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What are the best ways to improve my resume?
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Doc’s Answer
Jessica almost any job that you’re applying for as a high schooler will understand that you probably don’t have a ton of work experience to write about. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t “wow” them! If you’re in high school, the most important things that appear on your resume are probably going to be school-related. This means classes, activities, sports, and clubs, as well as academic achievements. You might also have volunteer experience. Even tutoring a sibling or helping a neighbour can go on your resume. Think hard about what you’ve done with your life and don’t undersell yourself, and you’ll have a great resume in no time!
1. INCLUE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
You probably have an email address and a cell phone, so those should be displayed in a prominent place on the page. Instead of putting your full address, as some other sources might advise, it’s now becoming common only to include your city and region since most people are no longer sending out snail mail. Many people, including high schoolers, have websites, blogs, and social media accounts. If you have a link to something that you’re very proud of and want to show to potential employers, you should include it. It might not relate directly to the job you’re looking for, but it can provide proof of other traits you write on your resume. Just make sure it is completely clean of anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.
2. WRITE A KILLER RESUME SUMARY
Here’s a critical section many people forego in order to fit more experiences on their resume: the resume objective. That’s because a career objective paints a big picture of you that your limited experiences as a high school student can’t; it highlights your skills and what you can contribute in a succinct paragraph. Employers already know that you want their job, so instead it’s better to write an “elevator pitch” at the top of the page that will help your potential employer understand you as a person and remember what’s on your resume. This is a tremendous help to hiring and HR manager, who often lack the time to thoroughly peruse each and every resume they receive.
3. INCLUDE A SKILL SECTION
You will find the required skills and qualifications listed in the job posting for most jobs listed online. If they aren’t listed, review the requirements for similar jobs to help generate a list of applicable skills. Highlight the skills that are the closest match to the job on your resume.
• Communication – Skills that refers to your ability to both convey information to others and to listen. This skill includes oral and written communication.
• Dependability/Responsible – Employers seek teenagers who are mature and whom they can rely on to show up on time and get the job done. Emphasize your responsible nature.
• Quick Learner – Employers typically don’t expect high school students to know all the skills they need for a job right away. However, they will expect you to pick up new skills quickly.
• Teamwork – Many jobs for high school students involve working on a team, include in your resume examples of times that you worked well as part of a team.
4. HIGHLIGHT YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR & VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES
The work experience portion of a standard resume can easily be replaced by a section describing your involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer groups, or both. You can also include your hobbies and interests on your resume if they reflect positive qualities that transfer to the workplace.
5. INCLUDE RELEVANT COURSE WORK
To help further convince hiring managers you’re the best candidate, it’s crucial that you include any coursework related to the position you’re applying for. Make sure you include the courses you’ve taken to illustrate your exceptional communication and people skills — in the education section of their resume. Can you see why listing these classes would help this candidate stand out to employers? It’s easier to fill a vacancy with someone who has some experience or familiarity with the role or industry, even if that background is purely foundational. Why? It’ll be easier to train these candidates instead of those with zero background knowledge.
Hope this was Helpful Jessica
1. INCLUE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
You probably have an email address and a cell phone, so those should be displayed in a prominent place on the page. Instead of putting your full address, as some other sources might advise, it’s now becoming common only to include your city and region since most people are no longer sending out snail mail. Many people, including high schoolers, have websites, blogs, and social media accounts. If you have a link to something that you’re very proud of and want to show to potential employers, you should include it. It might not relate directly to the job you’re looking for, but it can provide proof of other traits you write on your resume. Just make sure it is completely clean of anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.
2. WRITE A KILLER RESUME SUMARY
Here’s a critical section many people forego in order to fit more experiences on their resume: the resume objective. That’s because a career objective paints a big picture of you that your limited experiences as a high school student can’t; it highlights your skills and what you can contribute in a succinct paragraph. Employers already know that you want their job, so instead it’s better to write an “elevator pitch” at the top of the page that will help your potential employer understand you as a person and remember what’s on your resume. This is a tremendous help to hiring and HR manager, who often lack the time to thoroughly peruse each and every resume they receive.
3. INCLUDE A SKILL SECTION
You will find the required skills and qualifications listed in the job posting for most jobs listed online. If they aren’t listed, review the requirements for similar jobs to help generate a list of applicable skills. Highlight the skills that are the closest match to the job on your resume.
• Communication – Skills that refers to your ability to both convey information to others and to listen. This skill includes oral and written communication.
• Dependability/Responsible – Employers seek teenagers who are mature and whom they can rely on to show up on time and get the job done. Emphasize your responsible nature.
• Quick Learner – Employers typically don’t expect high school students to know all the skills they need for a job right away. However, they will expect you to pick up new skills quickly.
