resume ideas for college students

College Resume - Examples & Writing Guides for 2024

You’ve just sat down to write a college student resume.

An A+ resume that converts.

Whether you need a part-time job to cover your bills or a college internship for more experience, we are here to help.

This guide will take you through a simple step-by-step process of creating a college student resume. 

• An example of a finished college resume that works
• How to write a college resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your college resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

For some added inspiration, here’s a college student resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

The above example gets serious results, and yours will too. Simply follow the steps below.

Check out some of these related resume examples that you might be interested in:

• No Experience Resume
• Internship Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• High School Resume
• Teacher Resume

How to Format a College Student Resume

The first step when creating any resume is to pick the best resume format.

Formatting has a number of benefits, but mostly it allows the hiring manager to read your resume with ease.

The most common resume format for a college student is “functional” or “skill-based”, which allows the hiring manager to immediately see the benefits in hiring you. We recommend college students starting with this format.

Students will usually have stronger skills than their work history, which makes the functional resume a good choice. It’s also ideal for those who have gaps in their employment history.

Now that you have the best format, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use a College Student Resume Template

Before you go ahead with crafting your college student resume, you may want to use a college student resume template.

A resume that is neat and orderly will be a breeze for recruiters to read.

Oh, and it’s the best way to prevent formatting issues.

What to Include in a College Student Resume

The main sections in a college student resume are:

• Contact Information
• Volunteer Experience
• Extracurricular Activities

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification
• Personal Projects

Interests & Hobbies

But what should you write for each of these sections? Read on to find out.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Now, this section doesn’t require flair, but it must be factually correct. Messing up the contact section can mean the recruiter can’t contact you – oops! 

The contact information section must include:

• Title - In this case, “College Student” or “High-school Graduate”
• Phone Number – Proofread this multiple times
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not one from your childhood ([email protected]).
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location.
• Abigail Pearce - College Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Abigail Pearce - Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a College Student Resume Summary or Objective

So, this is a job you really want.

This may even be a job you NEED.

However, your competition is fierce. 

And with so much competition, you need to convince the hiring manager within the first few sentences.

To do this, use a resume summary or objective .

These are short paragraphs that go on top of your resume, just under your contact information. They give an overview of your entire resume.

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

Dependable marketing sophomore with 1 year part-time experience in a marketing internship to oversee marketing campaigns that maximise profit. Experience includes PPC campaigns, SMM, web design, brand development, and more.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

Current undergraduate sophomore in marketing with hundreds of classroom hours in marketing and sales related courses. Passionate about maximizing revenue with effective marketing campaigns. Experience includes creating campaigns for my own personal projects in my first term at College X. Skilled in WordPress, Facebook Ads Manager, Photoshop, ClickFunnels, and more.

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Those with some work experience should go with a resume summary. On the other hand, those who seriously lack work experience should go with a resume objective.

How to Make Your College Student Work Experience Stand Out

Recruiters like to feel confident that you can do the job. There is no easier way to do this than to list your work experience .

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

The Pizza Cabin

03/2019 - 01/2020

• Served food to 40+ people a night and multiple tables at a time.
• Educated customers on menu items and daily specials.
• Received 98% positive customer feedback.
• Engaged customers in a personal, yet professional manner, which helped me to win “Employee of the Month” 4 times.

To separate your resume from the competition, you should focus on your achievements instead of daily tasks. This will allow the recruiter to see the obvious benefits in hiring you.

Instead of saying:

“Served customers”

“Served food to 80+ people a night and multiple tables at a time”

Simply, the first statement is way too vague. There zero chance the recruiter will be impressed by this.

The second statement shows that you were able to serve 80+ people and multiple tables at a time. This tells the recruiter that you are able to work under pressured conditions and to time constraints – impressive!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Now, not every applicant will have worked in a similar job before.

If this is you, there is a simple way to get around this.

Simply call-upon crossover skills from any previous jobs.

For example, if you held a customer service role at a local pizza restaurant, you can talk about any crossover skills and experiences. Just like a sales associate, you would be able to show you used strong communication and sales skills.

As a student, make sure to check out our student resume guide!

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

Whether it’s a college junior resume or college sophomore resume, your education section is crucial.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter the information for your in-progress degree in the following format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Expected Graduation
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

Majoring in Marketing

University of Chicago

2019 - Present

• Relevant Courses: Principles of Marketing, Managerial Communications, Quantitative Methods, and Macroeconomics.

Now, you may have some questions on this section. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

• What if I haven’t completed education yet?

As we mention above, you should still mention your current place of education, despite not finishing yet

• Should I include my high school education?

If you have not yet finished your college degree, you should also include your high school education

• What do I put first, my education or experience?

Experiences are the priority, so those go first

Want more information? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a College Student Resume

You’ve got all the skills.

But here’s the thing –

Your competition is well-skilled too!

Show the hiring manager that you’re the top candidate by listing your best skills.

But what are the best skills for a college resume?

Create a list of hard skills and soft skills that you have developed so far in life, such as the following:

Hard Skills for a College Resume:

• Microsoft Office
• Typing Speed
• Copywriting

Soft Skills:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Team Player
• Decision-Making

Tailor your skills to the job description. You can have the best skills in the world, but the recruiter won’t appreciate them if they’re not relevant to the job.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 100+ must-have skills this year.

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section .

But the school bell hasn’t rung just yet.

You need your resume to stand out!

Acing the above sections should be enough to get you shortlisted, but adding the following sections could give you a further advantage over the other applicants.  

Awards & Certifications

Have you ever won an award?

Have you completed any third-party courses?

Do you hold any specialized certifications?

Regardless of what it is, if there is anything that you’re proud of, be sure to include it here.

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• Food Handlers Card & Food Safety Manager Certification 
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – Coursera Course

Need to speak multiple languages at your new job?

Yes or no, being able to speak a second language is impressive.

And with so much competition, this could be the difference.

Add a language section if you have space. 

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you may be wondering, “why would a recruiter want to know that I’m a part of the football team?”

Well, it allows the recruiter to get to know who you are on a personal level.

But it doesn’t stop there…

Certain hobbies demonstrate that you have soft skills, like teamwork and communication. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Your resume should now be ready to send.

No application is complete without a convincing cover letter.

In opposition to a generic resume, a personalized cover letter shows that you care about working for this specific company .

Here’s how to structure a winning cover letter:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, and location

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through their pile of resumes. As such, use concise language to mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

With the recruiter intrigued, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How are your top skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the recruiter for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to keep the conversation going. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help you achieve X” will work

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Building a college resume doesn't have to be hard.

Follow the tips in this guide for a college resume that is head & shoulders above the competition. 

Here are our best tips on how to create a college resume:

• Make your resume easy to read by formatting it correctly. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to hook the recruiter
• In your work experience section, highlight your most notable achievements to date
• Include a convincing cover letter to separate you from the competition

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume with No-Experience [21+ Examples]
• 21+ Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips For Job-Seekers
• Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

Resume Examples and Tips for College Students and Graduates

What to Include in Your Resume

• Resume Writing Tips
• College Resume Example & Template
• Resume Samples Listed by Type
• Review Your Resume

When you're a college student or recent graduate, it can be a challenge to figure out what to include on your resume. After all, most college students don't have an extensive  employment history . Employers know that, however, so they don't expect to see a lengthy list of jobs.

But just because you are at the beginning of your career doesn’t mean that you don’t have significant accomplishments to include in your resume. As a college student or recent graduate, you have many achievements that will qualify you for internships, summer jobs, and your first post-graduation position.

Along with paid employment, you can list  volunteering , summer jobs, paid and unpaid  internships , coursework, and school activities on your resume.

You can also highlight the skills that best qualify you for the jobs for which you're applying. Taking the time to show the employer that you have the right skills will help get your application considered for an interview.

Read below for advice on how to write a resume as a college student or graduate, along with lists of resume examples to review and download to get started on writing your own resume.

If you're not sure what to include, do some brainstorming about all of your past experiences, including work-related positions, volunteering, academic experience, campus leadership positions, extracurricular activities, internships, and any awards or special recognition you may have received. They can all be included on your resume.

