I divided this article into two parts:
Writing the resume and formatting the resume, which, in my opinion, are equally important.
Writing the Resume
A few common questions/concerns.
I Don’t Have Any Experience. What Do I Do?
Everything counts!
List:
- Your volunteer work
- Your club experience
- Even those unrelated summer jobs you worked at the local ice cream shop
Contrary to popular belief, I do not recommend omitting unrelated experiences when you’re just starting out.
Yes, it will be tough—first jobs always are. You’ll feel like you don’t have the right experience because, quite frankly, you don’t. But I promise, it gets better.
For most people, replacing unrelated experience with another project might not make you stand out as much as you’d hope. Instead, showing hiring managers that you’re employable and can maintain a job does say something.
In every interview I had before landing my first internships, we discussed my experience working at a bubble tea shop: what I learned, how I resolved conflicts, and—at one company making POS software—we even brainstormed ways to improve their existing system!
Having a Master Resume
which is a document of all of your experiences.
For the following reasons:
- You will run out of space.
- You need to write things down as it happens or you will forget them.
How Do I Write Down My Experience?
The Google XYZ Format!
Google describes this as: "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]." To make it easier to remember, let's shorten it to X-Y-Z.
Show your impact
It can be hard to quantify your accomplishments sometimes. Therefore, it's important to reinforce a point I made earlier: write down everything you are involved with WHEN you are doing it!
Formatting the resume
Next step, formatting!
Choose the Right Template
Select a template that is professional and easy to read. While creativity can be a bonus, especially for roles that value design skills, ensure that the template doesn't detract from the content. No 2 column template, please!
Keep It to One Page
Especially for those early in their careers, a one-page resume is typically sufficient and recommended. This forces you to prioritize the most important information, ensuring that recruiters see your top achievements without having to search for them.
If you have extensive experience that justifies a second page, no you don’t make sure every piece of information on there adds significant value.
Proofread and Get Feedback
For typos and possible grammatical errors, ChatGPT is really your friend here.
Additionally, getting feedback from people in the industry can provide insights into how your resume can be improved from a technical standpoint.
Conclusion
Your resume is a marketing tool for yourself. It's the first step in showcasing your skills, experiences, and potential to an employer. By carefully writing and formatting your resume, you ensure that you present yourself in the best light possible.
Useful resources and URLs
What a good resume should look like: https://www.careercup.com/resume
xyz-formatter (Google’s xyz format): https://poe.com/xyzFormatter
ATS scanner: https://resumeworded.com/resume-scanner