Writing a resume is a process within itself, but it can be ten times more daunting when you have no work experience. You might know what skills you possess, but that can be hard to prove on a resume. How does it all go down on the page, and in what order? Below, we set out how to write a killer resume — whether you have experience or not.
Resume Length
The good news is that resumes don’t need to be pages and pages long. Just one page will do. When recruiters sift through resumes, they glance at the key points, such as skills, work experience, qualifications and education. Therefore, the resume of job applicants should be concise so that HR can read the relevant content. Fresh graduates should limit their resume to 1 page of A4 paper.
Resume Template
Don’t use fancy resume templates. This may look distracting and, sometimes, unprofessional. The principle of choosing a template is beautiful and easy for HR to find core keywords, while the form is for content service. It is better to use small icons, lines, colored and bold fonts etc. in your resume to distinguish modules and highlight key points.
Resume Title
There is no need to use “Resume” or “My Resume”. Simply use your name as the title and attach contact relevant information at the bottom.
Self-evaluation
The most common formula for your resume is: “summary + achievement + ability + personality”. These should be uniquely written and reflect your personal advantages. It will hold no meaning if written like a blank canvas for anyone to use.
Work Experience
Work experience is the most relevant content in the resume. HR judges whether the job applicant can match the position. The key depends on whether the work experience is appropriate. Emphasize your education instead and include projects, soft and hard skills, and internships relevant to the job position.
Educational experience
It is only necessary to write more in detail in case of double degrees, postgraduates, or undergraduates. Many college students will write professional courses on their resumes, but this is not as important unless they are directly related to the job credentials.
Awards and Honors
If you have won a scholarship in a school, or took part in a contest and achieved a good ranking, note down the relevant grades, rankings, and results. This section doesn’t need to be particularly complicated, just brief yet effective. Consider combining similar items, such as the awards of the same year and the same category.
Skill Certificates
Skills certificates include foreign language proficiency, computer certificates, various examination certificates, etc. As long as they are closely related to the job position, they should be written in the resume. Some skills will be a bonus when applying for specialist positions. For example, when applying for a designer role, Photoshop and video editing skills are necessary to include.
Hobbies
Hobbies can reflect the personality and mentality of job seekers to a certain extent. Therefore, you can write hobbies that match the job title and company culture on your resume. For example, writing that you like long-distance running or mountain climbing will reflect your willpower and persistence. Applying to various positions can give you extra points.
Read more: Can We Transform a Hobby into a Career?
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