How to Make a Resume When You’re in College

You’re still in school, but you have your eye on an internship that looks awesome. The only problem: They want you to submit a resume and you’ve never had a real job before. Not to worry. Even though you don’t have formal work experience relating to the job you want, you can still look impressive on paper. Here’s how.

FORMATTING:

Do your research before you start.

Check out Google or Pinterest to find resumes similar to the job you’re applying for. See what other interns have included on their resumes and match the formatting as best you can. If they included their social media information, go ahead and include it in yours, too (especially if the job you’re applying for is related to social media!) but be sure your social media accounts are free of any embarrassing posts or pics. Looking at other resumes for similar positions can help you determine whether yours is on par for length, content and formatting, so you don’t stick out for the wrong reasons.

Use a resume template for easy “plug-and-play.”

Word processing software like Microsoft Word come with pre-loaded resume templates that can help you format your resume in a professional way with minimal work and time spent. Just fill out the fields like name, address, school name, major, work experience, volunteer information, etc., and you’re well on your way to a professional-looking resume.

Proofread, proofread, proofread. It is incredibly important that your grammar, spelling and punctuation be perfect on a resume. Not only does it show that you have a good command of the English language, but it also communicates to an employer that you are detail-oriented. Ask a friend who is good at writing to review your resume, or enlist the help of a professional, like the tutors at the online service SolutionInn. They can help you review your resume and make sure it has all the right component before you apply for the job or internship.

CONTENT:

Find the value in your previous work experience.

If you’ve had jobs before, even if it was working at your uncle’s law firm filing papers or working behind the counter at your favorite coffee shop, there are valuable skills you’ve picked up along the way. List your previous positions in chronological order and pinpoint the skills you developed and call those out in bullet points. Were you never late to work? Write it down. Did you manage a team of baristas? Put that first. Did you check for quality control? Make sure you tell your future employer. Even in “small” jobs in hospitality, retail or food service, you are learning skills that will help you in the main workforce.

Extra-curricular activities matter.

Sure to include a list of your extra-curricular activities. Many employers these days are interested in well-rounded employees that have something else to offer their workplace other than “work.” Employers want people to work for them who are passionate about something, who have hobbies that spark creativity, and who spend time making the world a better place through volunteer work. Just like when you were applying to college, those extra-curricular activities can set you apart from the pack when it comes to applying for jobs and internships.

Include your school information.

Your GPA (if it’s above 3.0), your major and minor, and your expected graduation date. Employers are interested in student employees with good grades – which shows dedication and focus – and want to know when you might be available for full-time work, if you’re not already.