If you’ve ever stared confused at a blank Word document wondering how to write your resume, so have I. Trust me, you are not alone. Many college students are preparing resumes for their next step in life. It’s an imperative next step toward greatness.
As a Public Relations (PR) student, I have crafted and recrafted a resume that has proven useful when I’ve needed it. In this blog post, I will show you what I did to achieve a standout resume.
What I Included in My Resume
As a PR student, I must make sure I am concise, thorough, and straight to the point. When another PR professional looks at my resume, I want them to immediately understand what they are seeing. Here are things I included in my resume that have brought me success thus far:
- Introduction: This included my name and any other important information needed, such as my number, city, and email.
- An eye-catching summary (optional).
- Education: Degree, major, and graduation date.
- Experience: This included my work experience, internships, campus involvement, volunteer work, and projects I had worked on during my college career.
- Skills: Any type of skills I have built in my life and as a student (throughout my college career) that I believe is key to the job I am applying for.
- Certifications (optional).
- Link or QR code to my portfolio.
Adding My Portfolio
Adding a link to my resume has been a game changer for me. It has allowed employers to get a visual representation of the work I have done over the years, instead of just reading about it. A portfolio website is also needed and must be presented in front of a panel of judges, to graduate as a PR student.
Here is what I included on my portfolio website:
- An about section
- Writing samples such as published articles, press releases, newsletters, and blog posts
- Commentary and media appearances
If you choose to include a linked portfolio on your resume, it is important to cater it to the job you are applying to and also make it unique to who you are.
Step 6: Double Checking My Resume and Receiving Feedback
Double checking any type of important document such as your resume, is key to landing the position you want. Employers look at everything, including spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and wording.
Double checking my resume and getting it reviewed by professionals, was single handedly the most important step I could have taken to make my resume stand out. Taking that step made me aware of issues I did not notice. It helped perfect my resume and helped me become better as a professional.
I encourage you to go and receive feedback on your resume at the Career and Professional Development Center on campus. You could also utilize the AI-assisted resume and cover letter creator through Big Resume.
Remember, your resume isn’t just a list of your accomplishments. It’s your story, told professionally.
