Writing A Winning Resume For New Graduates
Publié le 5 June 2023
Now that you’ve finished school, writing a winning resume for new graduates will help you take a strong first step into the job market.
The transition period after graduating can be a confusing time. Now that you’ve celebrated all the hard work that it took to earn your degree, diploma or certification, where do you go next?
As you move from your studies into the workforce, having an amazing resume is key to landing your perfect job!
However, we know that it can be a bit tricky figuring out exactly where to start. That’s why we’ll teach you everything you need to know about writing a winner resume for new graduates, including:
- Structuring your CV effectively
- Seven steps to crafting a winning resume
- Tips and tricks to make your resume look as professional as possible.
Let’s dive straight in so you can get out there and start applying for jobs in your field!
How Should I Structure My CV?
Your CV should include all of your major accomplishments – typically in reverse chronological order – as well as your personal information and any special skills you have developed.
Your resume should contain an overview of all your professional history, including achievements, job roles and promotions. It’s also important to tailor it to fit each job you decide to pursue. This means reviewing the job description and including matching keywords in your resume.
Most jobs will require a cover letter as well. A common mistake applicants make is repeating the same information in your resume and cover letter. To understand the difference, remember that your resume is for saying what you achieved, and your cover letter is for explaining how you achieved. Even if you have limited work experience due to your time in school, you can still write a cover letter that highlights your academic success and shows that you’re the right person for the job.
Writing a Winning Resume for New Graduates in 7 Steps
- Choose the Right Resume Format
It’s important to choose the right structure for your resume so that your best qualities shine through!
- Chronological Resume. This format lists all your accomplishments in reverse chronological order, starting from your most recent relevant job experience.
- Functional Resume. A functional resume highlights your relevant skills and experiences, putting them first in the document. This is a great choice for those who may not have much professional experience but still have relevant expertise in the field.
- Combination Resume. If you have both job experience and applicable skills, a combination resume may be the right choice for you! This format blends the previous two, allowing you to highlight the special talents you have while also letting you dive into your professional history.
Don’t Focus Too Much on the Design!
What’s on your resume matters a lot more than any fancy formatting! Having it well structured is much more important than colours and fonts, so don’t waste too much time on the design elements of your resume. Just be sure that it is readable, and flows in a logical order that will not confuse a reader.
- Have a Clear, Easy-to-Navigate Header
Your resume header, typically written below your name and contact details, will be the first thing potential employers read – so make it count!
In one sentence, clearly sum up who you are with regard to the position. Keep working at it until you are sure that a hiring manager will see that your resume stands out from other applicants.
- Create a Compelling Summary
After your header, your summary statement is the next thing on your resume. It should be a quick few sentences that highlight all the essential skills and experience you have, and which you’ll go into more detail about below.
A summary can also be a good way to pull together work experience that may not seem strictly relevant and turn it into a set of key transferable skills.
Keep It Concise
Short and sweet is the way to go. Say what you need as clearly and quickly as possible!
Highlight Key Skills and Interests
This is your chance to tell employers what you know you can bring to the table. Let them know what your most important traits are and how they make you the perfect candidate for the role. Having a specialized skill set can help you get a financially rewarding job after graduation.
Tailor It to the Specific Job or Industry
Even if you have a wide range of impressive accomplishments, employers only care about the ones that are relevant to the needs of this specific job role or industry. Focus on the achievements that will lead to success in this role in particular.
- Focus on a Detailed Educational Background
As a recent graduate, we know you might not have much professional experience yet — and that’s okay!
By tailoring your resume to your academic achievements, you can show them off and demonstrate how they’re applicable to the role and make you a valuable candidate. There are even entry-level jobs that specifically recruit new graduates, so don’t be shy about promoting your educational background.
List Your Degree and Academic Achievements
You’ve worked hard to earn your degree. Now, it’s time to put it to use! Explicitly stating your degree might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s one thing that employers check to see if you’re the right fit for the job.
As a plus, having standout academic achievements also bolsters your chances of getting the position as they demonstrate that you possess the necessary aptitude and attitude for the job.
