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Matteson, Scott, "College graduates can make the most of their job hunts using these insider tips", 28 June 2021
Summary:
This article goes over how the current landscape of jobs looks and how it is changing. It also provides tips for writing a resume as well as what to do during the job search process.
Reflection:
The in depth overview of the current job market is very helpful and the tips provided for writing a resume are solid. This article is more about how the job market looks and how to learn more and be more successful.

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College graduates can make the most of their job hunts using these insider tips

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Job hunting for new graduates presents certain challenges, especially in these unique times. Learn some tips from six insiders to help you land the job you’re looking for.

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"Top 6 Tips for Writing Excellent College Graduate Resume", 7 April 2021
Summary:
This article includes key tips and solutions to easily made mistakes.
Reflection:
The easily followable layout and short descriptions make this article a digestible read. The information included is solid but does not go as in depth as other articles.

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For someone who's just fresh out of college, writing an effective resume can be a challenge, considering you might have little to no work experience to speak of. You will likely be vying for a position against seasoned applicants, and that means you need to work extra hard in giving recruiters and hiring managers good reasons to choose you over them. Easier said than done, but not entirely impossible, especially when you keep in mind the following tried-and-tested college graduate resume tips.

1. Use a professional-looking email address

Leave the witty college email address behind and replace it with something more formal. It may have elicited plenty of guffaws back at the dorm, but the only thing it's going to do for your recent graduate resume is hastening its way to the trash bin. If you want potential employers to take you seriously, create a professional-looking email address, even if it's solely meant for job hunting.

2. Include a LinkedIn profile

As the social media platform of choice for professionals, it has become essential for job seekers to have a LinkedIn account that they can attach to their resume. A LinkedIn account allows interested recruiters to learn more about applicants and do a bit of background checking to see if a shortlisted candidate would be a good fit for the company. So make sure your LinkedIn profile is polished, and attach a working link to your college graduate resume.

3. Write a strong and concise summary

Too many fresh grads waste their summary on proclamations that only serve to annoy rather than impress. Savvy recruiters can spot a template-based one-size-fits-all college graduate resume from a mile away, so make sure your summary statement is tailored not only for the particular job but the company as well. Avoid tired words such as "go-getter," "team player" and "ambitious." Begin your sentences with strong active verbs like "spearheaded," "mobilized," "coordinated," "orchestrated," and the like. And keep your paragraph four to five lines max for brevity.

4. Use the right keywords

Companies today are increasingly using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they reach the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager. And the best way to pass these systems is to include the right keywords in your recent graduate resume. Review the job listing thoroughly and take note of the key terms and phrases used for the skill and experience requirements. If you possess them, make sure to work them into your college graduate resume. The Core Competencies and Work Experience sections are great places to use these keywords.

5. Mention your college, but not your high school

HR people are more interested in your recent activities, so focus on highlighting your accomplishments and key contributions during your college years, with emphasis on those that could prove helpful to you getting the position. It's best to forgo mentioning high school altogether unless you have major academic achievements that add value to your college graduate resume.

6. List your GPA if it's 3.0 or higher

A high-grade point average never fails to impress, especially for recent college grads. If your GPA is 3.0, 4.0, or higher, make sure to mention that in your resume. Don't bother if your score is lower. And be prepared with an honest answer in case they ask you why you didn't include your GPA during your job interview.

Need help with writing your recent graduate resume?

Resumeble has first-rate resume writers who can help shape your document into the all-important tool that gets your foot in the door. Send us your recent graduate resume today for a free, no-cost evaluation.

3 FAQs about college resume writing

Q: How long should my recent college graduate resume be?

A: Even when you have plenty of experience to speak of, it's best to limit your resume to one page. Studies suggest that readers only take an average of six seconds to evaluate a resume and decide if it's worth shortlisting. A one-page resume ensures that recruiters can make up their mind quickly on whether they are interested in hiring you.

Q: How should I format my recent college graduate resume?

A: Here's the most effective way to format a college resume: Start with an attention-grabbing summary or objective. Next, list your current academic accomplishments in detail, complete with honors and coursework. If you have work experience, frame these with quantifiable achievements. Don't forget to check your resume for errors. You want to show recruiters and hiring managers that you are meticulous about detail.

Q: What should I include in my college grad resume?

