What Is A Resume And How Do I Make One?
Let’s understand the components of a resume, the role it plays in the job application process and the steps to creating your first one.
FIRST, WHY DO I EVEN NEED A JOB?
Yes, jobs are great for providing a way to pay bills, buy essentials and even to afford fun things, but that’s not everything there is to having a job.
A job can also provide an important part of your sense of identity and accomplishment. It also fills an important social role in your life while you, in turn, fill an important role in your community. You’ll learn communication, collaboration and logistical skills at work, and refine your interests as well. These skills are considered essential for job and life readiness. Read more about 21st Century Skills and what you need to succeed. https://bit.ly/newskillsnewcentury
HOW DO I EVEN LOOK FOR A JOB?
Word of mouth— Ask around! Friends, teachers, store owners, people you meet in your field, all of them may know of a job opening that you can apply for. This is called networking and most jobs are filled this way!
Contact Businesses— Call or email places you would like to work and ask if there are any open positions.
Volunteer or do an internship with a company you are interested in working for to get your foot in the door.
Set up a free account and search/apply for jobs on your local newspapers or sites like LinkedIn, monster.com or indeed.com.
As you begin looking for a job, you’ll need to prepare a resume.
WHAT IS A RESUME AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
PURPOSE OF A RESUME
To market yourself to employers
Show off what you have to offer (skills, experience, education, training)
And, most importantly: To land a job interview!
First impressions count!
Most employers spend 30 seconds (or less!) looking at a resume. In those 30 seconds, your resume needs to be:
Easy to read
One page long (max 2)
Error-free
Tailored to each job you are applying for
Emphasize the skills/experience you have that are needed for that specific job posting
HOW DO I MAKE MY FIRST RESUME?
Parts Of A Resume
There are 4-5 sections that every resume will have:
Contact Information
Name
Mailing address
Phone
Email (use or create a professional email address that ideally utilizes your full name, including first and last names)
Education
List any education or training you’ve completed or are in the process of completing in this section
Degree/Certificate
Major
School Name
Dates attended
Certificate Programs
These are short-term programs (usually under a year) that focus on applied job and skills training.
Benefit: Helps you enter the workforce quickly.
List your certificates under the Certifications section of your resume.
Associate’s Degrees
These are two-year degree programs that can provide specific job/skills training, or can be transferred/applied to complete a 4-year college degree program
Benefit: More in-depth training than a certificate.
List your Associate Degree under the Education section of your resume.
Bachelor’s Degrees
These are four-year degree programs that provide in-depth job/skills training. Some bachelor’s degrees are offered at tribal colleges or you can attend any four-year university.
Benefit: There is more of a long-term commitment to see a payoff but once you do, it’s usually (but not always!) more of a payoff than a certificate or associate’s degree.
List your Bachelor’s Degree under the Education section of your resume.
Work Experience
Entries should start at the top with most recent work, volunteer, internship or apprenticeship positions you have held, and move backwards chronologically. Each entry should include:
Job Title
Employer
Location (City and State. Include Country if out of the United States)
Start and End Dates
Description of your job duties and any specific project, promotion or accomplishment that stand sout
No job experience? List skills you know you have that would be applicable to the job you are applying for. See our How Do I Get and Keep a Job? article for ideas on how to represent your experience if you haven’t had “job” jobs.
Special Skills
Describe skills and hands-on experience you have in areas that are applicable to the job. See link above for some ideas.
Optional Resume Sections
References
List 2-3 (most employers want three) references, or people your potential employer can call to verify your character, work ethic and abilities. Mentors, teachers, neighbors and past employers make good references.
Certifications
Awards and Achievements you’ve received or been nominated for, even if you didn’t win, it’s impressive that you were nominated.
Volunteer Work and other relevant unpaid work (with contact information) if applicable.
Watch
How to write the BEST resume– template and examples included:
Once you have your resume, you may be asked to attach it to a cover letter.
WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?
A cover letter’s purpose is to briefly introduce yourself to the hiring manager while offering you a chance to describe your interest in the job and why you would be a good fit for the position.
Not every job application requires a cover letter, but they can make a good impression with the employer. If you apply for a job by email, the body of the email essentially functions as the cover letter. You want the employer to be motivated to open your attached resume and to call you in for a job interview.
Tips for writing a cover letter
Just like the resume, tailor or customize the cover letter to each job you are applying for.
Use keywords that were listed in the job description.
Explain why you’re interested in the job and how you meet the job requirements.
Keep it under one page in length.
Doublecheck for typos and errors.
You can search online for cover letter templates or use a website with a free cover letter builder program like the ones available on RU Ready.
Watch
Write An Amazing Cover Letter (template included)
WHAT IF THERE IS A JOB APPLICATION TOO?
Some jobs will have an application that they want you to submit with your resume and cover letter. This application may be digital or printed on paper. Here are some tips for successfully filling out the job application:
First, read through the application so you know what information they are asking you to provide;
Gather any documents you need (driver’s license, etc.);
Fill out a paper application with a pen that has blue or black ink, or follow the instructions for the online form provided;
Write neatly and slowly, or if online, compose your responses in another software or google doc so you can fully edit and spell check it before pasting your responses into the form;
Doublecheck to ensure all of the information has been filled out or uploaded per the instructions.
Once you’ve submitted your application, along with a resume and cover letter, your next step is to prepare for your job interview!
Good luck; we believe in you.
What Is A Resume And How Do I Make One? by Iman Moore and Dyana Valentine is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0