Building Your Resume

          Going to college to get a major isn’t going to guarantee you a job. Employers look for a variety of things when deciding who is best fit for the job. Employers want someone who is willing to go above and beyond. It is important to start building your resume now so you can be competitive in today’s job market. A college major is only part of what should be on your resume. There are many other important items that need to be added including, internships, extra-curricular activities, and any prior job experience you may have.

            Of course your education is one of the most important parts of your resume. Employers want someone who is knowledgeable and succeeded in their academics. However they also want to see involvement outside of the class room. This could include, volunteering, leadership opportunities, clubs, and even athletics. They are not necessarily looking for a whole list of things you were involved in. They are looking for one or two clubs or activities that forced you to communicate with others and stay busy. Participating in extra activities outside of the classroom show work ethic and that you are willing to go beyond what is required of you.

            Employers also want to see that you have experience in the career you are applying for. Good ways to gain some experience are internships. Having internships on your resume show that you are truly interested and passionate about the career you are pursing. It also gives you hands on experience that you can’t get in the classroom alone. Internships can be both paid and volunteer work without pay. It is also a good idea to have some type of prior job experience on your resume. Employers want to be able to contact someone you used to work for and find out how you made either a positive or negative influence on the company. If you had a bad experience with your previous employer it could be a good idea to leave that off your resume if at all possible.

            Communication and being able to effectively present information to others is one of the most important things employers are looking for. These skills can be shown on your resume through social clubs and activities that you have participated in. Today’s job market is highly competitive, just having a college major might not be enough. So go above and beyond and push yourself so when you graduate you can be confident that you are best qualified for your desired career.