I previously spoke about studying abroad and many of the benefits that root from such an amazing experience; however, in addition to being a great experience, study abroad also looks great on your resume!
What is a resume? In its simplest form, your resume is a synopsis or outline of all of your experiences that relate to the field of work you are interested in. It should be tailored to fit the job you are applying to or to the field of study you are interested in furthering if you are including it in your graduate school application.
Why is it important to have an impressive resume? In our current economy, the job market is very competitive. Because there are many people in search of a job, your resume needs to set you apart from the rest and help you get your foot in the door. You need to highlight and demonstrate the repertoire of experiences, qualifications, skills, and interests you have had that will benefit the organization.
Note: You are marketing yourself so it is okay to show off!
What exactly should you include in your resume? You should divide the relevant experiences you have had into different sections, such as: education, internship and work experience, extracurricular activities (including volunteering or community service), skills you have developed such as proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, an editing program, your fluency in multiple languages, etc., awards and honors you have received, and references. It is helpful to keep a master copy of your resume with all of your experiences, but remember to tailor each resume you give out to the specific internship, job, or field of study you’re applying for and to make it only one page.
Note: When you write the experiences on your resume include a brief description of each project you have accomplished answering the following: What was the project/task? Who was it for? What was the purpose? And, what skill, knowledge, or accomplishments did you gain after completing it?
What if I don’t have experience the job I am really interested requires? If you realize that you cannot tailor your work and academic experiences to fit the job description you are applying for, perhaps you need to take on a new project, volunteer at an organization where you can gain that knowledge/skill, take an extra class, or intern (unpaid or paid) at a company that parallels with the field of your interest. Or, for the time being you can emphasize on the characteristics you have that are valued by the institution or that can be applied to other areas. For instance, demonstrate that you are a leader, great team player, able to work in a professional environment, etc. High School students, you have a great advantage because you have the opportunity to start early! College Students, visit the career link on our website where there are numerous resources available to you, and visit your own university’s career center! If you do not fall in either category, the Latinos in College website offers resources for all age groups and for all disciplines.
Note: This blog advises you about why you should build your resume and what you should include, but formatting your resume is a completely different conversation. The links below will guide you on how you should structure and organize your resume before submitting it:
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/career/guides/resume.shtml/
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-write-a-resume
http://www.freeresumehelp.net/your_resume_format.html
http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/career/guides/resume.shtml/
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-write-a-resume
http://www.freeresumehelp.net/your_resume_format.html
If you like this blog, check out:
Mariela's VideoLog: Internships: a key to your future
Mariela's VideoLog: Cultivating your future letter of recommendation
