As a leading provider of career services, including resume writing, cover letter writing and interviewing preparation help, ResumeSpice and our team of career consultants sees resumes from a wide range of professionals.
For this post, we’re going to focus on the concerns of new grads…
Our ResumeSpice career consultants compiled common questions they receive about entry-level resume writing to share with you on your journey to land your next opportunity.
How do I make my resume look more extensive than it is?
When you don’t have a lot of professional experience, it’s tempting to try and bulk up the experience you do have with filler information. We often see this in the form of over-explaining each bullet point. But you don’t have to do that. In fact, recruiters and hiring managers prefer not to read walls of text, so keep your list of bullets to the most important, impressive duties.
And since most entry-level positions require two years or fewer years of experience (by definition), no recruiter expects you to have a robust professional history. If you feel the need to provide additional color that your resume format doesn’t allow, a cover letter may be the best avenue for doing so.
Only time and experience can fill out your resume. Focus on getting that first job and the rest will follow.
Should I include an objective or a summary?
The truth about objective statements is that, at best, they’re not read – and at worst, they can eliminate you from the running for a job. If your objective does not match the role you’re applying for EXACTLY, that’s a reason for your recruiter to screen it out. Lastly, objective statements are redundant – recruiters already know you’re seeking an opportunity by virtue of the fact that you have applied!
Can I include volunteer work on my resume?
Absolutely. We typically encourage entry-level professionals to include volunteering, internships, and even coursework that can demonstrate that you have the experience and/or skillsets to do the job.
Getting that first job out of college can be a tricky road to navigate at times, but hopefully the above tips are helpful as you begin your journey.
If you need input, advice, or a custom resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile, call ResumeSpice today – we would love to help!