Make a list of all you have accomplished during your time at college, and include the achievements that are most relevant to the job you are applying for your resume. You'll need to tweak your resume each time you apply , but it's well worth the extra effort.

Resume Writing Tips for College Students and Grads

Emphasize academics.

If you have limited work and extracurricular experience, you can emphasize your academic history.

• Put the  “Education” section  of your resume at the top of your resume so that it is the first thing the employer sees.
• Along with the name of your school and degree, include any achievements, such as a high  GPA or any academic awards (such as making the Dean’s List).
• If you have taken courses related to the job you’re applying for or completed school projects that required skills related to the job, list those as well.

Match Your Skills to the Job

Look at the job listing or postings you are applying for — your goal here is to  match your experience  and skills with the job requirements.

• Circle the experiences and skills on your brainstormed list of experience that relate directly to the job (or jobs) you have targeted.
• Incorporate those circled items into your resume.
• You can elaborate on some of these experiences in a bulleted list under each one.

Highlight Your Achievements

Based on your experiences, you might choose to divide your resume into  different categories , such as “Work History,” “Volunteer Experience,” “Relevant Coursework,” and more. If you do not have much relevant experience, you might put all of these under the same category of “Related Experience.”

Create a Skills Section

You can also create a  “Skills” section  on your resume to highlight skills you have gained throughout your experiences. For example, if you are applying for a job as a computer programmer, you might list the programming languages you are familiar with under the “Skills” section of your resume.

Print Your Resume

It's much easier to review your resume to check the formatting and catch errors, if you print it out. You'll be able to make sure there is plenty of white space, your resume is readable, and you haven't made any mistakes.

Resume Examples for College Students and Graduates

Use a resume example or a resume template to guide your own writing. A resume example can help you decide what kind of content to include, as well as how to format your resume. However, be sure to tailor a resume example to fit your own experiences, and the job you are applying for.

Download the resume template  (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see more examples below.

Resume Example for College Students and Graduates (Text Version)

Kenneth Applicant 8907 Greentree Avenue Louisville, KY 40201 email@email.com (000) 123-4567 (cell)

ACCOUNTANT PROFILE

Highly analytical and detail-oriented emerging professional, poised to excel within entry-level Accounting role requiring strong mathematical and organizational acumen.

• Accounting : Well-studied in financial and managerial accounting, tax preparation, variance analysis, and FASB / GAAP best practices.
• Information Technology : Adept in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel macros), QuickBooks, Turbo Tax, NetSuite, and Concur.
• Communications : Communicate well both orally and in writing, effectively explaining complicated financial data to clients and stakeholders.
• Key Strengths : Work well both independently and as a dedicated team member. Natural and proactive problem-solver, diligently reviewing work products to identify and eliminate errors.

BSBA in Accountancy (May 2018); 3.79 GPA UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, Louisville, KY

Dean’s List; Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society; Agnes Avery Accounting Scholarship; Accounting Society Secretary

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, Louisville, KY Student ~ Accountancy , 09/2014-06/2018

Completed comprehensive studies in Accountancy. Completed coursework included: Advanced Accounting Problems, Advanced Managerial Cost Accounting, Auditing Theory and Practice, Advanced Taxation, and Advanced Accounting Information Systems. Accounting co-op experiences: 

• Bardstown Physicians Associates (Spring 2016): Performed accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger accounting for physicians’ business office.
• German Manufacturing (Spring 2017): Honed expertise in payroll accounting for a 700-member workforce.
• Stengel Enterprises (Winter 2018): Helped senior accountant and CPA to compile financial and tax records during IRS audit.

OFFICE SUPPLIES CO., Louisville, KY Seasonal Retail Sales Consultant , Summers 2016 and 2017

Provided attentive customer service to patrons of high-volume office supply store. Helped customers with product selection, stocked shelves, and operated point-of-sale system.

Key achievements : 

• Earned “Most Valued Associate” two summers in a row.
• Rehired by management in recognition of punctuality, attention to detail, and excellent work ethic.

More Resume Samples Listed by Type

Review more sample resumes and resume templates for college students and graduates applying for internships, summer jobs, and full-time positions to get ideas for your own resume.

Type of Student

Review resume examples listed by type of student and graduate.

• College Student Resume
• College Student Resume with a Summary
• Resume Focusing on Coursework
• Resume with GPA Listed
• College Senior Resume Example
• Entry Level Resume Examples
• Law Student Resume
• Summer Job Resumes and Cover Letters
• Teaching Abroad Resume
• Tutor Resume Example for a Student

Type of Job

Review resume examples for specific types of entry-level jobs for graduates.

• Business / Banking Resume
• Business / Technology Resume
• Camp Counselor Resume Example
• Education / Teaching Resume
• Entry Level Management Resume
• Publishing / Journalism Resume
• Summer Lifeguard Resume
• Summer Sales Associate Resume
• Teaching Abroad / International Education Resume
• Summer Job Resume Examples

Use these downloadable resume templates to create your own resume.

• College Resume Template
• Resume Template
• Microsoft Resume Templates

Review Your Resume Before You Apply

If you can, have someone from your campus career office, or perhaps an alumnus in the field that you are interested in, take a look at your resume to make sure that you have included as much pertinent information as possible. Otherwise, ask a friend or family member to review your resume for you.

This person can also read through your resume to spot any errors, including grammar and spelling mistakes, and issues with the style and layout.

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Include all your achievements: You can include more than paid work experience on your resume.

Highlight your most relevant skills: Focus your resume and cover letter on the skills that qualify you for the job.

Tweak your resume for the job: Take the time to tailor your job application materials for every job you apply for.

Start with a template: Download a template to use as a starting point for writing your own resume.

Get assistance: Need more help? Check with your college career services office for guidance.

The Student Resume

Tips and writing guide to land your first job

Resume and Cover Letter Experts

Whether you’re a student just getting started on your resume or it’s in need of a makeover,  our guide to student resume writing can never go amiss because unlike professional resumes,  those of students have different limitations and purposes.

It is essential for candidates to  make the most of resume samples and practical guidance  when producing their student resume in order to ensure they highlight their skills and potential in lieu of lack of experience.  34% of employers  won’t even consider a resume without quantifiable results, so  winning over their doubts  is everything.

With a winning, unique student resume, hiring managers are bound to be interested in offering a job to any willing and deserving applicant.

With so many  things to include in a student resume , it may be hard to decide what is relevant and what is unnecessary but it is vital to be strict when editing to ensure you only  refer to your activities, academic successes and qualities  that make you an ideal candidate for the role or course that you’re looking for.

Learning  how to write a student resume  is one of the more significant challenges students will face when preparing for their future careers.

Although  student resume writing   may be a difficult task  as candidates are just entering the working world, often applicants are pleasantly surprised by the  valuable experience and skills they already have  thanks to different events, extra-curricular activities and associations they’ve been a part of as a student.

As students are new to the game, one ideal tool for  resume writing  is the thousands of  resume templates that are available to modify and customize  to each individual student’s needs.

Among the various  sections of a student resume , it is essential to  include any work or voluntary experience  you may have, your technical and practical skills and of course your academic profile.

Research from the AACU  says that around 94% of employers value the capacity for professional development from graduates. Therefore proving this on your resume will be your top priority.

As well as these three main sections,  student resumes should be optimized  by adding any of the following elements:

• awards, honors or sponsorships earned.
• projects developed.
• leadership experience.
• research carried out.
• extra IT or language skills.
• sports or social club membership.
• relevant coursework.
• or volunteer experience.

Not only can a student resume list this information but below each, it is highly recommended to  add a description of the functions undertaken in each activity  and ensure to  adapt the information to the role  that is being pursued. It’s important not to go overboard but to tailor the details you include to the role, company or sector of the vacancy.

An excellent  shortcut for how to make a winning student resume  is to use an online resume builder as a  basic resume writing guide ; the  ideal tool for students  to learn how to write a first resume.

