7 Rules for Creating a Resume for Your First Job out of College

7 Rules for Creating a Resume for Your First Job out of College 7 Rules for Creating a Resume for Your First Job out of College Finding your first real job out of college can be stressful. It takes time and perseverance to scour the search engines and research companies you may want to work for. But before you do any of that, youhave to create a resume.Most hiring managers only spend a few minutes (and sometimes just a few seconds) skimming candidates resumes before making a decision. With so little time to get their attention, you need to make sure your resume is eye-catching and concise.Dont let your resume go into the no pile upon first glance. Follow these seven rulesto write a great resume for your first job 1. Dont Forget the BasicsSome applicants pay so much attention to the details that they forget the most important information Make sure your resume includes your full name, full address, and contact information, including your emaille address.Does your email address includ e goofy words, nicknames, or other inappropriate elements? If so, create a new email address to use strictly for job hunting. A professional email address is key if you want to look like a strong candidate.2. Select the Right FormatThe traditional resume format lists your prior jobs in reverse chronological order, but if your most recent jobs dont relate to the job for which youre applying, you may want to consider a combination resume instead.With a combination resume, you put more focus on the skills youve acquired than on the jobs youve had. This makes a combination resume a great option for recent grads looking for their first full-time jobs.For example, lets say you worked as a barista, retail clerk, and campus tour guide in college. Those jobs might bedrngnis be at all relevant to the job you want, but with a combination resume, you can shift attention onto your valuable experience by highlighting your customer service skills rather than the titles you held.Youll also need to decide if you want to include an objective statement or a summary of qualifications. Objective statements are often viewed asoutdated, so you may want to opt for a summary of qualifications.A summary of qualifications is a list of four or five bullet points that focus on your skills, accolades, and experiences. The summary sits at the beginning of your resume, making it an easy way for a hiring manager to get a sense of who you are and what you can do.3. Include All Relevant Experience and SkillsIf youre a new college grad, dont discount the importance of academic achievements and volunteer experience. Extracurricular programs may even have a place on your resume, especially if you had a leadership role.Without a lot of solid job experience under your belt, youll want to call attention to any transferable skills you may have. For example, experience as a waiter or waitress can be quite useful if youre applying for a job in schlussverkauf or marketing.It is crucial that you include a ny relevant information that might help you get the job, but you dont have to include everything. Remove what isnt relevant so you can focus on what is.Most importantly, dont ever lie or make up experience. If your resume includes experience you dont have, your secrets are sure to come to light during the interview. 4. Utilize Strong Action VerbsYour resume should command attention. After all, you want to sound strong, competent, and ready for the task at hand. Using action verbs will help your resume sound convincing and make it stand out.Its also important to sprinkle in keywords taken directly from the job description. Having an understanding of industry jargon can help you stand out, and using the right terminology shows your attention to detail.There is one word you should avoid at all costs I. Instead of writing, I oversaw a team of six employees, you can simply write, Oversaw a team of six employees.5. Stick to One PageUnless you have years of high-level experience, keep your resume to one page. Recruiters and hiring managers review dozens, sometimes hundreds of resumes at a time. You have to get straight to the point.Its also crucial that your resume be easy to scan. Critical information, such as your contact information, should be easy to find. Important details should beclearly visible, not buried in lengthy paragraphs. 6. Update Your Social Media AccountsMake a LinkedIn account and include the URL in your resume. Make sure that your LinkedIn account and resume are consistentin terms of dates, places, and details.As for your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media accounts, review each one with care. Make your accounts private or remove any inappropriate content that you wouldnt want a future employer to see. 7. Edit, Edit, EditTriple check your resume for unnecessary words, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes. If you send out a resume riddled with typos, youll never get called in for an interview. When you think the document is pe rfect, ask some trusted relatives, coworkers, or friends to read it and provide their feedback.If youre not sure you cancraft a perfect resume on your own, you can always hire a professional resume writer. However, no one knows your experience as well as you do, so at least give it a shot.- When youre ready to apply for that first job, keep these seven resume tips in mind. With a strong, concise resume on hand, youre sure to land the right job in no timeCat Thomas is director of marketing for Broadstone Brickell.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.