2 answers
Lauren
Student
Oxford, Mississippi
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the best way to make my resume stand out?
I am starting to apply for internships, some of which are very competitive, and I want to stand out among others who are applying. What is the best way to do so?
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2 answers
Diana Landas
Sr Manager, Insights and Knowledge
3
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Great question, and it can be had to do. All you can do is put your best foot forward. Start with making sure the internship (or future job) aligns with your skills and experience, or your desired learning path. You'd be surprised how many times I've read a resume and wondered why they bothered to apply as there was little alignment between their resume and my needs.
Ensure you are using the right keywords from the job description, AI has many tools for this. This makes it more likely you will make it to a short list.
Focus on your leadership experience from clubs and other activities. Since you have little work experience, lean into other ways you have used similar skills. Organized an intramural league? That sounds like project management.
Keep your resume clean and aesthetically pleasing. ATS scanners will not read graphics or images.
Focus on what you have achieved, especially those things that relate to the position. And quantify as much as you can. Say you organized an intramural pickleball league that included 43 players and had a season that spanned 10 weeks across 5 different courts with zero scheduling errors.
Good luck to you. That you are even asking tells me that your head is in the right place.
Ensure you are using the right keywords from the job description, AI has many tools for this. This makes it more likely you will make it to a short list.
Focus on your leadership experience from clubs and other activities. Since you have little work experience, lean into other ways you have used similar skills. Organized an intramural league? That sounds like project management.
Keep your resume clean and aesthetically pleasing. ATS scanners will not read graphics or images.
Focus on what you have achieved, especially those things that relate to the position. And quantify as much as you can. Say you organized an intramural pickleball league that included 43 players and had a season that spanned 10 weeks across 5 different courts with zero scheduling errors.
Good luck to you. That you are even asking tells me that your head is in the right place.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer I’ll take note of these tips!
Lauren
Kristine Johanning
Marketing Communications Specialist
12
Answers
Olathe, Kansas
Updated
Kristine’s Answer
Hi Lauren!
This is an excellent question to ask! I do recruiting at colleges for incoming interns or full time hires. When I start chatting with a candidate at a career fair, I look to see if they seem happy or at least interested in the company. We all know those days can be long, so start with where you have the most interest to keep your energy up! Before I ask any questions, I request the candidate gives a brief overview while I review at the resume. Have an "elevator pitch" ready to explain who you are and where your interests lie.
Make sure your resume is professional. My first glance should help me understand the key items you want to highlight. I should easily see your major, GPA, applicable projects/school work, and extracurriculars/hobbies. Keep it to one page. Depending on how far along you are in your collegiate journey, your projects may be school work or things you do for fun.
Be prepared to talk through processes. Emphasize the steps you took (yes, collaboration is important, but I want to hear "I" statements, not "we"). An outcome is ideal, even if it doesn't take full shape. Did you share with your class? Find a professional who would be interested in hearing your topic? Present at a conference? These things add up.
To truly stand out, have a basic understanding of the company and the spaces in which they work. Most won't expect you to know facts that you recite, but know how to pronounce the name and their industry. Overall, while technical skills are required, your personality and confidence also contribute to getting an interview. Be engaged, make eye contact, and stand tall.
Best of luck!
This is an excellent question to ask! I do recruiting at colleges for incoming interns or full time hires. When I start chatting with a candidate at a career fair, I look to see if they seem happy or at least interested in the company. We all know those days can be long, so start with where you have the most interest to keep your energy up! Before I ask any questions, I request the candidate gives a brief overview while I review at the resume. Have an "elevator pitch" ready to explain who you are and where your interests lie.
Make sure your resume is professional. My first glance should help me understand the key items you want to highlight. I should easily see your major, GPA, applicable projects/school work, and extracurriculars/hobbies. Keep it to one page. Depending on how far along you are in your collegiate journey, your projects may be school work or things you do for fun.
Be prepared to talk through processes. Emphasize the steps you took (yes, collaboration is important, but I want to hear "I" statements, not "we"). An outcome is ideal, even if it doesn't take full shape. Did you share with your class? Find a professional who would be interested in hearing your topic? Present at a conference? These things add up.
To truly stand out, have a basic understanding of the company and the spaces in which they work. Most won't expect you to know facts that you recite, but know how to pronounce the name and their industry. Overall, while technical skills are required, your personality and confidence also contribute to getting an interview. Be engaged, make eye contact, and stand tall.
Best of luck!
This was super insightful and gave me a new perspective on the recruitment process from the recruiters point of view, thank you!
Lauren