To provide employers with a well-rounded idea of your qualifications, here's how you should structure your new graduate resume:

Contact information

Summary statement

Education history

Relevant experience

List of hard and soft skills

This format works for most cases, but depending on your situation, you may want to organize the sections according to what you want to highlight the most. If you believe your skills make you highly qualified for the job, then you can move your resume's Skills section closer to the top of your resume. If you have any internship that relates to the job you are applying for, mention these in the relevant experience section.

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TOP 6 Tips for Writing Excellent College Graduate Resume

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For someone who's just fresh out of college, writing an effective resume can be a challenge, considering you might have little to no work experience to speak of. You will likely be vying for a position against seasoned applicants, and that means you need to work extra hard in giving recruiters and hiring managers good reasons to choose you over them.

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Hess, Melanie, "Resume Tips for College Graduates with No Work Experience", 25 May 2020
Summary:
This article goes over what to include as well as how to appear more professional. The article goes into plenty of detail on how to achieve this as well as how the appearance of a resume is very important.
Reflection:
The in depth descriptions and examples make this article an easy read despite its length. The language used also draws the reader in as it relates to what experiences recent graduates would typically have.

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Remote Work From Home Job Search Tips and Advice

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You get 6 seconds. That's all. Six seconds to convince a hiring manager it's worth their time to find out more about you. Six seconds before they pass over your resume for the next 250 resumes each corporate hiring manager receives on average. As an individual with no experience, getting hired in your desired industry can feel like a pipe dream. But don't give up! These resume tips for college graduates with no professional experience can help you stand out and have a fighting chance against other candidates.

Use a Professional Email

Recruiters and hiring managers meet your email address before they meet you. In fact, it's usually the first interaction anyone has with your application and sets that oh-so-important first impression. Whether they have an epic sense of humor or not, email addresses such as TedBundyRules2023@hotmail.com or SpongebobSexyPANTS@yahoo.com do not make good first impressions.

With an email address like the ones above, it's likely they won't even open your message. If "tedbundyrules2023" really is your email username, don't ruin your chances with a job by adding that to your resume. Rather, create a new professional email such as johnsmithseattle@gmail.com or something similar. Use this account for professional emails, especially if you want to keep your fun email moniker. To ensure you don't accidentally send an email from the wrong address using your smartphone, download a separate email app. Make this app or your computer browser the only places you send anything from your professional account.

Showcase Your Education

Earning your bachelor's degree (or higher) is an impressive achievement. Sure-it may not feel that way when the market is tough or all your friends from your graduating class are applying for the same jobs you are. However, according to the U.S. Census, only 31.5 % of U.S. citizens hold a bachelor's degree. Therefore, a solid resume tip for college graduates is to showcase your education.

Although there are others who share your qualifications, a college degree is nothing to scoff at. Employers don't think so either, which is why many job openings require a degree. Nonetheless, you will face competition as you enter the workforce. So, how do you make yourself stand out among others with similar academic qualifications? You present aptitude better! After all, your resume is your personal marketing document.

When done well, your education, related awards, and activities will demonstrate your resilience, commitment, openness to learning, and ultimately the kind of full-time employee you would be. Even if you're an individual who graduated a decade ago, your achievements can boost your overall profile. Plus, your college awards and extracurricular activities can help you bond with potential hirers that went to the same school or were in the same sorority/fraternity. That's a bonus that only an exclusive number of people receive.

Relevant Coursework

Relevant coursework can communicate your expertise to potential employers when little professional experience exists. But let's get one thing straight: Not all coursework is relevant. An often-followed, yet tiresome resume tip for college graduates is to include every single course. This is the definition of overkill. Instead, consider the specific job (ideally) or industry you are applying for/within. Ask yourself if you were the hiring manager, which course titles would make you a more viable candidate for an open position? Then list those. In many instances, the inclusion of coursework on a resume simply means list the course title. In other cases, you might consider adding 2-3 sentences about the class following the course title.

Awards and Achievements

Accomplishments have the potential to set you apart from peers with the same academic background. Sometimes, they can give you a fighting chance against someone with more professional experience. Think about what you are most proud of during the last few years. Don't be afraid to boast! Boasting is one of the top resume tips for college graduates. With more well-known awards, you may be able to simply list a title for your recognition. If your award needs explanation, give a few sentences that describe what it is and why you earned it with precision.

