Applying for entry-level jobs is often quite easy but for many first-time applicants, there is always that challenging aspect. They do not have the experience and the wisdom that comes with years and years of application experience.
When it comes to applying for entry-level jobs, your resume is your key to getting hired. Many applicants still struggle to formulate and draft their resumes, which results in their not getting hired. You can correct your resume with these resume tips for entry-level jobs so you can land your first job.
Check out the article below to learn the best resume tips for entry-level jobs and land your first job immediately.
Resume Tips for Entry-Level Jobs
Applying for the first time can be very stressful so you need all the help that you can get to help you land your first job.
Your resume should be in its best form before you even hand it over to the recruiter.
Follow these resume tips, and you will surely get the job in no time.
Choose the Right Format
Format is crucial to ensuring the recruiter can skim through the information as fast as possible. If your resume does not have the proper format, the information you are to present might not be immediately available for them to read.
It is important that all of the information can be seen in a few glimpses, and by choosing the right format, they can do so. It is also best that your resume is presented in chronological order as well as in a functional format.
You can check out several resume formats and samples to follow to draft a well-formatted resume.
Always Highlight Your Education
As a first-time applicant, you won’t have that much work experience to show yet so what better way to impress your future employer than to highlight your education?
Consider adding any relevant courses that will showcase your knowledge and any honors you received while studying. You can even add relevant projects that you spearheaded that resulted in success.
You can also add any certifications you have earned to prove that you are indeed a skilled individual.
Include Any Relevant Experience
Speaking of educational attainment, you may have had all of the education throughout your entire college years, but nothing beats work experience. If you have any relevant experience for the job position, always be sure to include it.
You can add any volunteer experience to your resume. This lets them know that you are willing to work with others, especially when you have a similar goal.
You can even include your internship years as well as any part-time jobs that you have worked on while you were studying. Having such experience while also studying can be very compelling for recruiters as it shows how responsible you are with your time and finances.
List Relevant Skills
A lot of first-time applicants have skills that are quite useful to the industry that they’re applying for but that does not mean that you should list down every skill that you have.
Read the job description and list down the relevant skills that will most likely help you get the job. Emphasize any transferable skill that you have such as teamwork and problem-solving skills.
These are essential skills that will always be very important in any kind of work. Apart from that, list down any leadership skills, social media fluency, and even customer service skills that you have learned along the way.
Add Contact Information and References
Most applicants tend to write their contact information and references at the end of their resume. Do not make this mistake and add your contact information as well as your references at the top of your resume.
Add your full name, phone number, professional email address, and even your physical address so they can immediately contact you after they have reviewed your resume.
List down the most accurate and up-to-date contact information to prevent any delays with your application. Make sure that you also follow a format with your contact information so that the recruiter can easily get the details that they need from your resume.
Try to Add More Sections
The rule of drafting a resume is to provide the most concise information within a single page. You don’t need to add a second page for all of the information that you have.
However, if you want to give more information to boost your chances of getting hired, you can always add more sections.
A few common sections that you can add can include any achievements from work, certifications, awards, and even languages that you have learned. Highlight your certifications as much as possible, especially with where you earned it.
Make Good Use of Bullet Points
When writing your resume and you want to show off several points, it is best that you make good use of bullet points.
Bullet points help describe what you’re able to achieve in chronological order. It also helps create guidelines for the recruiter to find the information that they need from you. Be more specific with your entries as well.
Take Advantage of Resume Samples
If you don’t know how to draft your resume or even where to start, you can always take advantage of resume samples that can be found over the internet.
Take note that these resume samples are just guidelines. It should only tell you where you need to put your information strategically. It is also not the magic bullet that will help you get hired so be sure to use it for what it is – a sample.
Follow the format of the resume sample as you add your information and use it to your advantage.
Tailor Your Resume
Many first-time applicants make the mistake of using the same resume for every job application. This goes to show that you have not done your research about the position as well as the company.
Do not make this mistake and tailor your resume according to the job description and what the company is looking for. Remove any irrelevant information from your resume and add important details such as experience and skills so you can improve your chances of getting hired.
It is understandable that it takes extra effort to modify your resume after a few application failures, but it is still better to have an updated resume with accurate information.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
One of the most common mistakes that many applicants make with their resume is spelling errors. This is a critical mistake that might even cost you the job.
Always proofread your resume and double-check for spelling errors, especially in your name, contact details, and other significant information.
One wrong number from your contact information means that they will be calling a different person – that is how important proofreading is.
Conclusion
As a formal introduction to your potential employer, your resume should show recruiters and hiring managers who you are even before they get to meet you. Having a flawless resume means you already have the upper hand during your application, and as a first-time applicant, this is a great way to start your journey. Make sure to follow the resume tips mentioned above and be successful at job hunting.
