Sometimes when first time job seekers sit down to prepare their first resume they stare at the blank page without knowing where to begin.
Part of the problem may be that they are not proficient at resume writing. Another issue might be that they have little or no actual work experience to include in their resume. However, first time job seekers should not let this stop them from creating a great first time resume.
Start by Gathering Personal Information
The only way to write a resume is to gather information about your personal skills, knowledge, education and work experience that would interest an employer. The best way to do that is to create a list.
Begin by writing down all your skills and knowledge. Are you flexible, creative and well organized? Do you know specialized computer software? Can you speak, read and write a foreign language fluently? Have you received any awards or honors for your abilities? And don’t forget to keep in mind the job posting is usually a great source for what the employer is seeking in a candidate.
Next, consider your educational background beyond high school. The average job seeker has a high school diploma, so what you need to consider are college-level courses, specialized training, technical school, workshops, certificate programs or anything else that would demonstrate your ability to get the job done.
Finally, create a list of where you have worked. As a first time job seeker you may not have much experience; however, be sure to consider volunteer work, summer jobs, internships, campus events, clubs and organizations, extra curricular activities or any other opportunities where you had a chance to be part of a team.
Keep in mind the whole purpose behind writing a resume is to communicate to a potential employer what you have to offer as a candidate. You want to make it clear and understandable, yet intriguing.
Organize Your Personal Information
Organizing all the information you have gathered into a resume requires you to understand what a resume looks like. There are a lot of styles and free examples available on the Internet. Or perhaps you have friends you can ask to give you guidance.
Typically, a resume will start with your contact information at the top. Below that many people still use an objective; however, a better bet is to add a resume headline which quickly communicates to the employer WIIFM: what’s in it for me (in this case the employer).
Then you can either jump right into your work experience followed by your education or you may want to include a small profile section where you focus on your skills and abilities. For first time resume writers this is a great way to add more information and fill what might otherwise be a rather empty page.
The Correct Words on a Resume Win the Job
Keep in mind as you write, however, that one of the most important aspects to creating a resume, whether it is your first or fifth time, is word choice. It’s not enough to just sling together a bunch of descriptive words on a blank piece of paper, you need to illustrate through your choice of words.
Remember the list of skills and abilities you created earlier? Now is the time to explain why they apply to you. Filler words, words that are all fluff and lack substance like the center of a Twinkie®, do little to help communicate to an employer that you have what it takes to do the job. Don’t just say you are motivated and detail oriented, create sentences that demonstrate your skill through previous actions.
If you organized an event, demonstrate your organization skills by describing what you did. If you created a marketing campaign, tell how creative you are by explaining how you got the job done.
Great resumes illustrate your skills and experience while offering clarity, content and cohesion. And that’s what first time job seekers need to know about resume writing.
And if you need help with planning your job search, read the article, "5 Steps for Planning an Effective Job Search Strategy."
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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