Here are a few awards you might consider listing:

Graduating with cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude honors

Undergraduate research publications

Volunteer-related awards

20 under 20, 30 under 30, etc.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarships make it clear to potential employers that you have noteworthy abilities in a specific area, such as academics, athletics, or arts. This usually means you not only have natural talent, but you were willing to pair that talent with hard work. Scholarships that require renewal depending on continued outstanding performance demonstrate a long-term commitment to going above and beyond-something potential employers can see translating to the workplace.

Replace professional work experience with internships, extracurricular activities, significant projects, volunteer work, and reframed personal experiences.

As you figuratively thumb through memories, run a filter for job-related skills. As you identify these skills, list them as bullet points with specific examples under the following topic heads.

Additionally, remember to quantify your achievements, whether you're listing internships, extracurriculars, or full-time positions later on.

Include Research and Capstone Projects

Often, capstone projects serve as an opportunity for you to work within an industry to prove your abilities. While these are technically not internships or jobs, they're as close as you'll get without actually being employed. Incorporating these experiences is a vital resume tip for college graduates. Additionally, they provide one more chance to emphasize the skills you've built through your years in higher education. This list may include leadership, critical thinking, research, teamwork, and presentation. By completing undergraduate research, on the other hand, students communicate to employers that they can dive deeply into one area of interest, follow processes, and analyze data.

On your resume, briefly describe the project's purpose, methods and outcomes, and skills you picked up along the way.

Pump up Your Internships and Volunteer Experience

Although temporary, the real-world experience that internships give college students is strategic. It provides direct experience in the career you want to pursue, and seeing it in your resume gives employers reason to hire you. Even if the internship was over a summer, hiring managers see success and your ability to take the first steps on a career path.

Skill-building is part of what college extracurriculars are all about. They're also a solid way to let employers know you have interests and passions outside of your college field of study. Since you don't yet have much professional experience, extracurriculars can help fill that part of your resume. Offer examples of traits displayed in your extracurricular and how they apply to the position.

Hiring managers for entry-level jobs want to see volunteer experience-plain and simple. According to a study of over 2,500 U.S. hiring managers, 82% of managers said they prefer candidates with a history of volunteering. Most weren't even concerned whether it was related to candidate experience, though as a new professional related experience can't hurt.

Include Paid Work That's Not Directly Related to the Position

As you progress in your career, you will likely remove less relevant paid work from your resume. Why? Because jobs that don't pertain to your career path may have far less clout with hiring managers.

However, as a newbie to the job market with little to no experience, jobs that you worked to pay for college or save some extra cash make useful additions to your resume. Although those positions may seem irrelevant, they've provided an opportunity for you to learn transferable skills and work ethic. For example, if you worked as a summer camp counselor, you likely gained a background in leadership, conflict management, and flexibility. If you served as a college tour guide, you probably improved public speaking and time-management skills.

As someone new to the job market, and even later on, it's these transferable skills that will set you apart from other applicants. But be careful. When you list your so-called unrelated work on your resume, avoid listing duties associated with the job. In place of that, record any major accomplishments. Then, give specific examples of how you applied your selected transferable skills in that role.

Reframe Personal Experiences

Although many of us don't view our personal lives as applicable to the workforce, skills and characteristics are what make us desirable in certain positions. Think about events in your life that were out of the ordinary. Did you host a foreign exchange student, help raise siblings, or move around as part of a military family? Living through each of these scenarios can help you produce new business skills. Some of these skills-such as cross-cultural understanding, multitasking, patience, and navigation can translate well to other jobs. Before you put the finishing touches on your resume, think through the skills your personal experiences have given you. Jot them down and see if they work as a complement to your existing resume. If you still need to fill space, you could even include this section as a more detailed one.

Use Your Resume as an Example of Your Professionalism

Proofread

Proofread your resume for grammar, spelling, and punctuation three times once it's "finished." Then ask a friend to do the same. Every time you update your resume, go through the proofing process again. Sound excessive? Maybe it does. But it's worth it. A resume that is error-free shows employers that you possess attention to detail with important documents. Moreover, an estimated 77% of hiring managers immediately trash resumes when they see typos or grammatical mistakes.

And it's all too easy to miss those little errors that look right at first glance and don't get flagged by spell check. See a few real-life examples of these.

While these typos may elicit a chuckle, a hiring manager won't view them with the same humor.

