Your resumé is the first step to getting a job. It creates a first impression; documents your skills, experiences, and accomplishments; and can help you stand out in a crowded job market.
What to include
- Name and contact information
- A 1 to 2 sentence summary of what type of job you are seeking and your qualifications for such a position. If this is the only thing the employer reads, it should sell them on you in less than 30 seconds!
- Work experience: Include jobs, internships, and informal employment like babysitting, lawn care, pet sitting, etc.
- Volunteer or extracurricular experience: This is especially important if the activities are relevant or use skills that are transferable to the job that you’re applying for.
- Education: If you’ve taken any specialized classes that apply to the job or any college-level courses, list those. Include your GPA only if it’s 3.5 or higher.
- Skills and software proficiencies: List fluent languages and any other relevant skills like customer service, writing, subject matter expertise or software (design programs, Google Suite, Slack, Microsoft Excel, etc.)
Most Importantly – Check Your Spelling!
Use spell check after typing your resume, and don’t forget to proofread (and have a friend or two lend their eyes too) to make sure you don’t have any spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors on your resume.