1. Choose the Right Format

Your resume’s format is the first thing recruiters see. A clean, easy-to-read format is crucial. For beginners, a chronological or functional resume is usually best.

• Chronological Resume: This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). It’s ideal if you have consistent work history and want to highlight your career progression. Make sure the dates are clear and visible.
• Functional Resume: This format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It can be helpful if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers. However, be aware that recruiters sometimes view functional resumes with suspicion as they can hide a lack of relevant experience. Only use if you truly think it suits your situation.

Stick to a single page, especially if you’re entry-level. Use clear headings, bullet points, and sufficient white space to make your resume easy on the eyes. Choose a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in a size between 10 and 12 points.

2. Craft a Compelling Summary or Objective

The top of your resume is prime real estate. Use it wisely to grab the recruiter’s attention. You have two options: a summary or an objective.

• Summary: A brief overview of your skills, experience, and career goals. Use this if you have some relevant work experience, even if it’s just part-time or volunteer work. For example: “Enthusiastic and detail-oriented student with experience in customer service and data entry. Seeking an entry-level position in a fast-paced environment where I can utilize my skills to contribute to team success.”
• Objective: A statement outlining your career goals and what you hope to achieve in the role. This is best for those with limited work experience. Focus on what you can offer the employer. For example: “To obtain a challenging entry-level position at [Company Name] where I can apply my strong communication and problem-solving skills to support the team’s objectives and contribute to the company’s growth.”

Keep it concise – no more than 3-4 sentences. Tailor your summary/objective to each job you apply for to show that you’ve researched the company and understand their needs.

3. Highlight Your Skills

Skills are crucial for any resume. Create a separate “Skills” section and list both hard and soft skills that are relevant to the jobs you’re targeting.

• Hard Skills: These are technical abilities and knowledge that can be measured, such as software proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop), programming languages (e.g., Python, Java), or specific tools and equipment.
• Soft Skills: These are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and leadership.

Research the job descriptions you’re interested in and identify the key skills they require. Include those skills on your resume, but only if you genuinely possess them. Back up your claims with examples whenever possible (e.g., “Project Management: Led a team of 5 in the successful completion of [Project Name], resulting in [Positive Outcome]”).

4. Showcase Your Experience

Even if you don’t have a lot of formal work experience, you can still showcase your skills through internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, school projects, and extracurricular activities.

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb that describes what you did (e.g., “Managed,” “Developed,” “Implemented,” “Assisted,” “Organized”).
• Quantify Your Accomplishments: Use numbers and data to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., “Increased sales by 15%,” “Reduced costs by 10%,” “Managed a budget of $5,000”).
• Focus on Results: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight the positive outcomes you achieved.
• Tailor to the Job: Customize your experience section to match the requirements of each job you apply for. Emphasize the experiences that are most relevant to the specific role.

For example, instead of writing “Worked at a coffee shop,” try “Provided excellent customer service to over 50 customers daily, resolving complaints and ensuring customer satisfaction. Trained new baristas on drink preparation and POS system operation.”

5. Include Your Education

List your educational background in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or diploma. Include:

• The name of the institution.
• The degree or diploma you earned.
• Your major and minor (if applicable).
• Your graduation date (or expected graduation date).
• Your GPA (optional, but include if it’s above 3.5).
• Relevant coursework or academic achievements (e.g., Dean’s List, scholarships, awards).

If you have limited work experience, you can place your education section above your experience section to highlight your academic qualifications.

6. Proofread Carefully

Typos and grammatical errors can make a bad impression and can disqualify you immediately. Before submitting your resume, carefully proofread it multiple times. Also:

• Use a grammar and spell checker (e.g., Grammarly).
• Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume.
• Read your resume aloud to catch errors you might miss when reading silently.

Ensure consistency in formatting, font size, and spacing throughout your resume.

7. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

Don’t use the same generic resume for every job application. Customize your resume to match the specific requirements and keywords of each job description. This shows employers that you’re genuinely interested in the position and have the skills and experience they’re looking for.

8. Use Action-Oriented Language

Utilize powerful action verbs to vividly depict your roles and accomplishments. Replace passive voice with active voice to showcase your proactive approach.

9. Keep it Concise

Especially as a beginner, aim for a one-page resume. Hiring managers often quickly scan resumes, so it’s important to present the most important information in a clear and concise manner.

10. Save as a PDF

Always save your resume as a PDF file before submitting it. This ensures that your formatting stays intact and that the recruiter can open it regardless of the software they use.