As a college student or recent graduate, a well-written resume is one of the most important things that can help you land an internship or a job. During your time in college, you’ve definitely developed skills, knowledge, and qualifications that will assist you in your transition into the professional world.
While you can always use a college resume builder to help you create a compelling resume, you should also know how to write one from scratch. That is why we’re going to take you through a step-by-step process of writing a college student resume. We’ll also give you some helpful tips to keep in mind.
A Guide for Writing a College Student Resume
The following are the key sections you should include when writing a college student resume:
Contact Information
It is highly recommended to begin your college student resume with your contact information. This section doesn’t require any flair, but rather, it should be factually correct.
Your contact information should include details such as your name, email address, phone number, and location. If you have a LinkedIn profile or a personal website, consider adding the links in this section.
Education
The education section is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of your college student resume. Everything you include in this section will help show the hiring manager that you’re a great fit for the opportunity and increase your chances of securing an interview. Some of the details you should include in this section are:
- The name of your school
- Date graduated or your expected graduation date
- Degree programme
- Any majors, minors, or coursework relevant to the job you’re applying for
Work Experience
The recruiter wants assurance that you can do the job you’re applying for. The best way to prove this is by listing all the jobs and internships you’ve had before, whether or not they’re relevant to the job you’re eyeing.
In this section, you may include all forms of work experience, such as:
- Internships
- Part-time jobs
- Summer jobs
- Freelancing experience
- Volunteer work
- Leadership positions
Every entry in this section should include the job title, company/institution, dates, and a few bullet points of responsibilities and duties you’ve performed.
Key Skills
During your time in college, you’ve likely acquired some valuable skills. That said, try to provide a healthy blend of hard skills and soft skills you’ve acquired over the years that may be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Hard skills can be taught, tested, or measured in some way. On the other hand, soft skills are personal qualities that make you great to work with.
Tips for Writing a Strong and Compelling College Student Resume
Here are helpful tips to help you make a winning college student resume:
- Choose a well-organised resume format.
- Be clear and consistent throughout the resume.
- Ensure your college student resume can pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
- Prioritise education and experience on your resume.
- Use a professional and easy-to-read font.
- Proofread your resume before submitting it.
Create a Strong College Student Resume
Writing a college student resume is an exciting adventure for most college students and recent graduates. By following the above guidelines and best practices, you can easily create a strong college student resume that highlights your unique skills, qualifications, and experiences.
