How to Create a Resume for College
It's never too soon to begin putting together a professional resume. In fact, putting a resume together before or while you are attending college can really benefit you in the long and short term. Students are often intimidated at writing that first resume because of a lack of job experience; however, by focusing on skill sets rather than work experience, even a student can produce an effective resume.
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Instructions
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Begin your resume with a centered heading that highlights your name and provide all contact information, including your mailing address, phone numbers and email.
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Decide which skills you would like to include in your resume. Ideally the skills you emphasize should be skills that reflect your educational experience and your goals as a college student. For example, you might have a section titled "Leadership Skills," which would include any experience you have had in school or previous jobs that will show your strongest assets. Remember that a college student is not expected to have had significant work experience, so use ALL of your experience as evidence of your abilities (volunteer work, organization memberships, sports, etc.) Try for two or three main skill categories, and type these headings in boldface.
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Begin listing accomplishments and experience beneath each main skill category from the previous step. Under "Leadership Skills," for example, you might write "Selected as children's mentor for a local church" or "Chosen as program organizer for local Salvation Army." You would also list job experience that falls under that particular skill, such "Worked as office manager for a temp agency." The idea is to include three things you have accomplished or experience you have gained that clearly shows you possess the skill listed. Set these entries off with bullets and/or indentations.
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Include a statement that references are available upon request. Have a list already made and ready to send out. Since you are or will be a college student, including former teachers on your reference list is always a good idea.
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Choose good quality resume bond paper to print your resume on. Colorful paper can be seen as unprofessional, so stick with neutral tones, such as white or off-white. Use a standard-size (10- or 12-point) professional font and leave one-inch margins on all sides.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to keep your resume to one page; if you must exceed that, never go beyond two pages.