Student Resume Format

The  student resume layout is somewhat different from the structure of a professional resume  as students often have little to no work experience.

It is therefore  appropriate for students to highlight other attributes  that they’re able to bring to the position available, such as their skills or academic achievements, similar to  entry-level resume  candidates. This means that the  layout and format for student resumes  may change depending on each individual applicant.

Having said this, due to the fact that, generally, young students will have had little to no paid work experience, the  resume format best adapted to a student profile  is either the  combination  or (skills-based)  functional resume  which either  combine experience, activities, achievements and skills  or highlight these areas more so than work history in order to stand out in the application process.

With a  unique student resume format , a candidate is much more likely to attract attention and  catch the hiring manager’s eye  with their experience and relevant qualities.

High School Student Resume

There comes a time when nearly every teenage high school student will need to  create a first resume  but it doesn’t need to be yet another chore .

• Begin by  listing your various achievements either academic or otherwise  and organize them chronologically.
• Add to this list any  memberships you’ve had or associations  you’ve been a part of, whether social, academic or athletic.
• Make a note of all your  paid and unpaid or voluntary positions  including other less formal work such as babysitting or menial work around your neighborhood.
• Add descriptions to each aspect of your student resume  that explain your responsibilities and highlight any contributions or leadership roles taken.

And voilà, you have your  winning teenage student resume to start job hunting , whether it’s for summer work, a part-time position or you’re ready to get your career on the go.

Remember for an easy way to learn  how to create a high-school resume , you can use a  resume builder  or try working from a student resume example.

But before you get sending, the most important thing is to  review your high school student resume ! Even the smallest mistakes can cost you big.

College Student Resume

For  college students writing a resume  is hugely important and needs to really stand out in today’s fierce job market.

Similarly to a high school student resume,  college student resumes  may be  limited in the amount of work experience  that they include. But that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of aspects to be considered.

• It is true that typically a college student resume will have a heavier focus on education than work experience but college students are advised to include all relevant work experience, whether paid or unpaid including  internships and voluntary positions , to  provide evidence of knowledge of the workplace .
• Following a similar step-by-step process to that of the  high school student resume ,  college students should take their resume writing one step further  by putting more emphasis on areas of leadership, dedication and participation in projects, clubs or community services.
• As well as this, it is recommended that  college students begin to use quantifiable examples in their resume descriptions  as a way of demonstrating their worth as an employee for a business.
• Finally, as college students will begin to seek out more career-specific roles, it is imperative to  correctly adapt college resumes to the sector or business  that the candidate has chosen by including only relevant experience and skills.

And hey presto! You have your college student resume polished and perfect, ready to  start applying for your first job , summer internship or even to use for graduate school applications!

Resume for college applications

Some colleges may ask applicants to provide a resume during the admissions process.  It is therefore essential to be able to distinguish between a resume to apply for a job and one for entering college.

The main differences lie in the fact that a  resume for a college application  is highly focused on achievements and accomplishments throughout your academic career whereas  resumes for jobs  also include much information about your skills and experience in other areas.

In both a  student resume for a job and for a college application , it is vital to include your work experience, whether through paid work or voluntary positions or perhaps tutoring or coaching, detailing responsibilities and accomplished objectives as well as your  personal and professional skills , any projects or community service you’ve undertaken, any organizational or even managerial roles you may have had in societies or events.

College application resumes also often  include a cover letter or letter of recommendation , scholarship applications or portfolios to give evidence of a student’s accomplishments.

And, remember to edit and  review your polished college admission resume to avoid any silly mistakes  that could cause your resume to be rejected.

Using AI to Improve Your Student Resume

It will be obvious to employers that you’re lacking experience since you’re a student. It can be a bit difficult to know exactly what you can add to your resume sections that will impress recruiters when you don’t have much of a work history. 

With our resume builder that offers AI-created suggestions, you can come up with clever ideas in seconds for how to list your:

• Skills relevant to the position
• Internship and volunteer experience
• Accomplishments

By combining the template with these suggestions, you’ll make the process even simpler .

Student Resume Templates

Using a  student resume template can save you time and effort  as well as offer you ideas on  which sections to include  and how to complete them in order to attract the right employers.

Whether you are  recently graduated from high school or from college , you’re looking for a part-time position to accompany your ongoing studies or a summer internship to help further your career,  making a resume that catches the eye of a potential employer is vital  and the  best way to do that is by using a resume template for students  as a stepping stone to getting your completed, effective, first resume.

Student resume examples  allow you to get an understanding of  how you can shape your experience and knowledge  and present it in an interesting manner on your customized resume to help you land an interview.

Also, by starting with a  student resume sample , candidates can get  tips and examples  from experts who know what student employers are looking for. Or for extra guidance you could also try using ResumeCoach’s  online resume creator  to help make your student resume.

Another difficulty for  students writing a first resume  is the possible lack of work experience.  ResumeCoach  takes this into consideration in their  student resume examples  and offers the jobseeker the opportunity to  highlight other areas such as skills, internships, voluntary work  and academic accomplishments.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

Getting a Job , Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Top Tips And Examples for a College Student Resume

Whether you’re applying for part-time or full-time work, having an up-to-date resume is necessary. While you’re earning a degree, your college student resume will help to showcase what you have accomplished so far and give prospective employees an indication as to when you will graduate.

There are many different ways to write a resume, so it’s useful to know these tips for college students specifically and to take a look at resume examples .

Photo by  Bram Naus  on  Unsplash

What is a resume.

A resume is a document that you provide to employers when you apply for a job. The document shares some personal information like your name and contact information, and then dives deeper into your career objectives, educational background, work experience, range of skills and accomplishments.

A resume is different from a curriculum vitae (CV) as it is more like a marketing document while a CV is highly based on credentials and academic achievement. Also, resumes tend to be shorter than CVs.

Top Tips to Write Your College Student Resume

While you’re still in college, you may not have work experience that is directly related to the degree or field in which you want to enter. But that’s okay! You can still make all previous experiences count to showcase your skills and accomplishments.

These are some useful tips and examples to help you create your college student resume:

1. Focus on education:

Once you graduate and have accrued work experience, your educational background falls to the bottom of your resume. But, while you are in college, it should be listed at the top. In this section, you should include the name of the institution at which you are studying, its location, your major field of study, extracurricular activities and any coursework that is relevant for the job position for which you are applying.

2. Focus on the right skills:

Depending on the job you’re applying for and your experience, not all skills will be relevant. Instead, focus on the skills that make sense for the position. For example, if you are applying for a business development job and have experience as a waiter, you don’t need to describe how you served customers. Instead, you can focus on the communication aspect of the job as that’s relevant to business development.

3. Include keywords:

These days, job applications and resumes often get filtered electronically. For this reason, you should optimize your resume with keywords and key phrases that directly relate to the position you want. One of the easiest ways to do this is to pull keywords from job descriptions for the position you are seeking.

4. Include extracurriculars:

Listing your extracurricular activities showcases your well-roundedness and can also provide insight into your interests and skills.

Choose Your Format

When writing your first resume, you may feel overwhelmed by where to start. But, with the help of tools and templates, this process can be made easy. There are many different ways to create your resume.

Some options include:

1. Templates:

Use a pre-made resume template that has the sections and fonts already laid out for you.

2. Free software:

You can leverage free software to write your resume, like ResumeGenius .

3. Create your own:

Another option is to get ideas for formats from friends, family or online. Then, you can create your own resume using software like Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign.

Writing Tips

The process of writing a resume can be made enjoyable if you take it step by step.

1. Start by listing everything:

Write everything you’ve done down with bullet point descriptions. Organize the information into their sectors like Education , Experience, Extracurriculars, etc.

2. Narrow down to relevant info:

Once you have everything listed, you can extract the relevant jobs and information depending on the position for which you are applying. Since you’ll want to keep your resume to just one page, this is how you can edit it down.

3. Include keywords from job requirement in your resume:

As mentioned before, take a look at job descriptions for the position. Then pull and include relevant keywords so that electronic resume filtering systems can match your resume to open positions.

