I graduated recently and have been sending out resumes on my own to find a job. I was wondering what you think I should include in my resume to make it stand out. Besides internship, I have no other related experience. Is there any way that I can show that I am really responsible, organized and have something to offer from Day One?
Ready to Work
Dear Ready to Work:
First of all, congratulations on taking the initiative on conducting your own job search. Please refer back to your class notes and textbook from your Career Development class regarding resume writing. You may also want contact your Placement office where you will surely and happily be given tips and advice on how to stand out.
Do not discount your internship so easily. You need to recognize that you have had one of the longest – if not the longest – internship of any school in the State of New York. Emphasize that on your resume as well as the front and back end skills that you developed during internship in which you feel you are competent.
You definitely do have something to offer from Day One, because you, like everyone else, have transferable skills. These are skills which people develop in one situation that can be transferred to another. For example, you may have developed time management skills during your schooling, while at a particular job, or while doing volunteer work, and now can offer these valuable skills to your next employer from Day One.
You can demonstrate that you are organized and responsible as part of the duties and responsibilities you include on your resume. For example, if you “have successfully coordinated events,” this will demonstrate to a potential employer that you are organized. If you were “in charge of opening and closing the business,” it will convey that you are responsible.
You also convey that you are qualified by having a resume that identifies verifiable accomplishments (using percentages, numbers, dollars, etc.), procedures, or systems that you implemented or improved upon, as well as any awards or recognition you may have received. Be certain to zero in on achievements, skills and results. Consider the example below:
BEFORE:
Cashier, XYZ Department Store, City, State 05/06 – Present
* Count and balance drawer at the beginning and end of shift
* Prepare receipts for bank deposits
* Assist with inventory and maintaining work area
AFTER:
Cashier, XYZ Department Store, City, State 05/06 – Present
* Employee of the Month winner (4 times) – promoted to Head Cashier in charge of opening and closing registers
* Reorganized cash register closeout system making the process less time consuming and more accurate
* Caught shoplifters several times saving the store from losing about $3000 in merchandise
Same job seeker, just a different way of making what they did at a job stand out. Which description do you think would impress an employer more?
You also need to package this great experience of yours into a visually-dynamic resume that is “keyword scannable” (for those companies that use online software to review resumes), and easy-to-skim quickly by the human eye. You need to use consistency in style, perfect grammar and punctuation, action verbs and key words.
Remember, you had the skills, knowledge, fortitude and determination to complete the Allen School program and the same qualities make you a valuable asset to any medical enterprise. Good luck!
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