Many young careerists - even those with a couple internships under their belt - feel as though their resume and LinkedIn profiles are, for lack of a better word… lacking. Here are some examples to make your resume more complete and ... less lacking.
Social media savviness
No. You aren't a guru, ninja or an expert. But you do know your way around Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest. Throw in your knowledge of Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Twitter Chats, LinkedIn Groups, Facebook ads and you just might impress the social media novice whose organisation needs social help.
Self-learning
In today's job market, there isn't a single employer who doesn't respect someone who took it upon themselves to learn a skill, or master a software programme relevant to their organisation.
Demonstration of expertise using project management, photoshop, salesforce, infusionsoft, Google analytics - and maybe even a little coding - can take your resume from "meh" to "marvelous".
Freelance projects
Remember that project you did for the business near your campus? Or the couple of weeks you spent at that non-profit solving its biggest problem? Those mini-projects were real experience. List every relevant project you've ever taken on.
Theses, studies and white papers
Did you head up a research project? Write an industry relevant thesis? Did you lead an on-campus study? Each of these projects shows attention to detail, problem solving and analytical thinking - three skills in high demand by nearly every employer.
Content creation
Have you begun blogging? Guest blogging? Have you begun to show your subject matter expertise in a podcast, or a video blog? May be a YouTube channel? Employers will respect that you are willing to let your thoughts be known, and aren't afraid to stick your neck out.
Industry relevant competitions
Speaking of not being afraid to stick your neck out: relevant competitions - online, through your community, industry associations, the local chamber of commerce, and your fraternity or sorority - are a great way to punch up your resume.
Anything leadership
On-campus clubs, volunteer assignments, part-time retail jobs, heading up a fund-raiser or a committee, campus ambassadorships… anything that shows you were leading from front must go on your resume.
Reverse mentorship
All that social media and blogging experience you've obtained… ever put it to good use? Ever walk a CEO through a Twitter chat? Or set up a WordPress blog for a solopreneur? Each of these instances of reverse mentorship shows you are willing to give back and teach across generational boundaries- a marketable skill in today's workforce.
Remove bonus from your resume
Unless you are going into a field where these things still matter (medical, engineering), you are going to get rid of everything that makes you look like a current or recent student. Everything! GPA, relevant coursework, expected graduation dates - all of it. Why? Because no one hires students. They hire capable, work-ready young professionals.
Source | Business Standard | 13 October 2014
