6 answers
Amy
Student
Hollywood, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
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How do I boost my resume?
How do I boost my resume as a person who does not have a lot of experience so that employers will hire me? What are the best tips to improve in this area?
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1350
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Keep in mind Amy, employers are searching for a combination of soft skills and hard skills. Soft skills are abilities you can apply to almost any position, such as team leadership, verbal communication or time-management. Hard or technical skills are practices you learn through specialized education or on-the-job training like proficiency in industry-related software or fluency in a foreign language. If you have training or certifications, you can include these on your resume also, which can show your employer you're motivated and want the role.
One important detail is to be truthful on your resume. It can be tempting to stretch the details in hopes of gaining the hiring manager's attention, but it's better to be upfront about your lack of work experience. Honesty truly is the best policy.
When hiring for entry-level jobs, most employers value soft skills over hard skills because soft skills are harder to teach. It's acceptable if you haven't yet cultivated all the hard skills you need for a position, by sharing you're capable of building new skills and learning new processes, employers determine your value as a potential new employee.
Good luck Amy
One important detail is to be truthful on your resume. It can be tempting to stretch the details in hopes of gaining the hiring manager's attention, but it's better to be upfront about your lack of work experience. Honesty truly is the best policy.
When hiring for entry-level jobs, most employers value soft skills over hard skills because soft skills are harder to teach. It's acceptable if you haven't yet cultivated all the hard skills you need for a position, by sharing you're capable of building new skills and learning new processes, employers determine your value as a potential new employee.
Good luck Amy
Your advice was so helpful!
Amy
Sam Idele
Information Security
9
Answers
Cypress, Texas
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Hello Amy,
Every accomplished professional was once a beginner, so don't let your lack of experience discourage you - it's a hurdle that can certainly be overcome! When you're just starting out, focus on the strengths you already possess. Consider your academic accomplishments, such as school projects where you showcased your leadership abilities, or the relevant courses you've completed. Don't forget about that summer internship, either.
Did you participate in a club or engage in volunteer work? Be sure to include these experiences. The goal is to highlight the skills and determination you possess. In essence, you want to showcase any activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or other valuable soft skills.
When crafting your resume, ensure it aligns with the job you're targeting by emphasizing the parts of your story that are most relevant. Remember, it's not solely about what you've accomplished, but also about how ready and well-positioned you are for learning and growth.
Stay authentic, radiate enthusiasm, and let potential employers see your eagerness to learn and advance in your career.
Every accomplished professional was once a beginner, so don't let your lack of experience discourage you - it's a hurdle that can certainly be overcome! When you're just starting out, focus on the strengths you already possess. Consider your academic accomplishments, such as school projects where you showcased your leadership abilities, or the relevant courses you've completed. Don't forget about that summer internship, either.
Did you participate in a club or engage in volunteer work? Be sure to include these experiences. The goal is to highlight the skills and determination you possess. In essence, you want to showcase any activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or other valuable soft skills.
When crafting your resume, ensure it aligns with the job you're targeting by emphasizing the parts of your story that are most relevant. Remember, it's not solely about what you've accomplished, but also about how ready and well-positioned you are for learning and growth.
Stay authentic, radiate enthusiasm, and let potential employers see your eagerness to learn and advance in your career.
Sam, thank you!
Amy
Amanda Lee
Tax professional
12
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Amy,
When you’re applying for your first or second job, it is important to highlight transferable skills from all sorts of activities, not just traditional employment. For example, you could include participation/leadership in high school or college clubs. When including these, you can discuss transferable skills such as project management, team leadership, skills with technology tools, etc. Your experience may have more transferable skills than you expect! One thing I like to do is use chat gpt and say: I have experience in “XX” and am trying to get an “XX” job— what are some transferable skills?
When you’re applying for your first or second job, it is important to highlight transferable skills from all sorts of activities, not just traditional employment. For example, you could include participation/leadership in high school or college clubs. When including these, you can discuss transferable skills such as project management, team leadership, skills with technology tools, etc. Your experience may have more transferable skills than you expect! One thing I like to do is use chat gpt and say: I have experience in “XX” and am trying to get an “XX” job— what are some transferable skills?
Thank you so much for the advice.
Amy
Sarah Cockrell, MBA, MSCM
Organizational Development (Learning & Development and HR Learning Technology)
11
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
If you’re lacking work experience, consider volunteering at a local community center and listing it on your resume. Include the skills you learned from volunteering, like communication and teamwork.
Also, if you’re involved in sports teams or clubs at school, mention that too. Highlight the skills you’ve gained, such as leadership and creative thinking. If you have any technical skills, like programming, be sure to list those as well.
Employers understand that high school students may not have lots of work experience. So, think about your other activities and include any achievements or skills that relate to the job you’re applying for.
Also, if you’re involved in sports teams or clubs at school, mention that too. Highlight the skills you’ve gained, such as leadership and creative thinking. If you have any technical skills, like programming, be sure to list those as well.
Employers understand that high school students may not have lots of work experience. So, think about your other activities and include any achievements or skills that relate to the job you’re applying for.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Amy
Avirup Ray
Student
23
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Avirup’s Answer
Focus more on other skills you have from Microsoft Word, PowerPoint etc to Photoshop. Tailor the experiences you do have to fit the key points on the job description. Add your hobbies and other interests.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Amy
Mandar Chitale
Manager
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Mandar’s Answer
- Customize your resume to match the specific job you're applying for.
- Ensure it's brief and simple to read.
- Research and incorporate pertinent keywords.
- Emphasize your achievements to make it compelling.
- Adapt it to meet the needs of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Steer clear of using acronyms without proper explanation.
- Include your skills, areas of expertise, and any relevant certifications.
- Ensure it's brief and simple to read.
- Research and incorporate pertinent keywords.
- Emphasize your achievements to make it compelling.
- Adapt it to meet the needs of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Steer clear of using acronyms without proper explanation.
- Include your skills, areas of expertise, and any relevant certifications.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Amy