Stick With a Clean, Not Overly Stylized Layout and Font

Emojis may be all the rage in social media, but graphics and cartoons on your resume are detrimental-especially when applying to recruiters and hirers that use applicant tracking software. A poll by Ladders found from an in-depth poll that 42% of senior managers would refuse to interview an applicant solely for using any type of cartoon imagery on their resume. Another 1 in 4 said they'd skip over a candidate who used excessive color or elaborate fonts. As a general resume tip for college graduates, avoid the unnecessary and unprofessional-especially the smiley faces and flowery extras.

Avoid personal pronouns, text speak or emojis

Write your resume in the first person implied and avoid I-personal pronouns such as I, my, we, or our. Also, remember that just because it works in a text doesn't make it appropriate or effective in a resume. Even the most tech-savvy of your potential colleagues will not find shortened text phrasing professional. And if you're a traditional student, you'll already be fighting the young adult stereotypes in order to be taken seriously. Don't lose your shot at that perfect career-starting job because you forgot about context while you were writing or proofing.

Tailor your Resume for Remote Roles

Grasping new technologies quickly and communicating well through a variety of media draws in the attention of hiring managers. Coming straight out of school, you may have been exposed to new programs and systems that haven't quite saturated your industry yet. The same goes for methods of communication. Make sure to add those systems to your resume under hard or technical skills.

While writing your resume, also do a quick search for a handful of jobs you'd be interested in. Look for words describing technology that companies prefer their job candidates to have experience with. If you do, include those. If not, spend some time on YouTube learning about the system or download a free trial and practice using them. On your resume, list the skills as "basic (insert skill)." This way, you're not claiming to be an expert. But you do have that desired skill on your resume. If asked to back it up, you will show the initiative to research and learn on your own.

If you're searching for a remote position, managers want to feel comfortable working with you at a distance. As a result, possessing a self-starter mentality, strong time management skills, and communication should be your resume focus. Consider ways you've showcased these skills through internships, projects, and extracurricular activities. Then, make sure to sprinkle them throughout your resume with examples. Additionally, list them in your skills section.

Create an Online Portfolio

Another way to present your technological prowess is to create an online portfolio and resume. Having a well-written and active LinkedIn profile is a good start. But almost every industry has outcomes and results you can include in an online portfolio. This will give potential employers a taste of some of your best work, prove your tech skills, and let them know you understand the importance of an online presence. If you're not sure where to start, do a quick Google search on the title of your desired career and the words "online portfolio." You'll find a world of knowledge and templates to get you started. Once you're finished, add links to the portfolio and your LinkedIn profile to your resume.

Always Add a Cover Letter

Cover letters are a chance to let your personality come out and connect a position to your specific background and skills. They are your chance to make an argument for yourself. As a person with little experience, here are our recommendations for your cover letter:

Keep it short and sweet, preferably less than 250 words.

Address it to a specific person, or at the very least, to a "hiring manager."

Avoid complicated language. Be professional and straightforward.

Do thorough research about the company and open with a clearly personalized comment.

Use keywords from the job description in your letter.

Highlight directly related transferable skills.

Finish with a call to action.

Admittedly, the competition will be fierce upon entering the job market with little to no experience. But your perseverance will prevail. Get the leg up you need to stand out and secure an interview by strategically writing a standout resume and cover letter.
Do you have experience with getting a job out of college or resume tips for college graduates? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to tell us what you think. We'd love to hear from you!
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Resume Tips for College Graduates with No Work Experience

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You get 6 seconds. That's all. Six seconds to convince a hiring manager it's worth their time to find out more about you. Six seconds before they pass over your resume for the next 250 resumes each corporate hiring manager receives on average.

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Velasquez, Francisco, "4 tips for new college grads to stand out in the job search", 30 July 2021

Summary:
This article gives four essential tips on what to put to stand out on a résumé during the job search process. It also includes quotes from interviewers of what they look for.
Reflection:
The quotes from industry professionals as well as a general overview of what to include makes this article a valuable asset. The look at the new job era after covid and the percentage of graduates getting hired also provide an insightful view on how the job market looks in a post covid world for recent grads.

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When the Coronavirus pandemic surged in early March 2020, the jobs market for the class of 2020's new grads suddenly became far more unpredictable.

2020 graduates faced numerous detours, like online learning, Zoom graduations and postponed internships. Some graduates decided to hold off on joining the job market altogether, in part because many opportunities were no longer available, while others had previous job offers taken away.Just a year later, though, last year's grads are hoping to take advantage of a promising yet competitive labor market, alongside the class of 2021.

