From the Julian Krisnky Camps and Programs Blog
A resume is a vital document for developing your personal brand. Creating this important tool early and regularly updating it is essential for success. However, making your first resume can feel overwhelming. It’s challenging to know how to begin and what to include. Most likely, you will completely revise your resume during your college years. Many college career centers offer standardized templates for students to follow. Until you get that, here are some useful suggestions for crafting your first resume.
1. Brainstorm
Before you start writing, take the time to brainstorm the information you want to include. List the jobs, extracurricular activities, and leadership positions you are currently involved in or have held recently. Determine what content is relevant to your current objective (such as applying for a scholarship, job, internship, or college).
2. Stand out without going overboard
A well-designed resume is visually appealing! However, sending a resume that features multiple colors, different fonts, and images can come across as unprofessional, depending on your field of study. For example, an art student’s resume may look quite different than that of a business major. To err on the side of caution, stick to a single font throughout and avoid using sizes smaller than 10 points. Use bold and italic styling only when necessary.
3. Put it all together
Now that you have your content list, it’s time to type it up! Essential sections to include are: your name, contact information, education, activities and achievements, experience, and skills. Format the page as you see fit and input your content. When detailing your experiences, clearly explain your responsibilities in each role. Use present tense for current positions and past tense for those you’ve left. Aim for at least three bullet points for each experience. If you have held a position for less than a year, consider limiting the bullet points. Generally, keeping it under five unique and detailed bullet points is advisable. Resumes should provide a concise overview of your professional journey, so leave some topics out to ensure you have engaging points to discuss during interviews.
4. Proofread, proofread, proofread… oh and proofread
A resume filled with errors conveys to employers that the candidate lacks attention to detail and is not serious about the application. Therefore, it’s crucial to proofread thoroughly, make necessary adjustments, and then review it again the following day with a fresh perspective. Share your resume with a parent or a trusted teacher for constructive feedback. The more individuals who review your resume and offer insights, the higher the quality of the final product will be.
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