In my role as Resume Strategist, I have worked with many recent grads, and also with students vying for the best co-op placements. Over time I have accumulated some expertise in developing this resume niche. And as time goes by, I realize that students simply have no idea at all of what belongs on their resumes! Most are skeletal! A little outline and no substance. Follow these four and a half steps to a resume that gains attention, and lands interviews.

Step 1

Be clear on what your goal is. Quite a few students, close to completing their last year, still claim to not know what they want to be when they graduate! That’s a problem in terms of the resume. In order to be highly effective, a resume needs to be highly focused. That is, it needs to be layered with relevant-to-the-job information. You may wonder what a student has that is relevant to any job! Here’s a real-life example:

A recent client, let’s call him Roy, who had completed an Honours Environmental Biology degree, aspired to a Policy Development Intern, a position that incorporated political process and environmental issues.  In interviewing Roy for his resume, I discovered that he indeed had the background to prove his suitability for this role. I was able to tie together his related coursework, volunteer experience, and an exemplary, albeit unrelated, work history that portrayed him as an ideal candidate.

Tip: Clarify your goal even if it means paying a career counsellor. Your resume will be effective, and your career will be off to a solid start.

Step Two

When in school, or just after graduating, your education is front and centre. Not only is it prominently displayed on the first page, you must also provide lots of detail. You cannot expect the reader (likely an HR practitioner) to know exactly what you studied. List out the relevant courses, include relevant papers, presentations, and projects. Include marks if they are outstanding, comments from instructors and professors if they are telling, and feedback from colleagues, if available.

Back to Roy’s resume:

I listed out related coursework in a three column, bulleted format, to effectively use valuable resume real-estate, and included additional coursework that Roy had signed up to complete over the summer, and also computer skills that included all of the Microsoft Office Suite, useful in any office setting. That listing was followed by relevant presentations and papers.

Tip: If you are having a great deal of difficulty coming up with this section, gather a group of family and colleagues to help you brainstorm this section. Every student has good content to fill this section. It is essential for an effective new grad’s resume.

Step 3

This step pertains to all resumes, whether student or CEO. It is the meat and potatoes of a resume, aka an “accomplishment-based” resume. This is the employment highlights — and notice I said highlights, not position description, not detailed listing, but highlights. This section is where the savvy applicant will address those industry non-specific, career-boosting, interview-landing accomplishments. What, you ask, is this all about? Very simple. Address profits, performance and productivity, and you will have the potential employer’s attention.

Although Roy’s seasonal and part time employment had nothing to do with political process or with the environment, nonetheless I was able to draw out accomplishments. These showcase the energy, dedication, effort and abilities he brought to the workplace. Context, numbers, concrete examples of challenges tackled, improvements made, teamwork and individual work — these speak to any employer in any industry. Here are a couple of sample statements, taken from Roy’s and other students’ resumes:

—Hand picked by Express Personnel out of 30 temporary staff as one of two chosen to work at AC company after season working at VSA Ltd.; hired as full time permanent after 3 months.

—Doubled first day sales average; continued to maintain sales equal to more experienced sales staff.

—Achieved 3rd place in the district, which extends from London to Guelph, Elora to Cambridge, for RSP sales referrals.

—Completed, on own initiative, 2 years of in-house product knowledge courses within 3 months of starting with TD.

Tip: Finding this part a challenge? Try using a formula, such as SAR (Situation Action Result) or CAR (challenge Action Result) or SMART (Specific Measurable Action-oriented Results generated and Time Specified) to get a handle on these. Create an accomplishment-based resume and you’re a winner!

STEP 4

Add a few layers if you can. Think hard and see what you can come up with that is related to the position — it can be from your personal reading history, self-study, affiliations, quotes from Performance Appraisals, volunteerism, competitions — the sky’s the limit. The only rules here: it must be relevant, and this list must not include politics or religion. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule, as in the case of Roy. I did include some of Roy’s political non-partisan interests, but I omitted that he had worked for a specific party’s election process. In general, political and religious affiliation do not belong on your resume, and what you use is as crucial as what you might omit.

Tip: Awards earned in competition showcase leadership, commitment, self-discipline - these are always relevant, whether earned in sporting competition or entering a writing competition and everything in between. Volunteerism too showcases attachment to your community, altruism, good time management and organization as well. Almost everyone has something to add!

STEP 4 ½

We’re down to the last little step that can best be summed up in two short phrases: Don’t Lie and Be Authentic.

Honesty is always the best policy. Stories abound of people who lied and were then found out, which is easier minute by minute, with FaceBook and other Internet search capabilities. If you have a situation in your work history that you don’t know how to deal with, get some help from a resume writer, or career or interview coach.

Authenticity will serve you well throughout your career. Write authentically, and present yourself authentically in person. That way you will be hired for who you are, not for a made-up persona; that way you will have an excellent chance of succeeding in  your role; that way, you will have excellent material for your resume, and your career will grow and flourish.

The approach I use differs with each client, however, I represent each authentically, and produce a highly personalized product.

TIP: Use the information I’ve shared in this article, but strategize it to your own strengths, goals, abilities and education.

Stephanie Clark, owner of New Leaf Resumes, was recently awarded “Best New Graduate Resume” through Career Professionals of Canada. With cover letters soon to be published in “Cover Letters for Dummies, 3rd Edition,” she knows a thing or two about her subject! Stephanie welcomes your questions; contact her through www.newleafresumes.ca.

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