Employers are projecting to hire 7.2% more of 2021 graduates than they did for the class of 2020 last year, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

And as new grads gear up to job hunt, standing out in a competitive job market can be key to landing that post-grad gig. That dream job may look different for each person, but some tips and skills can be applied across a variety of industries.

CNBC Make It spoke with Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, a website for job seekers, about the best tips and skills that college grads should consider on their search for a new job.

For applicants looking to break into their respective industry, taking the time to organize your application materials can be a good starting point. For college grads job hunting right now, this can mean making some adjustments to your resume, and updating it to include experiences and work that you've done most recently, via a remote setting.

"A well-put-together resume is extremely important," Hunter says. "Make sure your applicable experience is outlined in an easy-to read format and you show any instances where you took initiative, or can demonstrate any unique or interesting skills that might separate you from a sea of other candidates."

The skills you highlight may vary depending on the position you're applying to. For example, if you're applying to a job in the health-care sector, it may be helpful to include your experience shadowing a GP or volunteering at a hospital.

You will likely end up with numerous resume files on your computer, and that can be a good thing. Tailoring your resume and cover letter to each company you're applying to is one way to stand out from other job seekers. This can make a big difference in the number of interviews you secure, Hunter says.

"Employers and HR teams like to see why you're interested in working at their specific organization as opposed to others," he explains. "So really taking the time to craft an individualized cover letter will show a hiring manager that you're not just sending off hundreds of resumes and seeing what sticks, but rather that you've taken a special interest in the role in question."

For new college grads looking to land that first interview, making a good first impression through your application materials can be a step in the right direction. That's because your resume and cover letter are not only roadmaps of your experiences, but talking points to build on once you land that coveted interview time slot.

Once you've landed an interview, it's important to prepare ahead of time. This can help you feel more confident and can show employers that you are serious about joining their team.

First and foremost, if you've been applying to numerous jobs, refreshing your memory on the posting itself can be important. It is however, not the only thing you should consider.

"Show enthusiasm about the job and company," Hunter says. "Knowing what the job description entails, a few historical facts about the organization and its employees, as well as why you in particular would be the best fit are all integral steps to take and will likely impress an interviewer and show them you're passionate about the role."

Research the employer or employers you'll talking to and make a note of some of their most recent projects. Utilizing resources like LinkedIn may also provide insight into a company's most recent public work.

The demand for soft skills is in high demand. That means qualities like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking and writing, are core attributes that employers look for in a strong candidate, especially a college graduate.

"A mature attitude and showing professionalism and self-discipline are also key, particularly when many companies are still operating semi-remotely meaning the onboarding and training process may still be virtual," Hunter says. "Companies are looking for self-starters that they can trust to get on with the job, but who also know when to reach out and ask for guidance."
Sign up now: Don't miss: Remove these 7 things from your resume 'ASAP,' says CEO who has read more than 1,000 resumes this year Never put these 3 'outdated' sections at the top of your resume, says career expert Recruiters are 'spending a lot of money' to find workers-how to get them to come to you Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter

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4 tips for new college grads to stand out in the job search

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When the Coronavirus pandemic surged in early March 2020, the jobs market for the class of 2020's new grads suddenly became far more unpredictable. 2020 graduates faced numerous detours, like online learning, Zoom graduations and postponed internships.

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Doyle, Alison, “College Graduate Resume Example and Writing Tips”, 31 July 2019

Summary:
This article gives tips and advice on how to write a resume without much work experience and what to emphasize.
Reflection:
The sample resumes included are a good guideline for recent college graduates as they can use them as an outline for their own. This article also includes what topics to include and focus on as recent college graduates typically do not have much work history and must focus on other things.

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A recent college graduate typically doesn't have much work experience. However, college grads can still write strong resumes that will get them hired. By emphasizing unpaid internships, volunteer work, and positions in school organizations, a college graduate can show he or she has the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

Read below for tips on writing a strong college graduate resume. Also see below for a resume sample for a recent college graduate.

What to Include in Your Resume

Begin with a resume summary. A resume summary (sometimes called a "summary of qualifications" or "qualifications profile") is a statement (either narrative or formatted in bullets) at the top of a resume that immediately attracts a hiring manager's attention to the skills you would bring to their organization.

The summary statement should be placed immediately below your name and contact information. Use this section to demonstrate that you have the qualifications that are emphasized in the job listing of the position you're applying for.