4. Use action verbs:

In the description bullet points under job titles, start each sentence with strong action verbs. Instead of saying “Responsible for x,y, z” you can use verbs like “created,” “designed,” “implemented,” etc.

5. Quantify your impact:

Additionally, in your descriptions, you should try to quantify your impact as much as possible. For example, if you worked as a marketing intern and improved a process or helped to increase newsletter open rates, you should share that kind of information. This shows employers ways in which you can make their business better.

6. Edit and receive feedback first:

Before pushing send, be sure to edit your resume, and of course, use spell check. The format and overall presentation says a lot about you, as well, so you want to make sure you avoid any mistakes. Ask people you trust for feedback because they may catch a mistake that you may have missed.

Resume Submission

Once you’re done writing your resume, there are certain best practices for submission.

1. Cover letter:

Write a cover letter that is professionally formatted. In this letter, you will help to further describe why you are a good fit for the position and it will complement your resume.

2. Follow up:

Be sure to show interest in the job by following up if you haven’t heard back after about a week.

Photo by  Amy Hirschi  on  Unsplash

Wrapping up.

With a well-written resume, you open the door for many opportunities. Regardless of the amount of work experience you’ve acquired thus far in your college career, you can construct a strategic resume to land the position of your dreams.

Starting with your education and including your work experience and various extracurricular activities and skills helps to showcase more about who you are to a prospective employer. Once you’ve reviewed your resume and gotten feedback, you can submit it with a cover letter and await a response to hopefully get an interview!

Once you enter the workforce, you should continuously update your resume with new experiences so that you’re ready to submit a resume when a position of interest becomes available.

Related Articles

• ResumeBuild
• Student Resume

Try our high school and college resume builder for free

• Land a job or a spot at school with our library of easy-to-use resume templates
• Make your resume in minutes with simple step-by-step instructions just for students
• Get pre-written examples and use expert tips to make the process a breeze

Level Up Your Student Resume With Professional Templates

Impress hiring managers and schools with a clean-cut, classic resume that makes your strengths and achievements shine.

Professional

Worried that your resume won’t be taken seriously as a high school or college student? This resume template’s sharp format frames you as an up-and-coming professional to watch.

With its compelling icons and thoughtful use of color, the Cool resume template is a top choice for anyone looking to create an attention-grabbing resume.

Charm hiring managers and schools with an ultra-modern student resume that instantly conveys why you’re a candidate worth interviewing.

Contemporary

You want to be a leader of tomorrow, so shouldn't your student resume look equally forward-thinking? The Contemporary’s eye-catching but refined looks can help you prove you’re a trailblazer.

Effortlessly stand out from the crowd with the Awesome resume template’s unique two-column design and easy-to-read format.

How to Write a Resume Objective or Summary for your Student Resume

In order to impress schools and hiring managers from the get-go, your resume needs to have a strong opening section. That’s why we strongly recommend including a resume summary at the top of your resume, underneath your contact information.

In the past, applicants for schools or jobs could choose between writing a resume objective or a resume summary. Now, resume experts generally agree that including a resume objective is no longer in line with best practice. The reason is that a resume objective essentially highlights your goals as a candidate. In contrast, a resume summary conveys how you will be able to support the school or company you’re applying for to meet their goals.

So what exactly is a resume summary, then? A resume summary is the first major section of your resume. It should succinctly present the case for why you’re an ideal candidate for the position or school you’re applying for. 

As it should only be two to four sentences long, you will need to focus only on your most relevant qualities and attributes that make you an attractive candidate or prospective student.

In order to write a strong resume objective or summary, you must make two things crystal clear:

• What the academic or professional position is you are applying for 
• What makes you the best person to fulfill it

Let’s start with the first part. You should clearly state the purpose of your application. For example, you may wish to:

• Study at a particular college or join a particular program/course 
• Be hired for a job at a college fair or internship fair 
• Be hired as an entry-level worker or summer worker

Next, you must summarize some of the standout qualities and attributes that make you worth considering for the given role. The qualities and attributes you highlight should be directly relevant to the role and should be expanded on in the other sections of your resume. You can mention such things as your:

• Educational background
• Academic achievements
• Soft and hard skills
• Work experiences
• Volunteer work
• Any other standout achievements

Try your best to use keywords from the job advertisement or school application to demonstrate that you possess the very qualities and attributes the hiring manager or school is looking for. 

Keywords are words or phrases within a job ad or school application that represent what the hiring manager or school are looking for from their ideal candidate. Keywords can include particular competencies, skills, experiences, attributes, studies, and so on.

How to Write a Work Experience Section for your Student Resume

The work experience section is perhaps the resume section that students dread the most when creating their high school resume or college resume. The reason is that many students don’t know where to begin or may not have held a job before. 

The good news is that writing a compelling work experience section really isn’t as difficult as it seems - even if you’ve never been in the working world before. In either case, the most important thing is to make sure your work experience section sounds as relevant as possible to the given job or educational opportunity you are applying for. 

If you don’t have any work experience at all, don’t stress! You can instead focus on your: 

• Volunteer work 
• School activities
• Side projects

Spend time brainstorming how to present these experiences in a way that makes them as relevant as possible to the job or school you are applying for. 

For example, did you demonstrate any soft or hard skills that will be useful to the role or your studies? Or maybe you achieved something that showcases what an excellent employee or student you will be? Remember, framing is everything when it comes to your resume! You can do this by integrating keywords that apply to your experiences throughout this section. This will help you to work out what professional experiences will capture the hiring manager or school’s attention. 

However, be sure to steer clear of ‘keyword stuffing’! This term is used to describe when people unnaturally add keywords to their resume in order to game the system. Always integrate keywords in a natural-sounding way and only use those that genuinely apply to your skills and experiences. 

It’s also important to think about this section as a way to showcase your very best professional achievements in each past position. That is, instead of just listing what you did, focus on conveying how your actions and skills made a positive difference.

In order to make your achievements shine, you will need to: 

• Start each one with a verb (action word).
• Make them short and snappy: Stick to one sentence each.
• Quantify them using numbers, percentages, and examples where possible.

For each position you include in this section, you will need to state the title you held, the company name, and the dates you worked there.

If you’re unsure of how to format your work experience section, simply use one of our expert-designed resume templates and our resume builder to ensure you get it right. You can also check out the expert tips for writing your work experience section we’ve included within our resume builder .

How to Write a Skills Section for Your Student Resume

Just like your work experience section, your resume’s skills section should be as relevant as possible to the position or educational opportunity you are applying for. 

Analyze the job ad or school application to identify skill-based keywords. You may wish to print out the job ad or school application and physically highlight these words to make it easier for you to work out which keywords to focus on.

Keep in mind that there are two types of skills to look out for:

• Soft skills: Those related to your interpersonal or communication skills.
• Hard skills: Technical, practical skills.

You will need to include a balance of both to show that you’re a well-rounded candidate. Think carefully about which ones are most applicable to your skillset and the job or school at hand, and list 6 to 8 of the most relevant ones in this section. 

Don’t forget you will also need to integrate skills throughout your work experience section too.

If you’re finding it hard to come up with relevant skills to add to your high school or college resume, don’t worry. Our resume builder has hundreds of examples of skills you can simply click and add to your resume.

Again, if you want to see how to effectively format this section, check out one of our many resume templates.

How to Write an Education & Coursework Section for your Student Resume

Your education & coursework section is one of the most important sections in your high school resume or college resume.

Even if an application does not specifically ask you to share your educational background on your resume, it is generally expected that you will. After all, your studies help to paint a picture of your knowledge, skills, interests, and academic abilities. 

As you can see from our library of resume templates, there are a few different ways that you can format your education & coursework section. That said, the general format of this section is as follows: [High School or College Name]

[Dates attended] 

[Subject studied (optional)]

If you want to guarantee you don’t make any formatting errors, just use our resume builder to create your resume! 

How to Write an Awards & Achievements Section for your Student Resume

Want to take your student resume to the next level? Adding an awards & achievements section is an easy way to capture attention. 