Include Relevant Coursework and Projects
Much of your academic experiences will be relevant to potential employers.
Things like cohesive group work, taking initiative, and finding creative solutions will be ideal additions to a resume. It’s also great for painting a more nuanced picture of your performance as a student.
Highlight Awards and Honors
If you’ve been awarded any kind of special recognition, don’t be shy to flaunt it! You want to show that you’re a cut above the rest, and having awards and honors will certainly make you stand out from the pool of candidates.
- Emphasize Job-Specific, Targeted Experience
Let employers know what experience you can bring to the job, even if it isn’t from prior job roles.
Internships or Volunteer Work
Just because it was unpaid doesn’t mean it wasn’t a job! Many internships are highly competitive, so just showing you were selected is a great start.
However, be sure to highlight specific relevant duties you were assigned and how you tackled them. When writing a resume for new graduates, all relevant experience is important and worth including if it will help catch the attention of a hiring manager.
Coursework
What challenges did you overcome during your studies? Assignments that show your in-depth knowledge in a related area are great to bring up here as well.
Projects or Personal Initiatives
Don’t be afraid to show your passion. Successful projects you undertook outside of school hours are evidence of your competence and drive, and demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re not just a one-trick pony.
- List Relevant, Transferable, Soft and Hard Skills
Hard skills are those you’ve been taught, such as proficiency in a software program. These are often the ones that are most relevant to the technical aspect of the job you’re applying for.
However, never neglect to cultivate your soft skills. While these are developed more slowly, they have the advantage of wide applicability and act as complements to your hard skills.
Examples of key soft skills are reliability, problem-solving, and effective communication.
Use Strong Action Words
Action words help your resume stand out by replacing tired, broad, or vague corporate lingo with more specific and powerful words – helping to present your accomplishments in the best way possible.
Rather than more passive words like “oversaw” or “responsible for”, try verbs such as “coordinated” or “spearheaded” instead.
Connect Your Skills to the Job
Show future employers how you’ll use your skills in a meaningful way. Your aim in the skills section is to guide employers to picture your place on their existing teams.
Use Examples
Be specific. Let them know how your skills have aided you in the past to give them a concrete point of reference for the future.
Data and other metrics are extremely helpful in this section, so make sure to include them in your resume.
Highlight Your Potential
Emphasize your ability to learn and grow. When listing hard skills, don’t be afraid to mention the time frame in which you picked them up.
This will help employers gauge and estimate your commitment to professional growth and development in the company.
- Review and Finalize!
Always double-check your work! You want your resume to be as polished as possible.
Get a Fresh Perspective: Have a Friend or Family Member Review Your Resume
It never hurts to have a fresh pair of eyes look over your resume, especially if you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure.
When writing a winning resume for new graduates, it can be quite common to get lost in the details. By allowing others to review your resume, you’ll receive valuable feedback about which parts are strong and which ones need reworking.
Take Advantage of Your University’s Careers Service, Which Often Provides Free CV Reviews for Students
See what’s out there and use them to bolster your resume. If your university provides access to free, professional advice – take advantage of it!
Save the Final Version of Your Resume as a PDF
You don’t want your hard work tarnished by file formatting issues. Saving your resume as a PDF ensures it’ll look just how you sent it to future employers.
Ensure Your Resume Looks Professional and Can Be Easily Viewed on Any Device
Double-check that everything is well-structured and easily readable. If possible, try to view the document on a few different devices to make sure it’s navigable regardless of where it’s viewed.
Choose a Professional Title for Your File
Don’t let a file title lead to a missed opportunity! When in doubt, simply typing “Resume” with your full name and the current year is usually fine. Be sure to check the initial job description for any specific instructions about file names. Sometimes HR managers use this to check if applicants are able to pay attention to the details.
The Bottom Line
For recent graduates with little experience in the field, applying for jobs can be daunting.
However, by writing a winning resume for new graduates in a way that truly highlights your skills and academic prowess, you’ll be an attractive candidate to potential employers and boost your chances of landing your ideal role!
