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Resume Tips for New Graduates

So you just walked off the stage with your degree in hand, and you're about to begin your first professional job search. Congratulations! You worked hard for your education credentials and they're definitely going to help you gain the attention of potential employers. As you write and polish your resume, you'll want to place your education information proudly near the top of the page.

But what about your experience? The "experience" section of the resume can present a few challenges to new graduates who lack on-the-job training for obvious reasons. Here are a few ways to navigate this obstacle. Make the most of the experience you have, and you'll open doors to the experience you still need.

No Experience: Resume Tips for Young Job Seekers

1. Most mid-career resumes begin with a summary, followed by an education section, followed by a chronological job history. Since your job history looks thin, focus instead on your skills. Use this portion of the resume to discuss your most relevant course work, your most interesting academic projects, and your internship if you completed one.
2. After a discussion of your skills, briefly list your experience in retail, food service, summer camp counseling or lifeguarding. These jobs show an employer that you know how to take direction, show up on time, and work for a paycheck. But since they may not involve your professional field, focus on listing them, not describing each position in detail.
3. Spin the value of your summer or part time jobs without going overboard. Hostessing at a restaurant requires customer service and professional tact, and working with children shows strong competence, confidence, and multitasking skill. Just don't overstate your actual level of responsibility.
4. Get help. A professional resume service like FreeResumeBuilder.orgcan help you polish your credentials and start your climb up the ladder to success.