Use keywords. To make your resume stand out, use words from the job listing in your resume. You might include these keywords in your resume summary, your descriptions of work experiences, and/or your section headings. For example, if the listing says the company is seeking a candidate who is "tech-savvy," you might include a section called "Technological Skills." Again, use words that clearly link your resume to the job listing.

Mention a high GPA. At this point, at the beginning of your career, it's a good strategy to include your GPA on your resume if it is 3.5 or above. You should also include any academic awards (Dean's List, scholarships, etc.). After you've racked up three or four years of work experience, though, you can remove this information from your resume, replacing it with examples of professional achievements.

Emphasize your soft skills. " Soft skills" like teamwork, leadership, or good communication talents are always a selling point with employers. For many entry-level positions, they can be as important as job-specific hard skills. Describe how, during your college years, you have led or contributed to team projects, either in the classroom or as a member of campus or extracurricular organizations. Additional soft skills that are good to mention include: active listening skills, "people" skills, decision-making, and self-motivation.

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume for a Recent College Graduate

Emphasize education. As a recent college graduate, your education is one of your strongest assets. Include an "Education" section towards the top of your resume. Include the college you attended, your graduation date, and your major and minor. If you have a strong GPA, include that as well. You might also include any study abroad experiences. Most employers see a well-traveled student as a plus.

Highlight any related experience. If you have any work experience, include this. However, you can also include any other relevant experience. This might include volunteer experience, unpaid internships, or positions in school organizations. Even if these are unpaid positions, they can still display the qualities that will make you a strong candidate for a job opening.

Use resume examples. When writing your first resume out of college, it can be hard to know where to start. Examples can give you ideas on how to structure your resume and what kind of language to include. Check out these student resume samples, as well as the sample below. However, make sure to always revise an example to fit your own background and experience.

Edit, edit, edit. Thoroughly proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors before submitting it. Also make sure your format is consistent: for example, you should use the same size bullet points throughout your resume. Ask a friend, family member, or college career counselor to read through your resume as well.

College Graduate Resume Example

This is an example of a resume for a college graduate. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

College Graduate Resume Example (Text Version)
CAREER OBJECTIVE EDUCATION RELATED EXPERIENCE Other Experience:
More College Resume Samples

Review more resume examples for college students and recent graduates, listed by type of position and type of job.

How to Get Your Resume Noticed

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Sample College Graduate Resume With Writing Tips

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A recent college graduate typically doesn't have much work experience. However, college grads can still write strong resumes that will get them hired. By emphasizing unpaid internships, volunteer work, and positions in school organizations, a college graduate can show he or she has the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

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Randolph, Kathryn, “College Grads: How your Resume Should Look”, 5 May 2021

Summary:
This article gives a modern take on resume writing and provides a sample resume.
Reflection:
The modern take on how to write/what to include on a resume is a solid way for new graduates. This article also includes a section on how to write a resume without any relevant work experience.

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College Grads: How Your Resume Should Look

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Check out this resume template for recent college graduates. This resume example can help you land your first job.

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Rogers, Ray, “Resume Writing for the Recent College Graduate”

Summary:
This slideshow goes over what a solid resume looks like and how to market yourself using a resume.
Reflection:
This slide show gives a good overview of relevant work experience and how to show that. It also includes several examples of right and wrong ways to write sections of a resume.

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Peterson, Corissa, “Recent College Graduate Resume: Examples and how to write”,3 Oct. 2021

Summary:
This article goes over some tips and writing guides to write an effective resume.
Reflection:
Overall this article touches upon some solid things on what is necessary for a convincing resume. The tips and examples included are very helpful.

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Assembling the perfect job application as a recent graduate isn't easy. It's a tough job market in 2021 because of COVID-19, and there are likely to be lingering effects on the economy even after a vaccine has been distributed.

To help you build a competitive application, we provide a variety of resume and cover letter writing guides, examples, and templates for new college graduates. No matter how much work experience you have, there's something here to help you improve your chances of landing work in 2021:

What should be on a recent college graduate resume?

Your recent college graduate resume needs to:

communicate your strengths,

downplay your lack of experience,

demonstrate the specific skills you have that are applicable to the position you want.

Here are the basic details you need to include on your new college graduate resume:

Accurate contact information

Your contact information and name should be the very first thing hiring managers see when they glance at your resume. To help your information stand out, put it in your resume header at the top of the page, and type your first and last name in a large font to make it memorable.