• Teamwork – Many jobs for high school students involve working on a team, include in your resume examples of times that you worked well as part of a team.
4. HIGHLIGHT YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR & VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES
The work experience portion of a standard resume can easily be replaced by a section describing your involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer groups, or both. You can also include your hobbies and interests on your resume if they reflect positive qualities that transfer to the workplace.
5. INCLUDE RELEVANT COURSE WORK
To help further convince hiring managers you’re the best candidate, it’s crucial that you include any coursework related to the position you’re applying for. Make sure you include the courses you’ve taken to illustrate your exceptional communication and people skills — in the education section of their resume. Can you see why listing these classes would help this candidate stand out to employers? It’s easier to fill a vacancy with someone who has some experience or familiarity with the role or industry, even if that background is purely foundational. Why? It’ll be easier to train these candidates instead of those with zero background knowledge.
Hope this was Helpful Jessica
Thank You Kiirsten. “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.” – Erma Bombeck
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Thank You Carmene. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn
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Thank You Ramsay. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
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Updated
Julian’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
The top 3 things i would keep in mind are:
- Tailor your resume to the job your applying for.
- Keep your resume to one page.
- Group your relevant work experience together; even if it's seperated between jobs.
The top 3 things i would keep in mind are:
- Tailor your resume to the job your applying for.
- Keep your resume to one page.
- Group your relevant work experience together; even if it's seperated between jobs.
Jennifer Dzmura-Denney, MA, CCC, CPRW, ECC
Career Coaching/Resume Writing
21
Answers
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer, (CPRW). I work remotely for a large company providing career services to individuals who are being laid off from their job. As part of their severance package they have our services to assist. This includes resumes, cover letters, Linked In Profiles, thank you letters, and interviewing coaching. Resumes should rarely be more than 2 pages. Keep your fonts to 11 or 12 points and chose a clear lettering font. Start with your name and contact information at the top. Here is an outline for a basic resume:
Name/Contact
Career Summary ( a short paragraph about what you can bring to the position)
Career Experience
Volunteer Experience
Awards
Education
I also recommend having a cover letter addressing the positions specific requirements and how you meet those skills. Make time for some free utube time to learn Advanced Microsoft Word to help you format your resume. It is always great to have matching formats for your resume and cover letter!
I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer, (CPRW). I work remotely for a large company providing career services to individuals who are being laid off from their job. As part of their severance package they have our services to assist. This includes resumes, cover letters, Linked In Profiles, thank you letters, and interviewing coaching. Resumes should rarely be more than 2 pages. Keep your fonts to 11 or 12 points and chose a clear lettering font. Start with your name and contact information at the top. Here is an outline for a basic resume:
Name/Contact
Career Summary ( a short paragraph about what you can bring to the position)
Career Experience
Volunteer Experience
Awards
Education
I also recommend having a cover letter addressing the positions specific requirements and how you meet those skills. Make time for some free utube time to learn Advanced Microsoft Word to help you format your resume. It is always great to have matching formats for your resume and cover letter!
Updated
Claire’s Answer
You ant to keep your resume to the point and highlight the most important aspects abut yourself, your education, your experience, that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you are including examples of projects you've worked on, I would give a high level overview of your role in the project and the skills you used & learned during the project.
If you are detailing more than one project, try to show your range of skills and strengths - perhaps by including one individual projects and one group project, or two different projects that required you to use different skillsets.
If you don't have any related experience, think about your transferable skills from other areas such as volunteering experience, are you a member of any clubs & societies, have you worked in part time roles during your education - all of these experiences required you to utilize your skillset and learn new skills.
If you are including examples of projects you've worked on, I would give a high level overview of your role in the project and the skills you used & learned during the project.
If you are detailing more than one project, try to show your range of skills and strengths - perhaps by including one individual projects and one group project, or two different projects that required you to use different skillsets.
If you don't have any related experience, think about your transferable skills from other areas such as volunteering experience, are you a member of any clubs & societies, have you worked in part time roles during your education - all of these experiences required you to utilize your skillset and learn new skills.
Updated
Lucie’s Answer
Many ways to improve your resume, you have a lot of great answers here. I would add:
#1 Make a pertinent header
First thing a hiring manager will read is your name at the top. Make sure to have 3 bullet points side by side under your name with a summary of your skills. Example for a data analyst
*Detail oriented*Data Driven*Cross-Collaboration*
It helps the reader to immediately situate you without even reading a line of your resume.
#2 Make sure you have 3 distinct parts
Experience, Education, Skills/Certifications/Hobbies
#3 Formatting matters
Keep your resume crisp and clear. Same bullets, same space between paragraphs, same police, etc. This shows your attention to details which is always a good thing to display.
