By Cameron Lombardi
When looking over students’ resumes in my role as a Career Assistant, the area I usually spend the most time on is what sections they want to include in their resume. Some students have an abundance of information and don’t know where they can cut content while others feel that they don’t have enough to fill up their resume in the first place. It can be difficult to decide what information is worth putting in your resume, especially while trying to fit into that 1-page-exactly space that can be so hard to stick to. Here are some tips that might help you when deciding what sections to include in your resume:
- Consider what you’ll be using it for
It is always a good idea to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. By looking at the job listing, you can get an idea of what the employer is looking for and edit your resume accordingly. For example, if the job listing specifies that they are looking for a candidate who can work with others, you might utilize more space on your resume on a Campus Involvement section. Even when you aren’t looking at one job in particular, you can create your resume in line with the kind of work you are aiming for, such as a STEM major spending more time on a potential Research section.
- Don’t overlook your experiences
I often have students tell me that they just don’t think they have enough experience to fill up a resume. However, this is usually because they have experience, they just don’t think it is relevant enough to include. When filling your resume, don’t dismiss your experiences just because you don’t think they are significant enough. This can include jobs not in your desired field (food service, manual labor, etc.), sports, even hobbies. Some good additional sections to include are Organizations, Skills, or Interests. To be clear though, if you have enough content to fill your resume, you should include only the most relevant to fit one page.
- Make it your own
At the end of the day, your resume is a reflection of yourself. While you should certainly include the information the employer is looking for, don’t be afraid to let your personality show through. If you feel that certain experiences are important to who you are, include them even if they don’t directly apply to the position. If your campus involvement or extra-curricular interests make you who you are, include those sections.