• Experience: List your work experience, including internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or any other relevant experience.
• Awards and honors: List any awards or honors you have received.

You can also include additional sections, such as extracurricular activities, if they are relevant to the position you are applying for.

How do I highlight my skills and experience?

To highlight your skills and experience on your resume, use the following tips:

• Use keywords: Identify the keywords that are most relevant to the position you are applying for and use them throughout your resume.
• Quantify your accomplishments: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the results of your work, such as “Increased sales by 15%” or “Managed a team of 10 interns.”
• Use action verbs: Start your bullet points with strong action verbs that describe your responsibilities and achievements, such as “Developed,” “Led,” or “Implemented.”
• Highlight your skills: List your relevant skills prominently on your resume, including both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (transferable skills like communication and teamwork).
• Tailor your resume to each job application: Take the time to customize your resume for each job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experience most relevant to the position.

What should I include in the education section of my resume?

In the education section of your resume, include the following information:

• Name of your school: List the name of the school you attended.
• Degree: List the degree you earned.
• Major: List your major.
• GPA (if high): If your GPA is high (3.5 or above), you can list it on your resume.
• Graduation date: List the date you graduated.

You can also include additional information, such as your coursework, honors, and awards.

What are some tips for optimizing my resume for ATS?

To optimize your resume for ATS, use the following tips:

• Use keywords: Identify the keywords that are most relevant to the position you are applying for and use them throughout your resume.
• Use a standard font: Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Use a consistent format: Use a consistent format throughout your resume, such as using the same font size and style for all headings and text.
• Avoid using graphics or images: ATS cannot read graphics or images, so avoid using them on your resume.
• Save your resume as a PDF: Save your resume as a PDF to ensure that it will be formatted correctly when opened by an ATS.

How do I write a strong resume headline as a recent graduate?

Your resume headline is one of the first things that potential employers will see, so it is important to make a strong impression. As a recent graduate, your resume headline should be concise and attention-grabbing, and it should highlight your skills and experience. Here are a few tips for writing a strong resume headline:

• Keep it brief: Your resume headline should be no more than 10-15 words.
• Use keywords: Include keywords that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
• Highlight your skills: Mention your most relevant skills in your headline.
• Be specific: Avoid using generic terms like “recent graduate” or “entry-level.” Instead, be specific about your skills and experience.

Here are a few examples of strong resume headlines for recent graduates:

• Recent graduate with a degree in computer science and experience in software development
• Entry-level marketing professional with a strong track record in social media marketing
• Recent MBA graduate with a focus on finance and a passion for investment banking

What are the most common mistakes to avoid in a recent graduate’s resume?

Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid in a recent graduate’s resume:

• Using too much jargon: Avoid using technical jargon or industry-specific acronyms that potential employers may not be familiar with.
• Including irrelevant information: Only include information on your resume that is relevant to the position you are applying for.
• Making it too long: Your resume should be concise and easy to read, so aim for one page.
• Using a unprofessional font or design: Use a standard font and a simple, professional design.
• Having typos or errors: Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it to ensure that it is free of typos or errors.

How do I make my resume stand out from other recent graduates?

To make your resume stand out from other recent graduates, you can do the following:

• Quantify your accomplishments: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the results of your work, such as “Increased sales by 15%” or “Managed a team of 10 interns.”
• Highlight your skills: List your relevant skills prominently on your resume, including both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (transferable skills like communication and teamwork).
• Tailor your resume to each job application: Take the time to customize your resume for each job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experience most relevant to the position.
• Get feedback from others: Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume and provide feedback.
• Use a professional resume template: Using a professional resume template can help your resume look polished and well-organized.