What to Include in Your Resume
Begin with a resume summary statement. A resume summary statement (also known as a resume summary or summary of qualifications) is a list or a few sentences at the top of a resume that highlights your qualifications for a position. It is a great way to quickly show an employer why you are a strong candidate for a position. The summary statement should be located below your name and contact information. In a few sentences (or bullet points), state some of your skills and accomplishments that make you an ideal fit for the job. Try to include keywords from the job listing. Mention a strong GPA. Along with your school and degree information, include any achievements, such as a high GPA (3.5 or above) and any academic awards (Dean’s List, scholarships, and other honors). Emphasize your teamwork and leadership skills. Employers are always interested in job candidates who have demonstrated personal initiative in assuming leadership roles and who have proven themselves to be productive team members. Be sure to describe all leadership positions you have held within campus organizations or in academic team projects. Emphasize all related experience. Even if you do not have much employment history, you can include volunteer experiences and any extracurriculars related to the job. You can put all these experiences in a section titled “Related Experience,” or divide them into different sections.
Tips for Writing an Effective Resume for a College Student
Highlight your education. As a student, you should highlight your academic successes at the beginning of your resume, before the “Experience” description. If you have completed any projects or taken courses related to the job you are applying for, you can include these as well. Finesse your experience section. Even if you don’t have actual work experience, you should still include an “Experience” section in your resume. In this section, you can describe your college program, internships, or volunteer work you have performed. Instead of using the header “Professional Experience” for this section, use a more general title such as “Research and Analytical Experience,” “Related Experience,” or “Experience Highlights.” Look at other Resume examples. Look at some resume examples or templates to guide your writing. A resume example can help you decide what kind of content to include, and a template can help you format your resume. However, be sure to tailor a resume example to fit your own experiences and the job you are applying for. Proofread. Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it. A clean, error-free resume will show that you are professional and that you pay attention to details. Ask a friend or family member, or a college career counselor, to read the resume for you as well.
Resume Example With Summary Statement
Below is an example of a resume for a college student that includes a resume summary.
More College Student Resume Samples
Here are more examples of resumes for college students and recent graduates, with downloadable templates, that you can use as a starting point for your own resume: SUMMARY
An honors student with a record of academic and extracurricular successExtensive leadership experience, particularly within a higher education settingAdept at working across departments, with faculty, administrators, and studentsAward-winning written communication skills
EDUCATION XYZ University Hopedale, New York: Bachelor of Arts in PhilosophyCumulative GPA: 3.93; Honors recipient every semester(Expected graduation: May 2022) Georgetown University Study AbroadUniversity of Trier, Germany(Summer 2021) American University Washington, D.C.: Washington Semester in American Politics (Spring 2021) RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL EXPERIENCE U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.Intern, Spring 2021Generated concisely written synopses of current legislative action for use by the department, members of Congress, and the general public through the Department of Education website.
Researched and presented to policymakers several successful school design and construction projects to support the “Administration Schools as Center of Community" proposal.
American University, Washington, D.C. Research Assistant, Spring 2021Examined how the increasing dependence of needy students on federal loans instead of grants for higher education has affected college access and enrollment, culminating in a 65-page paper.
Received “Outstanding Final Paper” award.
Historical Society of Hopedale, New York Research Assistant, Spring 2020Researched archival materials, wrote text panels, and selected objects for a historical exhibit on Hopedale in the 1930s.
College Graduate Resume College Senior Resume College Student Resume College Resume Example and Writing Tips
SHOWCASE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS: Don’t hesitate to “toot your own horn” on your resume: describe your GPA (if it’s above 3.5), academic achievements, and contributions to campus and community organizations. HIGHLIGHT RELATED EXPERIENCE: Participating in extracurricular activities and campus organizations helps to develop teamwork, communications, and leadership skills that are very attractive to employers. Describe how these experiences have provided you with many of the soft skills that will enable you to be a productive employee.
