Writing a Student Resume
Students often feel overwhelmed when it comes to writing a resume. Your first resume is an important document that can help you land your first ‘real’ job. You might have worked places where you had to fill out a simple job application, or perhaps you’ve never worked anywhere. Either way, writing a student resume doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. With a little guidance, you can write the perfect resume which can help you get the job you want. First, let’s talk about how to make your resume look professional.
Your resume should be printed in black ink on high quality resume paper. Resume paper is heavier than regular printer paper. It is often textured and in a muted color like ivory or gray. Don’t use graphics or fancy fonts on your resume. Simple, common fonts like Times New Roman, Verdana, Tahoma and Courier are easy to read and look professional. Margins should be one inch all around the page, and there should be proper spacing in between entries.
At the top of the page is your contact information. You can make your name bigger than the address, email, fax and phone number. A few spaces down, you will want to put your objective. Your objective is a strong statement that details your intention and why you feel you are the right person for the job. Under the objective you will list educational details. List where you went to school or where you are going to school, the dates you attended, your main areas of study, your GPA and other pertinent information.
If you’ve worked at other jobs, you will list them next. If not, expand on your education further. Detail the classes you feel relate to the job you want. Talk about any awards or recognition you’ve achieved. List your special skills like computer experience or interpersonal skills that may relate to the job you’re applying for. It’s harder to get a job with zero work experience but it is certainly not impossible.
Writing a student resume is easier if you’ve got a little help. Ask a parent or teacher for assistance. Your school guidance counselor might also be a great place to turn. There are also some great books about writing student resumes that can offer a lot of help. Check out Creating Your High School Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing an Effective Resume For Jobs, College and Training Programs by Kathryn Kraemer Troutman.
