Maybe you’ve just graduated and haven’t truly started the job search yet, or perhaps you’ve been working for a family friend who never asked you for a resume. No matter what, if you don’t have a resume yet, nothing can feel more daunting than staring at that blank page. We’re here to help.
Almost every job-hunter started just where you are. Writing a resume isn’t a creative exercise: you just need to follow the right formula. We’re here to give you that formula, so you can build a resume that will open doors for your career.
Whether you’re writing your first resume or starting from scratch when you change career paths, follow these steps to start the job search with confidence.
Make a List
For many new job seekers, the hardest part about drafting a resume is figuring out what to put on it. With no prior job experience, how can you write a resume?
Before you start trying to put together your resume, start by brainstorming things you could include. Don’t worry too much yet about what’s relevant to your dream job and what isn’t. Consider things like:
- Education: Majors, grades, and school-related extracurriculars or clubs
- Volunteering: Any unpaid work you did
- Informal jobs: Babysitting, pet-sitting, and other temporary or unofficial jobs—internships are great for resumes too
- Awards: Things you’ve won for school, sports, or another reason
- Activities: Clubs, sports, and other non-school activities
- Skills: Any skills or abilities that could be related to a future job
- Social media: Relevant social media information, such as your email address (a professional-sounding one that features your name) and LinkedIn profile URL
Try to start the resume process early, so you’ll have plenty of time to make this list. More things will come to you as you start thinking about what you’ve done and what you’re good at.
Keep your list organized by sections (like “work,” “school,” and “achievements”), so you can easily plug the information into your resume later on. And even after you’ve built your resume, save this list and keep adding to it—it will make an excellent reference for future updates.
Research Potential Jobs
Before you get to writing your resume, take some time to research jobs you’d like to have.
Check job listings at companies you want to work for, or on websites like LinkedIn. Look for keywords and phrases that come up repeatedly, and write those down. Make a note of specific skills or types of experience required.
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Source : How to Write Your First Resume