At a minimum, your resume should include your:

First and last name

Current job title

Email

Phone number

Before sending out your application, double-check that all your contact information is correct. No matter how strong of a candidate you are, it won't matter if employers can't reach you.

Convincing resume introduction

Knowing how to start a resume is a critical job-hunting skill. The goal of your resume is to catch the hiring manager's attention and convince them to invite you for an interview. Your introduction can help you achieve this by quickly highlighting your most impressive accomplishments and skills.

There are five types of resume introductions. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses:

1. Resume objective

2. Summary of qualifications

3. Resume profile

4. Resume summary

5. Resume "About Me"

While all these introduction styles are good options, the resume summary is ideally suited for recent graduates. That's because a summary allows you to highlight your key attributes and resume skills without relying heavily on formal work experience.

Detailed education history

Having a thorough education section is essential for any recent college graduate's resume.

To make your education stand out, here's what you should include in your education section:

The name of your university or community college

Location of the school (city, state)

Graduation date (month and year)

Degree(s) (including any minors)

GPA (only include your GPA if it's above 3.5, and use this format: GPA: 3.7/4.0)

Awards or honors (such as summa cum laude on your resume)

Additionally, include a mention of the Dean's list on your resume if you made the cut more than twice.

If you have little or no professional experience (like many recent graduates), include as much detail about your education as possible. However, if you already have a lot of professional experience, it's best to keep your education section short and omit any academic awards, as well as your GPA.

Relevant experience section

Your experience section is the core of your resume. As a college graduate, this is where you elaborate on your past jobs relevant to the position you want to fill.

Additionally, your experience section is where you should highlight any important accomplishments on your resume.

If you have a short (or nonexistent) work history, you can change the name of this section from "Work Experience" to "Relevant Experience" to make it more general. Then, include any of the following experiences (as long as you can connect it to the position you're applying for):

Full time or part time jobs

Internships

Volunteer work

Coursework (should be highly relevant)

Extracurriculars

Ultimately, the goal of your experience section is to show employers that you have valuable skills in addition to your degree.

Diverse mix of skills

As a recent graduate, you don't need formal work experience to have a strong resume skills section. Just through your coursework and extracurricular activities, you've likely accumulated an array of marketable skills like:

Start by listing any technical skills, and any hard or soft skills you possess that are relevant to the position. Soft skills in particular are valuable, as they are usable for nearly any job.

3 recent college graduate job application tips

Now that you know what to include on your resume, it's time to learn how to write it effectively.

Here are three expert tips for assembling the perfect job application as a recent college graduate:

1. Highlight your experience as a student

As a new graduate, your college education is your biggest asset entering the job market.

Employers understand that earning a degree requires a variety of marketable skills. However, it's your responsibility to demonstrate what those skills are and why they're valuable.

To do this, include a detailed education section. Mention your GPA on your resume (if it's above 3.5), honors or awards, and your major/s and minor/s.

Additionally, you should highlight extracurriculars or relevant coursework on your resume as entries in your experience section. These experiences help fill in the gaps on your resume if you lack formal work experience, and demonstrate the valuable professional skills you've picked up through your academic career.

2. Emphasize your soft skills

Soft skills, such as communication, team management, or interpersonal skills, are always in high demand from employers. For many entry level positions, hiring managers consider them to be even more valuable than hard skills, because soft skills are notoriously difficult to teach.

To strengthen your resume, list three or four soft skills in your resume skills section. Additionally, showcase them in your experience section by describing instances of how they helped you achieve success as a student.

For example, if you have outstanding leadership skills, include an example about how you took the lead on an important class project.

3. Write a convincing cover letter

Knowing how to write a strong cover letter to pair with your resume is essential for recent college graduates. Your cover letter sets you apart from other applicants by supplementing your resume experience section, and showing the hiring manager that you're passionate about the position.

To maximize the impact of your cover letter, make sure it's customized for the position. This is your opportunity to make a pitch for why you're the best candidate for the job - the last thing you want is to look like every other applicant.

To help yourself stand out, start your cover letter off with a strong introduction. A good recent college graduate cover letter introduction should include:

enthusiasm for the company,

an overview of your background,

and a brief introduction to your accomplishments (either educational or professional).

Employers love sincerely enthusiastic candidates, so don't be afraid to use your recent graduate cover letter to show your excitement for the position.

