Applying for your first job can be intimidating, especially if you are required to submit a resume. Yet everyone starts somewhere, and many employers care more about what you can do than how many jobs you have held. Here’s how to build an attention-grabbing resume, even if you have no prior work experience.
Education
For those just entering the job market, your education may be the most important section on your resume. It shows that you are able to make commitments and follow-through and that you are open to learning new things. Be sure to highlight any specific courses you took that may be relevant to the job. For example, if you took a stagecraft class in high school, listing it shows potential employers that you know how to handle tools.
Skills
Most employers are looking for a combination of soft skills and hard skills. Soft skills are often the most important, especially for an entry-level job, as they are the most difficult to teach. Customer service, time management, Microsoft Office, problem-solving, and leadership are just a few soft and hard skills that you may have picked up throughout your life. In your interview, be ready to explain where and how you learned each skill and to give an example of a time you successfully used it.
Experience
This section can be the most intimidating for those without traditional work experience, but everyone has done something in the past that can translate to the working world. Have you ever babysat? Volunteered somewhere? Were you the captain of the football team or an officer in the chess club? Did you sell cookies or candy bars to support an organization?
Think through the experiences you’ve had that demonstrate leadership, cash handling, organization, or other skills that could be useful in the workplace. List them on your resume as work experience. Create 3 to 5 bullet points for each one that highlights your successes. For example, if you mowed lawns, your bullets might include the average number of lawns you mowed each week, how much you grew your business over time, and the fact that you built a website to advertise your services.
Building a resume is never easy, even for those with a great deal of work experience. If you’re new to the job market, you might feel worried and also overwhelmed. Fortunately, focusing your resume on what you’ve learned and what you can do can convince an employer to give you a chance.
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To learn how Custom Staffing can help you land your first job, contact us at 419-221-3097 or apply online today.
