Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
As the year comes to a close, the search for the ideal summer job begins. Wherever students may look, there’s one component that is almost always needed: a fine-tuned resume. An applicant’s resume is often the first thing an employer will see, therefore, it’s necessary that it’s well put together. This first impression could be the difference between whether an applicant does or doesn’t get a position.
When putting together a professional looking resume, there are some tips students should keep in mind.
“Choose a different font from the defaults,” Dr. Lars Soderlund, professor of technical and workplace writing, commented. He added that the basics are all too familiar “and may make it more likely for your resume to be overlooked.” Instead, opt for a less popular font that might help you stand out.
Soderlund also added that students should “choose a resume template that you like, and make sure it fits with what career you’re pursuing.”
Junior communication studies major Karina Lopez, a Student Learning and Career Development employee, noted that students should “definitely keep it to one page. Add in any current involvement or work experience.” For those who have a lot of experience and are unsure what to include, she added that students should come into the office with a master resume and they will help ween it down to the important items.
On the other hand, some students may struggle and feel as if they don’t have enough to include — however, there are options.
“Focus on education,” Soderlund said. “Students forget that they’re very qualified for a lot of jobs merely by virtue of being in college … if you don’t have a ton of work experience, I recommend starting your resume with Education and having (Western) at the top.”
Soderlund also noted that it’s important to “make the most of your experience … whatever you’ve done, find a way to generate bullets about it that reflect its importance.”
Whether a resume has been edited several times, or it hasn’t even been started, a good place to go for some extra advice or help getting started is the SLCD office. Once there, it’s important to keep an open mind.
“Sometimes students want it to look one way, but at the same time we know what will be most effective,” commented Lopez.
Even if a resume has been checked, edited and reworked time after time, it never hurts to get another set of eyes on it again.
“I would definitely recommend coming in as many times as you can … coming in and polishing it off is great because feedback is always helpful,” Lopez mentioned.
Especially for graduating seniors, having a fine-tuned resume is of the utmost importance.
It should be written with care, and reviewed as frequently as possible to make sure it matches the job and hits all of the main points.
Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu
