Student Job Link's Resources

Writing a solid resume can seem like a daunting task, but if you follow these steps, you can have a first draft completed in very little time.  Once you have that draft, let it sit for a day, and then go back  and revise it with an eye towards grammar and conciseness, then ask a family member, friend, academic advisor, etc. to review it for you and make suggestions.

Here are the steps:

1.    Be aware of the type of job you are applying for.  Depending on your specific industry of choice, the sections of your resume may vary.  You can start with a basic outline, but it pays to customize the resume depending on where you will submit it.

2.    When you find a job listing that you want to apply for, copy down the job description and have it on hand.  The keywords used in the job description are ones that you want to keep in mind when you are writing your resume. To enhance your ability to tap into the power of keywords click here .

3.    Similar to step 2, try to get a job description of positions you have held in the past.  These descriptions highlight the important points of that position, which you can use when writing your Experience section.

4.    Generate a list of keywords based on steps 2 and 3, and also any skills you developed during your education.  These keywords include specific skills that will be sued in your job.  For example, if you are applying to a position related to computer science, then keywords would be the programming languages you are familiar with. To be able to identify your  skills more accurately check out this resource .

5.    Create a list of all of your past employment positions with dates, listed in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest).  Make a quick list of your responsibilities in those positions, using the job descriptions you compiled in step 3.

6.    Go through each of the entries in your employment history and look for instances where you performed well.  If you worked in sales and your efforts resulted in the company’s 10% increase in sales, then mark it down.  Refer back to the job description that you are applying for to generate ideas. Note any major achievements.

7.    Take all of these lists, accomplishments, and keywords and turn them into sentences.

8.    Take a day off, then come back and revise your resume, shortening where possible and clarifying where needed.  Also, write a series of 4-5 sentences highlighting your personal characteristics that will be of interest to an employer.  This is your qualifications summary, sometimes called a profile. To enhance your ability to profile yourself check out this resource by clicking here .

9.    Lastly, have someone else read your resume and incorporate their feedback.  Also, check the “More resources” section of this page for links to sample resumes that you can use for comparison.

More resources:
•    Resume Resource

•    Susan Ireland Resumes

•    Resumes and Cover Letters