College graduate resume template

Here's a recent college graduate resume template that you can paste into Microsoft Word or Google Docs and fill out. It includes an outline for each resume section you should include, and what information you should list to best emphasize your strengths.

1. Resume Heading FIRST AND LAST NAME 2. Resume Introduction 3. Education Degree Name / Major 4. Relevant Experience 5. Skills 6. Additional Resume Section

College graduate resume examples

To help you construct the perfect new college graduate resume, here are two examples to take inspiration from.

Sample resume for recent college graduate (with no experience)

Here's an example of a recent graduate's resume with no work experience:

Sample resume for recent college graduate (internship)

If written about clearly and effectively, internship experience can be a huge boost to any recent college graduate's resume.

To help you write about your internship experience, here's the previous sample, but with an internship section instead to help you model your own resume:

Writing a great resume as a new college graduate is easier than you think

Writing your first resume fresh out of university is intimidating.

Thankfully, it doesn't have to be. Employers know that a college education teaches a variety of marketable skills and expertise. Your resume is an opportunity to demonstrate those skills, and show employers what you have to offer.

To best emphasize your talents as a recent college graduate, your resume should:

showcase your educational background,

highlight your coursework (if you lack formal work experience),

and demonstrate your most relevant professional skills.

By shifting focus onto your strengths, you'll catch the attention of hiring managers and prove that your education makes you an ideal candidate for the role you're applying for.

RESUME OBJECTIVE
Recent college graduate with a degree in Political Science. Designed and led a state-wide polling project in New York to gauge public opinion on tort reform. Seeking to leverage 3.8 GPA and data analysis expertise to obtain the political research assistant position at Win Blue.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science / GPA: 3.8
New York University, New York City, Graduated 2020
Relevant Coursework: International Politics, Economics, Public Polling, Data Analysis, Electoral Process

Honors: magna cum laude
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
THE ELECTION PROCESS AND PUBLIC OPINION
Senior Seminar, NYU / October 2019 - May 2020

Developed a thesis proposal for a statewide public opinion poll on tort reform.

Awarded a $1,000 grant to expand and execute my polling research.

Formulated a series of 10 questions designed to reduce bias.

Polled over 1,000 New York residents, reaching the threshold for statistical significance.

Organized the resulting data and presented my findings to the NYU Political Science department.

VOLUNTEER Tom Suozzi for Congress, New York, NY / May 2018 - November 2018

Made and distributed campaign materials to supporters.

Helped lead get out the vote efforts in local neighborhoods, knocking on over 800 doors.

Wrote scripts for other campaign volunteers to follow when phone banking.

Excelled in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

SKILLS
Problem Solving, Adaptability, Collaboration, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership
LANGUAGES
Native: English

Fluent: Spanish

Proficient: Farsi
AWARDS
Dean's List
NYU / Last 3 Semesters
Tau Sigma Honors Society

NYU / 2019

RESUME OBJECTIVE
Recent Political Science graduate with 7 months experience conducting public polling research while interning at Top Seat Strategies. Seeking to leverage my data analysis expertise to obtain the political research assistant position at Win Blue.
SKILLS
Problem Solving, Collaboration, Adaptability, Critical Thinking, Strong Work Ethic, Leadership, Time Management, Leadership, Handling Pressure, Collaboration, Problem Solving
EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH INTERN
Top Seat Strategies, New York, NY / October 2019 - May 2020

Produced reports and crosstabs to present recommendations for company data acquisition.

Assisted senior staff to clean and upload approximately 10 new datasets a month.

Streamlined our data analysis process, reducing polling data processing time by 4%.

Used SQL to parse data and produce reports.

Guided clients towards strategic decisions using political knowledge and data-driven insights.

VOLUNTEER
Tom Suozzi for Congress, New York, NY / May 2018 - November 2018

Made and distributed campaign materials to supporters.

Helped lead get out the vote efforts in local neighborhoods, knocking on over 800 doors.

Wrote scripts for other campaign volunteers to follow when phone banking.

Excelled in a fast-paced, demanding environment.

EDUCATION B.A. / Political Science NYU, New York, NY, Graduated 2020
Honors: magna cum laude

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Recent College Graduate Resume Examples (Plus Writing Tips)

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Assembling the perfect job application as a recent graduate isn't easy. It's a tough job market in 2021 because of COVID-19, and there are likely to be lingering effects on the economy even after a vaccine has been distributed.