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How can I stand out when applying for colleges, internships, and jobs?
I want to be able to build a strong profile that catches the eyes of recruiters, and managers.
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2 answers
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Hello Jiajun!
You have so much more potential than you probably realize, and standing out starts with leaning into the things that make you *you*. Colleges, internships, and employers aren’t just looking for perfect resumes, they are looking for curiosity, passion, and initiative. So whether you’re leading a club, volunteering, creating art, building something, or simply exploring an interest that excites you, those experiences already set you apart. When you follow what genuinely interests you, it shows confidence and drive, and people notice that!
Another powerful way to shine is by learning how to share your story with pride. Your applications, essays, and interviews are opportunities to show how your experiences have shaped you and where you hope to grow next. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet...but what matters is showing that you’re eager to learn, willing to try, and brave enough to take the next step. You are building a future that’s uniquely yours, and each choice you make now is already helping you stand out in all the right ways!
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
Practice telling your story out loud: what you enjoy, what inspires you, and what you’re curious to learn next. This builds confidence for essays and interviews.
Pick one interest you’re excited about and commit to exploring it more deeply over the next few months...join a club, start a small project, or find a volunteer opportunity related to it.
Ask a teacher, coach, or mentor for feedback on your strengths and ideas. They often see potential in you that you might overlook.
You have so much more potential than you probably realize, and standing out starts with leaning into the things that make you *you*. Colleges, internships, and employers aren’t just looking for perfect resumes, they are looking for curiosity, passion, and initiative. So whether you’re leading a club, volunteering, creating art, building something, or simply exploring an interest that excites you, those experiences already set you apart. When you follow what genuinely interests you, it shows confidence and drive, and people notice that!
Another powerful way to shine is by learning how to share your story with pride. Your applications, essays, and interviews are opportunities to show how your experiences have shaped you and where you hope to grow next. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet...but what matters is showing that you’re eager to learn, willing to try, and brave enough to take the next step. You are building a future that’s uniquely yours, and each choice you make now is already helping you stand out in all the right ways!
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
Kelly recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the advice, Kelly.
Jiajun
Updated
Cliff’s Answer
Hi Jiajun,
Good question! There are a number of things you can do to stand out.
Start with a great resume. Spend some time with guidance counselors and there are even some classes/seminars on how to write a good resume - look into this and take it seriously. The average resume will be reviewed in about 10 seconds or so, so it's really important. I want to see a ONE PAGE resume and multi-page resumes get discarded quickly. Resumes should at least include your name, email, education (GPA should be listed), Experience (jobs you've done), relevant skills, and other key things to make you stand out (e.g. publications). If you have done software development or similar, post a link to you github or example coding skills. I know some people would have different resumes for different companies to change career goals or highlight certain skills differently.
Study hard and get good grades. There's no substitute for showing you can deliver on the opportunities you've been given. If you don't get good grades, you need to be able to explain why (e.g. working your way through school or similar).
Push hard to get a shadowing experience (prior to college) and an internship when you go to college. Shadowing can start in grade school - my son did a shadowing with doctors in 5th grade - he is now a pediatrician. Go to career fairs whenever they are close to you - it might be good to travel to a neighboring school if their career fair looks promising.
PREPARE for interactions you will have with recruiters at career fair. Dress like you are serious about a role with the company - not necessarily a suit and tie, but not cutoffs/tshirt/flip flops. You should have an 'elevator pitch' of what you can do and why someone should hire you - it would be good to practice this in front of a mirror beforehand, so it comes off believable and professional. Start the elevator pitch immediately as you hand them your resume. RESEARCH companies you are interested in for internships - don't just walk up to them cold and have no idea what they do or what they could offer. ASK TARGETED QUESTIONS about the company and opportunities.
Leverage contacts you have. Talk to family, friends, guidance counselors, career placement people, etc. who have/know about jobs in areas you're interested in. Have them help you get your foot in the door and circulate your resume - you never know what might work for a job opportunity.
Practice your communication skills. You want to be engaging, attentive, and relatable with everyone you interact. Maintain eye contact while engaging people - don't be distracted by your phone or others during conversations. Your personality is another key part of selling yourself.
I know this is a lot, but standing out is hard work. You need to focus on it, practice it, and follow through for success.
Good luck.
Good question! There are a number of things you can do to stand out.
Start with a great resume. Spend some time with guidance counselors and there are even some classes/seminars on how to write a good resume - look into this and take it seriously. The average resume will be reviewed in about 10 seconds or so, so it's really important. I want to see a ONE PAGE resume and multi-page resumes get discarded quickly. Resumes should at least include your name, email, education (GPA should be listed), Experience (jobs you've done), relevant skills, and other key things to make you stand out (e.g. publications). If you have done software development or similar, post a link to you github or example coding skills. I know some people would have different resumes for different companies to change career goals or highlight certain skills differently.
Study hard and get good grades. There's no substitute for showing you can deliver on the opportunities you've been given. If you don't get good grades, you need to be able to explain why (e.g. working your way through school or similar).
Push hard to get a shadowing experience (prior to college) and an internship when you go to college. Shadowing can start in grade school - my son did a shadowing with doctors in 5th grade - he is now a pediatrician. Go to career fairs whenever they are close to you - it might be good to travel to a neighboring school if their career fair looks promising.
PREPARE for interactions you will have with recruiters at career fair. Dress like you are serious about a role with the company - not necessarily a suit and tie, but not cutoffs/tshirt/flip flops. You should have an 'elevator pitch' of what you can do and why someone should hire you - it would be good to practice this in front of a mirror beforehand, so it comes off believable and professional. Start the elevator pitch immediately as you hand them your resume. RESEARCH companies you are interested in for internships - don't just walk up to them cold and have no idea what they do or what they could offer. ASK TARGETED QUESTIONS about the company and opportunities.
Leverage contacts you have. Talk to family, friends, guidance counselors, career placement people, etc. who have/know about jobs in areas you're interested in. Have them help you get your foot in the door and circulate your resume - you never know what might work for a job opportunity.
Practice your communication skills. You want to be engaging, attentive, and relatable with everyone you interact. Maintain eye contact while engaging people - don't be distracted by your phone or others during conversations. Your personality is another key part of selling yourself.
I know this is a lot, but standing out is hard work. You need to focus on it, practice it, and follow through for success.
Good luck.
Thank you, Cliff!
Jiajun