by Robert McCauley, Robert Half International
College graduation is right around the corner. For students, this milestone marks not only the culmination of years of study but also the start of their professional careers. But many face a challenge: How to convince a prospective employer to hire them despite their lack of work experience.
A carefully crafted resume can do the trick. Below are some things to keep in mind when you write yours.
Look for 'Hidden' Skills
Entry-level professionals frequently worry about their lack of real-world experience. But you don't have to have held a full-time position -- or even a paid job, for that matter -- to have skills and experience that employers seek. Did you hold a part-time job or internship? Volunteer for a charitable organization or campus group? Serve as an assistant to a professor or tutor other students? Chances are, you've developed communication skills by writing memos or reports, leadership skills by supervising or training others, or project management skills by helping with the organization of a fundraiser or event. So, when compiling your resume, examine previous roles and highlight the abilities you obtained in each.
Showcase Your Education
If you received a degree from a prestigious university, maintained a high grade point average or earned an academic award, use it to your advantage by placing this information near the top of your resume. As you gain experience, academic accomplishments will carry less weight, but right now they can serve as a key selling point.
If, however, a certification or degree you hold is irrelevant to the career you seek -- you have a science-related degree but would like to work in real estate, for example -- feature your experience over your education.
Go Old School
The vast majority of professionals today submit resumes electronically. But don't limit yourself to this approach; also consider mailing a hard-copy version of your resume to prospective employers. Printed on heavy white- or cream-colored paper, your resume could make a bold impression and distinguish you from other candidates.
If the job posting to which you responded does not list the hiring manager's name or contact information, you can usually find this information by calling the company. Just be sure to carefully review your resume before sealing the envelope; you may need to adjust the formatting of your document to ensure it prints correctly.
Follow Up
One easy way to stand out from the crowd of applicants: Follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your resume. It sounds simple, but it's effective. According to a survey by Robert Half International, 86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. Yet few candidates do. Often, a brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and strong qualifications is enough to prompt a potential employer to revisit your resume.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies plan to hire 17.4 percent more new college graduates this year than last. Increase your chances of landing the job you seek by focusing on your resume and creating a document that prospective employers can't resist.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com.
College graduation is right around the corner. For students, this milestone marks not only the culmination of years of study but also the start of their professional careers. But many face a challenge: How to convince a prospective employer to hire them despite their lack of work experience.
A carefully crafted resume can do the trick. Below are some things to keep in mind when you write yours.
Look for 'Hidden' Skills
Entry-level professionals frequently worry about their lack of real-world experience. But you don't have to have held a full-time position -- or even a paid job, for that matter -- to have skills and experience that employers seek. Did you hold a part-time job or internship? Volunteer for a charitable organization or campus group? Serve as an assistant to a professor or tutor other students? Chances are, you've developed communication skills by writing memos or reports, leadership skills by supervising or training others, or project management skills by helping with the organization of a fundraiser or event. So, when compiling your resume, examine previous roles and highlight the abilities you obtained in each.
Showcase Your Education
If you received a degree from a prestigious university, maintained a high grade point average or earned an academic award, use it to your advantage by placing this information near the top of your resume. As you gain experience, academic accomplishments will carry less weight, but right now they can serve as a key selling point.
If, however, a certification or degree you hold is irrelevant to the career you seek -- you have a science-related degree but would like to work in real estate, for example -- feature your experience over your education.
Go Old School
The vast majority of professionals today submit resumes electronically. But don't limit yourself to this approach; also consider mailing a hard-copy version of your resume to prospective employers. Printed on heavy white- or cream-colored paper, your resume could make a bold impression and distinguish you from other candidates.
If the job posting to which you responded does not list the hiring manager's name or contact information, you can usually find this information by calling the company. Just be sure to carefully review your resume before sealing the envelope; you may need to adjust the formatting of your document to ensure it prints correctly.
Follow Up
One easy way to stand out from the crowd of applicants: Follow up with the hiring manager after submitting your resume. It sounds simple, but it's effective. According to a survey by Robert Half International, 86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. Yet few candidates do. Often, a brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and strong qualifications is enough to prompt a potential employer to revisit your resume.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies plan to hire 17.4 percent more new college graduates this year than last. Increase your chances of landing the job you seek by focusing on your resume and creating a document that prospective employers can't resist.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com.
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