Before you say, “But I don’t have any awards or achievements!” take a moment to think back on your studies so far. Chances are that you have much more to highlight than you first realize. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

• Your GPA (If 3.5 or higher)
• Being part of the student body
• Academic awards
• Professional awards
• Valedictorian and Dean’s lists
• Being in the top X% of your class/course
• Professional achievements e.g. selling X amount of products or increasing profits by Y%
• Relevant school/college societies or groups you are part of
• Scholarships
• Any journals you have been published in or research papers you have written
• Relevant non-profit work you have completed (such as volunteering and fundraising)

So how can you correctly format this section of your resume?

You can list each award or achievement, along with the date you received/achieved it and any other specifics that would help the person reading it better understand why the award or achievement is relevant. 

If you are short on space, you can feature your academic awards and achievements in your education & coursework section instead.

Related Student Resume Examples & Samples

Take a look at the following tried-and-tested resume examples and samples for inspiration.

When you’re ready to make your own impressive high school or college resume, our state-of-the-art resume builder will guide you every step of the way.

College Student Resume

High School Student Resume

Internship Resume

• Crimson Careers
• For Employers
• Harvard College
• Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
• Harvard Extension School
• Premed / Pre-Health
• Families & Supporters
• Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Students
• First Generation / Low Income
• International Students
• Students of Color
• Students with Disabilities
• Undocumented Students
• Explore Interests & Make Career Decisions
• Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter
• Expand Your Network
• Engage with Employers
• Search for a Job
• Find an Internship
• January Experiences (College)
• Find & Apply for Summer Opportunities Funding
• Prepare for an Interview
• Negotiate an Offer
• Apply to Graduate or Professional School
• Access Resources
• AI for Professional Development and Exploration
• Arts & Entertainment
• Business & Entrepreneurship
• Climate, Sustainability, Environment, Energy
• Government, Int’l Relations, Education, Law, Nonprofits
• Life Sciences & Health
• Technology & Engineering
• Still Exploring
• Talk to an Advisor

Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide

• Share This: Share Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide on Facebook Share Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide on LinkedIn Share Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide on X

A resume is a concise, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions.

Résumé Tips for College Students

Knowing how to successfully write a résumé is a crucial skill for any job hunter. Consider a résumé as your first impression. This document offers the opportunity to succinctly present your professional self and get you in the door for an interview. While a résumé is incredibly important on the road to employment, it can be tricky to write. Here are some tried and true résumé tips to get you started on the right foot.

Parts of a Résumé

All résumés are different. A résumé should be tailored to fit your individual work history, profession and even style preferences. All résumés must possess these five elements, according to Monster.com .

• Contact information. This includes your name, street address, phone number, email and professional social media accounts. This section should be prominent at the top or side of the document.
• An objective or a summary. Whether you use an objective or a summary depends on your level of relevant experience. Objectives explain what you hope to professionally accomplish. This is ideal for those who are new to the workforce or who are switching job fields. A summary gives a succinct explanation of your relevant professional history.
• Skills. A bulleted list of some kind, this section should note any relevant proficiencies you have. You can include both hard skills (technical-based) and soft skills (those that transfer to many types of work).
• Professional experience. The bulk of your résumé will describe previous jobs and work experience. Each listing should include your job title, the name of the company you worked for, city and state and dates you worked there by month and year. You should include a bulleted list of what you did at each job under its heading. Make sure to emphasize your accomplishments, rather than day-to-day duties. (For the purpose of résumé writing, an accomplishment is anything that saved your employer time, money or resources.) If you can, use numbers and data.
• Education. This section often goes at the bottom of a résumé. However, if your education is particularly relevant to the position you’re applying for and you have no work experience in that area, it may be helpful to move it higher. This section should include the name, city and state of your college, major, if you graduated with honors and GPA.

The Right Words

Résumés require a specific type of writing style. An easy way to master this style is through action words, or vocabulary to describe your work in a professional and competent light. The Muse offers some great examples to make your résumé pop:

If you…

• Led a project: organized, headed, oversaw, produced, coordinated
• Helped a project to emerge: built, created, designed, developed, launched
• Saved your employer money: conserved, decreased, yielded, consolidated, lessened
• Increased efficiency or sales: furthered, accelerated, gained, improved, sustained
• Made something better: replaced, merged, overhauled, revitalized, streamlined
• Managed people: aligned, mentored, mobilized, trained, supervised
• Helped customers: informed, resolved, advised, consulted, fielded
• Researched: examined, evaluated, calculated, identified, assessed
• Wrote things: documented, composed, edited, persuaded, corresponded
• Oversaw things: authorized, delegated, monitored, screened, verified
• Achieved something: completed, exceeded, showcased, surpassed, outperformed

Other Helpful Tips

While résumé writing is an art rather than a science, there are other common sense tips that you can use to make sure you get ahead.

• Tailor your résumé to the job you’re applying for. Look at the job description. What words do they use? What competencies do they require? How can your past experiences meet those needs? Adjust your language to reflect these things, particularly in your objective.
• Make the document easy to read. Employers don’t spend much time reading résumés. They skim. Don’t use type smaller than 10 point. Include plenty of white space. Align your employment dates in a column so they’re easy to find. No HR manager should have to work to find the information they need.
• Keep your résumé to one page. Again, no one will read it if it’s more.
• You don’t have to include everything. Remember, a résumé is a document that will help you get an interview for a specific position. Use it to sell the relevant experience you have. Consider leaving out work experience if it’s not directly related the position.
• Don’t lie. This should seem obvious, but sometimes people forget. Not telling the truth about your past work history will most likely come back to haunt you.

Preparing for Success

Writing a successful résumé is just one way to get yourself ready for the workforce. At the University of West Florida, our online degree programs successfully train you to get to the next stage of your career, whatever it might be. With more than 25 online programs at various levels of study, you’ll be able to find the right program for you that’s flexible enough to fit your life.

• Campus Life

Did you know that recruiters spend just seven seconds looking at a resume , on average? This means yours really needs to stand out! 😮

From picking the right keywords to avoiding unnecessary details, creating a resume that will wow recruiters within such a short time is no easy feat.

If you’re wondering how to craft a resume that sets you apart from hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of other applicants — you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together nine effective ways you can make your resume shine! ✨

• Customization Is Key When It Comes to Resumes
• Incorporate the Right Keywords
• Quantify Your Achievements
• Write an Engaging Objective
• Keep Your Resume Concise and Clutter-Free
• Make Your Resume Easy to Scan
• Use a Resume Builder
• Proofread (And Proofread Again!)
• Stick to a One-Page Format

1. Customization Is Key When It Comes to Resumes

Customizing your resume for each specific role you apply for is an excellent way to convince a hiring manager that you have everything they need!

Read through the job description and see how you can tailor your resume to showcase the exact skills and qualifications employers want in the right candidate. Failure to do so can make recruiters skip right by your resume in favor of other applicants.

You can even go a step further by heading to the company’s website to get a feel about the organization. 

Take note of what kind of projects they work on, whether they support any charities, and look for other ways in which you may be a good fit for them and incorporate those points into your resume.

💡 Tip: Keep multiple copies of your resume that you can modify depending on the role you’re applying for. For example, if you are interested in working in marketing and communications, you can have one resume specific to PR roles, one specific to PPC campaigns, and one resume that is just for content marketing.

2. Incorporate the Right Keywords

Did you know that 55 percent of recruiters use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan resumes? 

The ATS filters through your information and reads the keywords to determine whether you’re the right fit for the company. 

This means that even if you have all the relevant skills and experience, you might not land the job unless your resume has the correct terminology .

Want to move your resume to the top of the stack for hiring managers? Here’s what you can do!

• Review the job description for the role you’re aiming for as well as other similar positions.
• Notice common words or phrases .
• Add these keywords to your resume through different sub-headers (for example education, skills, work experience) and content to increase your chances of your resume getting the tick of approval from a software tracking system.

💡 Tip: There is a fine line between using keywords strategically and stuffing your resume with them. Don’t overdo it!

