How to Create Your First Resume

Resumes aren’t just for landing your first job. Some colleges are asking students to send them a student resume, also called a student profile. Colleges use resumes as a way to get to know students at a glance. You may also need a resume if you want to apply to graduate school, for fellowships or internships. If you haven’t started or don’t know what to write, no worries! We’ll help you create a resume that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Below are some of the main sections you’ll need for your profile. You may not need every section mentioned, but choose the sections that would make your resume shine based on the job, internship, or academic pursuit you're applying for! When in doubt, submit your resume to us and we will give you feedback within a week! 

Your Contact Information (Must Include)

Name, City, State, email, and phone number. If you don’t have it, how are schools or employers going to contact you? You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or personal website if you have those! There is no need to include your full address on your resume unless specifically asked. This can be a good way to protect your privacy!

Education (Must Include)

List the names and the location (city and state is more than enough) of the high school or high schools you attended and your anticipated graduation date. If you are using this resume for a college application or academic purpose you may also be asked to include your GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores. For most jobs, you won't need to include those class rank and test score specifics.

Relevant Coursework

Only add the coursework that directly relates to the position you are applying for. Those can include summer college classes, workshops, and more. For example, if you are applying for work as a math tutor for elementary students, list the courses related to math, youth development, and teaching. This is a great example of a section that you will likely leave off of a resume you're using to get a job that is unrelated to your academic pursuits.

Achievements

Share your biggest achievements and accomplishments. Were you on the varsity tennis team your freshman year? Were you the President of the National Honor Society at your school? Were you awarded Volunteer of the Year? Colleges and employers want to know! This is your place to brag!

Extracurricular activities

Show off the activities you’re proudest of! This could include sports teams you’ve been on, clubs you’re a member of, community service projects you’ve done, and/or work experience. If you feel that your school activities, community service, and work experience should have their own section, you can do that too (see below)! If you have specific date ranges, definitely include those because it shows your dedication to your passions.

Work/Volunteer Experience

If you’ve had a job or volunteer experience, you can choose to separate that from your extracurricular activities as its own section. In this section make sure to include the place you worked, title/position, dates, and a few bullet points that demonstrate what you were responsible for in that job. 

Skills

You might have skills on the dance floor, but on a resume, we are looking for technical skills. Do you know how to use tools like Photoshop or do you have a typing speed of 212 words per minute? Maybe you’re trained to fix cars or speak three different languages fluently. Whatever your skill is, colleges and employers want to know about it.

Get Schooled has all the resources you need to create and get feedback on your resume!

• Get a head start and use one of our Resume Templates so you don't have to worry about formatting!

• Submit your resume to us for free feedback and review!

If you have any questions about creating your resume, text #Jobs to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors (click here to have the text message set up for you). One of our trained college and jobs advisors can help you build your resume!