| How
to write that Winning Resume for your Dream job
|
If you are a new entrant
in the job market, you need to perfect your resume before applying
for your 1st job
Since you are fresh out of college, use your education as your
strong point. Aggregate %, CGPA, accolades, club participation, etc.
will be your focus.
"Do I really need a resume? What should I write in my
resume?"
These are questions which worry every college graduate looking for
his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes you really need to
make your resume and how you present yourself in that resume will go
a long way towards getting you your first job.
It's a myth that resumes of entry-level graduates are unimportant
because they lack the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Not only is a well-made resume important for every
job seeker, it is more critical for entry level graduates. A resume
is a mirror of your professional identity. A well-defined resume
impresses a recruiter. A sloppy resume immediately proclaims the
candidate to be sloppy.
Here are some do's and don'ts on what makes a great resume for
graduates seeking entry-level positions in industry.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about
entry-level resumes is that they lack a specific objective. Resumes
of fresh graduates have fuzzy, general objectives or no objective at
all. Mentioning a specific objective is by far the most important
feature of an entry- level resume. Without goal clarity you are
bound to drown in the sea of mediocrity.
The only thing worse than the absence of an objective is a vague
objective. Something like "My objective is to work with a
dynamic company which will fully utilise my talents…" is a
complete no-no! This objective is worthless because it gives the
potential employer no idea about your goals or your direction.
Your objective should be clear, well-defined and short-not more than
10-12 words.. It should be aimed towards getting a particular
position in a specific industry. Thus your objective should talk
about the following:
1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted
Examples of good objectives:
Example 1: "Junior management position wanted in PROGRAMMING/
engineering field in IT industry.'
Example 2: GET in position in the manufacturing field.
Example 3: Entry level programmer in a software development company.
Example 4: Marketing position in the FMCG segment of a Multinational
Company.
Example 5: Multimedia software development position. Open to
Relocation.
Example 6: "A position as a Production supervisor with a petro-chemical
company."
SUMMARY
Summary is the second most important factor that is conspicuous by
its absence in resumes of entry-level graduates. It is a good idea
to include a summary of your resume after having mentioned your
objective. This sums up your resume in a nutshell and gives you an
opportunity to highlight your strengths. It invites the recruiter to
read your detailed resume. The summary should consist of 4-5
specific points-either bulleted or in one paragraph.
Sample Summary 1:
- B.E (Computer Science) from IIT-Delhi, in 2000.
- Course in Computers Database programmes Oracle 8I & VB6
from PENTASOFT in 2005.
- Consistently good academic record.
- Good analytical and communication skills.
- Have worked on a curriculum project "XXX XXXXX XXXX"
Sample Summary 2:
"Masters in Computer Application with specialisation in
J2EE/Web Technologies. Great operational, communication and computer
skills. Good academic record throughout. Among the top three
students out of a batch of 120 students. Undergone Industrial
training in a top petrochemical Company.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Most fresher resume doesn't suffer from space constraint . However
it is a good idea to include only those educational and
professionals qualifications which are relevant. Put your
qualifications in a reverse chronological order. i.e. the recent
ones first followed by earlier ones. Entry level resume should also
mention the names of their school and college, years in which they
passed their board examinations. However, include your marks only
you have shown a good academic performance.
WORK EXPERIENCE
An entry- level resume cannot compete with resumes of experienced
workers in the area of work experience. But don't forget to list
internships, voluntary work and summer training that you have
undertaken. How you present these is very important. Make sure you
clearly define your duty and responsibilities during this training.
E.g.: "Worked as a summer trainee in India's largest Oil
Refinery. I was working for the system control department. Wrote
quality reports as well as ISO features for the company."
Any projects done for your school or your college should also be
mentioned.
DESIGN
Follow a simple design, which gives maximum information in
the minimum number of pages. Use an easy to read and commonly used
font like 'Times New Roman' or 'Verdana.' Limit your font size to
10-11. Do not underline heavily.
WORD USAGE
Simple language, lucid expression with good grammar is the thumb
rule. Watch your tenses carefully. Use short and simple sentences.
And never-ever make the mistake of using long words just to impress
the recruiter. Flowery words are for speeches, keep them away from
your resume.
OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS
There are many things we would rather not write in our resumes. And
while writing a resume the strong temptation to stretch the truth
(or simply lie through our teeth) can be quite overpowering. But
just stomp on the temptation. Most companies opt for a reference
check during recruitment. Your resume is considered a legal document
and fudging up small details may cause you great embarrassment in
your career.
All right! so you've made yor resume. But this is not the time to
sit back and relax. There are some important post-resume do's left.
CHECK, AND RE-CHECK!
The most important post resume step: Read and re-read your resume
for any mistakes. Check the facts, the grammar, the spellings. After
you have checked it, get you parents, friends, teachers to check it
for you. One small mistake may cost you your job.
And finally...mom is right you know! Do not
procrastinate over anything, specially making your resume. Most
fresh graduates prefer to leave the unappealing task of resume
making till the last minute i.e the day before their first
interview. However, remember that making great resumes take time and
effort. And the rewards will last you a lifetime
Check out these sample resumes* to
understand the kind of resumes employers are looking for: Download
samples in word format
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Freshers for
Technical Jobs
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| *These are fictitious but
representative resumes. Any resemblance to real people is
purely coincidental. |
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