3. Quantify Your Achievements

It’s one thing to say that you’re fit for a job and another to demonstrate your capabilities through quantifiable examples on your resume . 

By illustrating concrete results, impacts, or outcomes, you can make the claims on the resume more credible. Providing numbers also presents the bottom-line performance and shows you are results-oriented. Therefore, wherever possible, let numbers tell the story. 

Learned a new language? Specify your skill level (beginner, intermediary, proficient). Volunteered for a local food bank? Mention how many meals you prepared or delivered to provide a sense of what you achieved during the stint. 

Instead of writing that you “significantly improved sales skills” at your summer job, tell recruiters that you “oversaw a 20 percent growth in client acquisition” to highlight precisely how effective your contribution was.

💡 Tip: When mentioning numbers, don’t forget to include how you got the results. For instance, an “intermediate” level in German could sound vague unless you highlight that you took an end-of-course assessment to reach your current level.

READ MORE: These Are the Skills You Need to Get a Job After College

4. Write an Engaging Objective

A resume objective is a short (usually two-or-three line) statement of your career goals at the top of your file. 

Looking for your first job after graduation? An eye-catching objective tells potential employers about your skills and abilities even when you lack the necessary experience in that field.

In fact, an ideal resume objective isn’t just about highlighting your aspirations. It’s also a smart way to tell employers what you bring to the table and how your experiences can add value to the company.

5. Keep Your Resume Concise and Clutter-Free

When it comes to your resume, employers don’t need your entire life story — they only want the most relevant information to decide whether you’re the right person for the job on offer. 

This means it’s vital to have a clear and concise resume that highlights your accomplishments perfectly. 

Here are our tips for cutting the clutter:

• Show your key selling points at the very beginning. If a data science degree is important in your field, it shouldn’t be buried at the end of a three-page resume.
• Focus on your accomplishments instead of job descriptions. If the bullet point can be extrapolated to someone else’s resume, it’s a job description, not a specific accomplishment.
• Avoid irrelevant or outdated information. Want to include your pizza delivery experience in your job application as a research analyst? Use an editor’s eye to decide whether you’re holding on to your past for emotional reasons.

6. Make Your Resume Easy to Scan  

Your resume should be easy to read and formatted to look both modern and professional. 

Even if you’re the next Picasso, a resume isn’t the best place to showcase your design skills (save this for your portfolio instead). 🤪

Too many fonts or colors can add extra noise and be displeasing to hiring managers. 

Instead, a simple resume helps your achievements stand out and make it easy for recruiters to find critical information at a glance. 

You can also break up information in the form of short, bite-sized subheadings. Use subheaders for training, skills, or special projects you were involved in , using bullet points to stress results or achievements.

7. Use a Resume Builder

A resume builder is an online tool that generates a resume with your provided information in a template of your choice.

Using a resume builder helps to save time that you’d otherwise spend formatting a Word document or other file to create a professional-looking resume. 

Casting a wider net? With a resume template, you can customize each job application much faster and improve your odds of landing a job within your anticipated timeline.

In a vastly competitive world, making an excellent first impression is one of the most important things. 

Building a resume yourself can be overwhelming, especially when you think about all the information you need to include, but a resume template helps you organize your information in a unique and appropriate way .

Our top three (free!) resume builders 🏆

1. Resume Genius has an extensive collection of professional resume templates varying from “Taj Mahal” to “Classic.” Users can access the easy fill-in-the-blank sections to build a comprehensive resume in no time. 

2. Resume.io is our favorite resume builder for customizing resumes for specific jobs. The platform also has a built-in grammar checker to ensure you’re delivering a top-notch, error-free resume.

3. Jobscan is great if you want to ensure your resume passes the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) test. The resume builder is up-to-date with ATS trends and provides you with ATS-specific tips to get your resume noticed. 

8. Proofread (And Proofread Again!)

In the rush to be an early applicant, you might be tempted to submit your resume without a final check.

Though it may seem like a time-consuming exercise, proofreading can mean the difference between getting an interview and getting rejected . 

A correct preposition, an Oxford comma, and perfect spelling can all show you in a positive light. Go through your resume slowly from beginning to end to check for spelling or grammatical errors . 😏

You can also run it through any of the readily available spellcheck apps or ask a friend to check it for mistakes to be doubly sure. 

READ MORE: 17 Study Apps Every College Student Needs to Have

9. Stick to a One-Page Format

A survey by Saddleback College revealed that 48 percent of hiring managers prefer a one-page resume for entry-level positions — another reason why you should consider sticking to the basics and keeping your resume short! 

Since companies often receive hundreds of applications for open positions, they prefer candidates who show them concrete results without utilizing much of their time.

This means if you have just one page to write, you should jot down the most important and resourceful information about yourself. 

A clean, well-formatted, single-page resume also shows you are organized and can summarize all your skills and achievements within a one-page limit. 

This way, your accomplishments are easily visible, and you won’t overstuff your resume with irrelevant information.

Now that you have an impressive resume, check off these final few steps to land that coveted job interview: ✔️

• Check your social media accounts. Many recruiters take the trouble of looking beyond your resume, so you should delete any awkward or incriminating posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. 
• Add a cover letter along with your resume to express that you’re enthusiastic and keen to be part of the company. This is another opportunity to spell out why you’re perfect for the role! 
• Personalize your resume file name before you send it out. Trivial as this may seem, companies receive hundreds of applications for each job post, and hiring managers may lose your file if you label it as “Resume.docx.” Consider adding your first and last name to distinguish yourself from others. For instance, “RyanSmith_Resume.docx.”

Finding a job can be tedious and frustrating because most employers have hundreds of applications flooding their inboxes.

Fear not! An impressive resume can help you stand out and improve your chances of landing your dream job. 😌

Other Readers Loved:

31 states with free community college to save you money, colleges in the us with the weirdest (sometimes funny) names, 11 college names that’ll make you scratch your head (worldwide).

The College Post is part of Globe Post Media, a US digital news organization publishing the world’s best targeted news sites.

Latest Posts

13 best college traditions in the us to ignite school spirit, 12 best books for college students: 2024 must-reads, these 10 us colleges offer awesome work-study programs, most popular, these are the cheapest colleges in the us, 73 top side hustles for college students to make fast cash in 2024, fast access.

© Globe Post Media | All rights reserved

• May 29, 2022
• Education Advice

Resume Writing Tips for College Students

UOTP Marketing

Compiling a resume is a tricky thing to do for college students. They’ve seen people submit their resumes before, and they know that what gets listed first is the work experience. And that’s what they don’t have yet, so what else should be on the resume of a college student?

We have gathered some of the top resume tips for you to read and see how to create a top-notch content that will impress your potential employer. After all, your resume will be the first contact that your employer will have with you. So you might as well invest in it!

How to Make a Good Resume for College Students

Without further ado, let us introduce you to some great tips that will help you make a top-notch resume.

1. Highlight the indented position

Your employer must know you are aware of the position you’re applying for. Most people focus on bragging their achievements so much that they forget to mention how they would add their own values to the vacancy that is announced. So read all the details regarding the job you’re applying for, do some research on how that job is perceived in the labor market, and connect the data with what you put down in the resume.

2. Specify your Education

Whether that be a major or minor. You should highlight the education you have pursued, putting down the coursework that relates to the job you’re applying for, and other relevant educational experiences that you have. Make sure you double-check the eligibility, and to see if the job you’re applying for corresponds to your degree. Although, in some cases, there might be exceptions.

3. Elaborate on your experience

Leadership skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills do not appear all of a sudden once you start working strictly from 9-5. They emerge slowly as you experience different stages of your life that help you build up your professional strengths. And through your resume, you can choose to mention internships, community work, or volunteer work that has shaped your mindset of today.

Employers love creative people who can make the best out of every experience, so you have one shot to wow them with how you connect your life lessons with future goals. Do not be humble, and use the opportunity.

4. List your achievements

If you won a creative writing contest on your first year of college, or you lead a whole winning team through a project management task – make sure to bring that up in your resume. Your achievements will show your recruiters the areas on which you’re best at, and will make them want to get to know you personally. Surely, you will be asked to elaborate on them during the interview, so you choose wisely the recognitions you are going to list.