Finally I would review my resume with an engine to ensure I have the right terms, actionable verbs, syntax, no cluster words, etc.
https://www.jobscan.co/?gclid=CjwKCAjwt8uGBhBAEiwAayu_9b4RX0Q3ZV223ni7YKsm_60wcxmZqd29xbVDQqZUkGNEDfCq23dd-RoCb08QAvD_BwE#uploadWrapperhttps://www.jobscan.co/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=nb
Hope this help,
Cheers
#1 Make a pertinent header
First thing a hiring manager will read is your name at the top. Make sure to have 3 bullet points side by side under your name with a summary of your skills. Example for a data analyst
*Detail oriented*Data Driven*Cross-Collaboration*
It helps the reader to immediately situate you without even reading a line of your resume.
#2 Make sure you have 3 distinct parts
Experience, Education, Skills/Certifications/Hobbies
#3 Formatting matters
Keep your resume crisp and clear. Same bullets, same space between paragraphs, same police, etc. This shows your attention to details which is always a good thing to display.
Finally I would review my resume with an engine to ensure I have the right terms, actionable verbs, syntax, no cluster words, etc.
https://www.jobscan.co/?gclid=CjwKCAjwt8uGBhBAEiwAayu_9b4RX0Q3ZV223ni7YKsm_60wcxmZqd29xbVDQqZUkGNEDfCq23dd-RoCb08QAvD_BwE#uploadWrapperhttps://www.jobscan.co/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=nb
Hope this help,
Cheers
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Jessica! Proofreading is important so I suggest having someone review over your resume before you submit it.
Updated
Kiirsten’s Answer
Hello there, Jessica!
John made some really good points above-- I would just add to have someone proofread your resume before you submit it. Resume's are just a little peak at what kind of employee you might be, so make sure your resume is buttoned up :).
Good luck!
John made some really good points above-- I would just add to have someone proofread your resume before you submit it. Resume's are just a little peak at what kind of employee you might be, so make sure your resume is buttoned up :).
Good luck!
Updated
Fiwany’s Answer
Hi, I want to echo all of the previous suggestions and would like to add that you could include other projects or competitions you have participated in. For example, a number of high school students include science fair projects. I would also include your GPA and any honors/awards you have received. Don't forget that you can also include any other volunteer/leadership/project experience from outside of school. Make sure you have a clear and consistent formatting throughout and keep your margins the same for all sides.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
Hi Jessica, There is some great advice above. You can also work with a recruiter to improve your resume. Recruiters will fix up your resume and help you find a job at no cost to you. This is a great option since they'll be familiar with your background and what employers are looking for in their future employees. Best of luck!
Updated
Blake’s Answer
Hey Jessica,
The best advice I would give is to keep it to one page and the most relevant information. Try to avoid jobs from years prior if you've had jobs more recent.
The best advice I would give is to keep it to one page and the most relevant information. Try to avoid jobs from years prior if you've had jobs more recent.
Updated
Akhilesh’s Answer
In addition to all the great points above, I would say you should add your LinkedIn information at the top of your resume near the section where you put your name, email address. A lot of recruiters/hiring managers/interviewers do look at your linkedin profile before interviewing you. So it is important to also keep your Linkedin page up-to-date. Education and skills should be at the top as you are early career stage. I would suggest you look up some sample job applications in the area you are looking for, and find the keywords commonly used in these applications. Make sure to incorporate these keywords into your resume. With a huge volume of applicants, recruiters do use keyword searches to narrow down on resumes with the most relevant skills! I hope that helps.
Updated
Ingre’s Answer
Hi, I definitely recommend:
- highlighting keywords from the job description and ensuring many of them are present in your resume
- read your resume out loud to hear how it reads
- it is important to have 2-3 people proofread your resume for any simple mistakes
- quantify any impact you had on a project or output, when possible
- highlighting keywords from the job description and ensuring many of them are present in your resume
- read your resume out loud to hear how it reads
- it is important to have 2-3 people proofread your resume for any simple mistakes
- quantify any impact you had on a project or output, when possible
Updated
Santhana’s Answer
1) Keep your resume short and skimmable. ...
2) Have multiple versions of your resume. ...
3) Bypass ATS with resume keywords. ...
4) Highlight transferable skills. ...
5) Quantify your impact with concrete metrics. ...
6) Get on board with remote work. ...
7) Update and link your social media profiles.
Good luck!
2) Have multiple versions of your resume. ...
3) Bypass ATS with resume keywords. ...
4) Highlight transferable skills. ...
5) Quantify your impact with concrete metrics. ...
6) Get on board with remote work. ...
7) Update and link your social media profiles.
Good luck!