5. List down your special skills

Everything that makes you stand out from the masses is worth noting here. Whether you speak multiple languages, know how to use several computer programs, or have a way with words during public speaking. Let all of this information sink in your resume, as it will pay off for the next stages of your recruitment process.

6. Double-check your writing

People’s professionalism often gets judged on the way they write and present their written pieces to a specific audience. Bear in mind that your resume will be revised carefully by people whose only job is to actually go through resumes and choose a proper candidate. So make sure to spell check everything more than twice, use appropriate grammar, and especially proper capitalization.

7. Put your judgment to use

Try looking at your resume from a neutral perspective. Consider you are an HR representative in the company that you are applying to. Ask yourself questions like: Is this resume outstanding? Does it awaken my curiosity to meet this person? Would you hire you? Try updating your CV until the point where you have answered yes to all of these questions.

8. Have someone read it

Although trying to read your resume from a neutral perspective is recommended, having someone give you a third or fourth opinion is also very convenient. You should not fear criticism, specifically constructive one, as people try to let you know where you need to add up or reduce irrelevant information about yourself.

9. Transmit self-confidence

Do not underestimate people’s ability to read between the lines. Make sure to choose your articulation very carefully by letting your employer know that you’ve got the leadership skills , passion, and commitment to own the work. That is why experts in this field suggest that you use expressions such as I firmly believe, I am convinced, etc.that give away your level of self-sufficiency and confidence.

How to List Skills to Resume

Knowing what skills to add to your resume and how to list them is actually a skill itself — it can make or break your resume. The first thing you want to consider is the aesthetic part of your resume. You can either list the skills in a separate section of the paper or integrate them into your job experience section. Whichever option you decide to go by, the next step is to carefully select the skills you want to add. Do not add skills just for the sake of adding them. Moreover, avoid at all costs listing skills that are not relevant to the requirements of the job you are applying for. While you might be tempted to list every skill, focus only on the most important ones, and leave space to discuss the ones not mentioned during the job interview.  

Interested in pursuing a degree?

Fill out the form and get all admission information you need regarding your chosen program.

This will only take a moment.

Message Received!

Thank you for reaching out to us. we will review your message and get right back to you within 24 hours. if there is an urgent matter and you need to speak to someone immediately you can call at the following phone number:.

By clicking the Send me more information button above, I represent that I am 18+ years of age, that I have read and agreed to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy , and agree to receive email marketing and phone calls from UOTP. I understand that my consent is not required to apply for online degree enrollment. To speak with a representative without providing consent, please call +1 (202) 274-2300

• We value your privacy.

Highlight only the relevant hard skills that qualify you for the job. These include the educational background and experience, so do not include anything that does not fit the job description.

Soft skills, also known as transferable skills , are also essential to list on your resume. These are universal skills that can be applied to any profession and the skills that employers look for in new candidates. Transferable skills include critical thinking, multitasking, technology proficiency, teamwork, and communication skills. 

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) , the most valued skills hiring managers look for are problem-solving and effective teamwork, followed by written communication skills, leadership skills, strong work ethic, analytical skills, initiative, detail-oriented, and technical skills. 

In order to know exactly what skills to add to your resume, carefully research the company and read the job description. 

College Student Resume Template

The following is a template that includes all the essential information you should include in your resume.

These are our top 9 resume writing tips all wrapped up for your next job application.

Whereas for any relevant information that the University of the Potomac can help you with, please contact us .

Share it with your friends!

Explore more.

Accounting vs. Finance Degree: Which Major to Choose?

12 Important Bookkeeping Skills You Need for a Successful Career

Recent resources.

What Is Scope In Project Management?

5 Phases of Project Management Explained

Master’s Degrees: The Best Paying Fields

COO vs CEO: Differences and Responsibilities

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Chat with an Admissions Officer Now!

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degrees
• Masters Degrees
• Doctoral Degrees
• Faculty & Staff
• Accreditation
• Student Experience

QUICK LINKS

• Admission Requirements
• Military Students
• Financial Aid

More From Forbes

30 powerful resume keywords to beat ats in 2024.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Using the right resume keywords ensures you are able to shine a light on your skills and experience

More than 90% of employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to initially filter out or rank middle-skilled and highly-skilled candidates for job postings, according to a 2021 global study conducted by the Harvard Business Review.

This means that there is at least a 90% chance that your resume will not make it past the screening software.

Applicant tracking systems rely on keywords to assess candidate suitability—and these keywords are the ones that are located within your resume. The problem is, many candidates do not know how to make a resume effective because they fail to include the most appropriate keywords for their industry and role they are applying to. Consequently, they never (or hardly ever) make it past the screening stage to secure an interview.

While there are several factors that determine whether your resume makes it past the ATS or not (although a few are beyond your control), knowing what skills to put on your resume and which resume keywords to include, are a few of the most critical steps you can take to ensure your resume beats ATS.

Why Use Resume Keywords?

"A recruiter will never see that candidate’s application, even though it might fill all of the employer’s requirements," continued the HBR study. Therefore, being the perfect fit for a role is not good enough. You might tick every box and fulfil all the requirements listed on the job description, yet fall short of being shortlisted for the role, all because your resume did not effectively evidence the criteria and skills the employer is looking for.

Here is a simplified example of how an ATS works from a recruiter's point of view:

• You send your resume through a job portal.
• When the recruiter is sifting out 1,000 applications, they'll enter a skill such as "project management," "Power BI," or an education requirement such as "MBA," from the job description.
• This filters available resumes to 300 candidates.
• If your resume is optimized to include the keyword they are looking for, it will show up; if not, it will never be seen and you've just lost the potential to land a career-boosting opportunity to an AI-powered gatekeeper—ATS.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Matching keywords is an essential step to take before sending an application, or you could risk ... [+] being sifted out at the screening stage

Where To Find Keywords To Put On Your Resume

There are number of sources you can use to find keywords for your resume. The first and most obvious of them is the job advert itself. Taking a careful look at the job description, and the key requirements/person specification/ideal candidate section, carefully identify what are the core requirements that the employer is asking for.

You might find it useful to undertake a keyword highlighting exercise by copying and pasting the entire job description and person specification into a Word document, and highlighting the technical and soft skills that stand out to you the most, which are relevant to what you already have to offer.

For example, take a look at this sample job description from Workable for a cost analyst role:

"We are looking for a cost analyst to help us audit our expenses and find ways to make our operations more cost-efficient. You’ll be the go-to person for cost analysis and you’ll get to prepare reports to help management make better decisions. To do this job well, we’d like you to be well-versed in data and financial analysis, and have strong attention to detail. Ultimately, your job will be an integral part of our efforts to ensure profitability and business success."

It then proceeds to list the following responsibilities for the cost analyst role:

• Gather and analyze financial data
• Determine standard costs and investigate variances with actual costs
• Prepare detailed reports, both periodically and ad-hoc
• Help management make important decisions based on costs and benefits (e.g. investments, market growth, pricing changes)
• Create and manage budgets, and monitor spending
• Conduct audits on financial processes and transactions
• Monitor changes in processes or methods to calculate effects on overall costs
• Estimate product costs for existing and new products
• Forecast and analyze costs of processes, labor and inventory
• Suggest cost-reducing or profitable solutions
• Conduct market research to support future business planning

And then the advert proceeds to list requirements and skills for the role (pay close attention to this):

• Proven experience as a cost analyst, cost specialist or similar role
• Experience in data, operational and financial analysis
• Knowledge of accounting processes and software
• Strong analytical skills
• A business acumen
• Great attention to detail
• Good communication aptitude
• Degree in Finance, Accounting or similar field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred

With the above job advert, how many keywords can you easily identify?

Considering the above data, some of the likely resume keywords and skills used for the job posting above, which you would want to incorporate into your resume for a cost analyst role, include:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Good communication
• Attention to detail
• Cost analyst
• Accounting processes and software (and name a few)
• Financial analysis/Analyzing financial data

You can incorporate these keywords into your professional summary, skills highlights, and work experience and education sections.

ChatGPT can help you analyze a job description quickly and can even provide guidance on how to ... [+] tailor your resume for that specific role

How To Use ChatGPT To Find Resume Keywords

One time saving method you could employ to find keywords from the job advert and interspersed them throughout your resume, is to solicit the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, that has millions of users around the world—with one of the fastest, unprecedented technology adoption rates in history.

It uses LLM (large language models) to engage with you as any other human being would, providing you with timely information and shortening the length of time it takes to accomplish administrative and content writing tasks. While it is not wise to use ChatGPT to draft an entire resume for you on its own, it certainly can be helpful at key junctures in the resume writing process, for example, when analyzing and inputting keywords.

To use ChatGPT to find the best keywords to include in your resume, follow the below steps:

• Provide ChatGPT with a copy or excerpt of a job description for the role you want to apply for, and then prompt: "I am tailoring my resume to apply for this role. Please select and suggest keywords and phrases from this job advert that I can put into my resume. Include any technical skills, software tools, certifications, industry terminology, and soft skills listed in the advert."
• Now that ChatGPT has provided you with a list you can then begin incorporating these words and phrases throughout your resume, ensuring you proofread with each edit so it reads naturally and doesn't give the appearance of meaningless keyword stuffing.

Powerful Keywords To Include In Your Resume

Now that you have this background understanding, here is a sample list of some of the most common and essential keywords you should consider adding to your resume, for three specific industries—information technology, healthcare, and sales. These are categorized for ease of navigation and will provide you with an idea of what to look out for, as relates to your industry:

Resume Keywords For The Information Technology (IT) Industry

• Programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++)
• Cloud computing
• Network administration
• Agile methodologies
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning
• Data analytics
• IT project management

Resume Keywords For The Healthcare Industry

• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Clinical research
• Medical billing and coding
• Telemedicine
• Healthcare compliance
• Health informatics
• Medical imaging
• Healthcare quality improvement
• Health insurance
• Healthcare technology

Resume Keywords For The Sales Industry

• Business development
• Account management
• Client relationship management (CRM)
• Lead generation
• Prospecting
• Sales cycle
• Pipeline management
• Value proposition
• Sales forecasting
• Competitive analysis

Keywords include a range of technical skills, soft skills, and education requirements—and even your ... [+] years of experience

Using the right keywords can help you effectively sell yourself and shine as a star candidate to employers, ensuring your skills and experience do not go to waste or escape their notice. Through highlighting your expertise in this way (without keyword stuffing) you increase your chances of securing an interview.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

8 Connections to Make on Campus

First-year students should make an effort to meet more than just their peers and professors.

Getty Images |

Get to know these people on campus

Stepping onto campus as a student for the first time can be overwhelming. However, one way to mitigate the challenges of the college transition is by finding a supportive community. "These relationships – whether with peers, faculty or staff – serve as a crucial support network," Luis Inoa, associate dean of student living and wellness at Vassar College in New York, wrote in an email. "Students inevitably face personal, social, or academic roadblocks; having a network of connections can be pivotal in overcoming these hurdles. Engaging with the campus community not only fosters a sense of belonging but also lays the groundwork for academic success and personal growth, making the journey through college more fulfilling." Here are examples of eight groups of people to connect with on campus as a first-year student to help ease the adjustment to college. Experts say the more connections students establish, the better.

• Accessibility services staff

Before the start of classes, students who need housing or academic accommodations – such as having access to audio or video recordings of lectures or extra time on a test – should visit the accessibility services office on campus. "Many students who might have had accommodations in high school think of college as a time to try to go without," says Amy Armenia, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of sociology at Rollins College in Florida. But "it's better to not need them and have them, than to not have them and need them. ... I recommend an early contact with that office for anybody whose had accommodations in K-12 ."

(Getty Images) |

• Academic advisers

Academic advisers help students navigate their program of study to ensure they are meeting all of their graduation requirements. Students can make an appointment for an in-person or sometimes virtual visit with their academic adviser. Rutgers University—New Brunswick in New Jersey, for instance, offers live chats "so students can just hop on if they have a question and get an answer pretty quickly," says Carolyn Moehling, the school's senior vice provost and vice chancellor for undergraduate education. It's important to get a meeting early into the academic year, Armenia says, "so that they can get to know your passions and what you are interested in, and then they can help you figure out the timeline for meeting those goals."

Relationship-building with peers can occur during orientation, in the dorms or in the classroom. "Those are great first connections," Armenia says. "Sometimes it's good to remind them that it can take a little while to find those true friends." Experts also advise students to get involved on campus. Colleges have an array of organizations, clubs and intramural sports available, which can help students connect with peers who share similar interests and hobbies.

Professors host office hours weekly, a time when students can drop by to ask questions about the course material, assignments or test preparation. Moehling recommends students also use office hours to learn how their professor got engaged in their particular discipline, as well as ask about career opportunities in their field. "I think it's important for students to understand why they are in college and get excited about being in college," she says. Building positive rapport with professors can be beneficial, as they could later serve as a professional reference or put in a recommendation for a research opportunity .

• Resident assistants and other peer leaders

For first-year students living in a dorm, resident assistants – who are often upperclassmen – help mediate conflicts between roommates , plan social and educational events for the hall and serve as a resource for any questions or issues that arise. Students should also take advantage of any peer mentorship programs, experts say. "Building connections could be overlooked by first-year students, or it might feel overwhelming," Shernita Lee, assistant vice provost for student success at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, wrote in an email. But getting to know some older students can be valuable.

• Campus staff members

A variety of staff members can help with the college transition or just be a friendly face on campus. Many students end up creating connections with service staff on campus, for instance, Armenia says. "You get students who simply feel that connection with the people who are working in the dining hall at breakfast time or the person who is doing the housekeeping in the dorm," she says. "I think the more that they see people they know, and they know people's names, none of that hurts."

(Hero Images | Getty Images)

• Career services staff

It's never too early to visit a college's career services office , which offers professional resources and advice, including mock-interview practice and networking opportunities. First-year students can learn how to build a resume for summer employment or internships, or how to find an on-campus job , for instance. "It’s important for first-year students to take some time to make themselves aware of the resources available on a campus," Lee says. "Sometimes you can anticipate your needs, but other times, they are unexpected and time-sensitive."

• Academic support staff

Not only do first-year students have to navigate their newfound independence, but they also face new academic challenges as the structure and rigor of college classes differs greatly from high school-level coursework. Colleges often have academic coaches or tutors on campus, as well as a writing center to help with essay assignments, so experts suggest taking advantage of these support services before their first midterm. "A lot of students just aren't used to having to do that," Moehling says. "So they don't. They resist that until it gets to be too late. We always try to encourage students to go to an academic coach maybe the second week of class ... and talk about how you used to approach your work in high school and discuss whether those strategies are going to work in college."

Resources for campus living

Learn about college living by checking out the U.S. News  guide to campus resources . Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and X/Twitter to get more advice on making the college decision.

Connections to make on campus

More From U.S. News

Don't Make These College Freshman Mistakes

18 Tips for Incoming College Freshmen

What to Expect on College Move-In Day

2024 Best Colleges

Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

You May Also Like

How to decide if an mba is worth it.

Sarah Wood March 27, 2024

What to Wear to a Graduation

LaMont Jones, Jr. March 27, 2024

FAFSA Delays Alarm Families, Colleges

Sarah Wood March 25, 2024

Help Your Teen With the College Decision

Anayat Durrani March 25, 2024

Toward Semiconductor Gender Equity

Alexis McKittrick March 22, 2024

March Madness in the Classroom

Cole Claybourn March 21, 2024

20 Lower-Cost Online Private Colleges

Sarah Wood March 21, 2024

How to Choose a Microcredential

Sarah Wood March 20, 2024

Basic Components of an Online Course

Cole Claybourn March 19, 2024

Can You Double Minor in College?

Sarah Wood March 15, 2024