Employers are looking for well-rounded students with demonstrated leadership and multi-tasking abilities in addition to good grades.
When college students embark on their college journeys, the last thing on their minds is working upon graduation. But, unfortunately, too many years and parties lie between the beginning of college and that point. And while that may be real, it is also a little-known fact amongst first-year college students that the earlier they start building their resumes for post-college working life, the easier it will be for them to get the job they want.
Having a degree doesn’t necessarily mean a job will be waiting for you. Moreover, even if the degree prepares you for a specific career, you still have to compete with countless other applicants for particular job openings.
Employers want motivated students who do more than get through school. Attending class and doing well is often not enough to beat out other contenders. A student with good grades and relevant work experience sometimes stands a better chance at landing a job than the student with excellent grades yet has nothing else to report on a resume.
How Do You Begin Writing Your Resume?
So what should a new college entrant do to begin prepping for the real world? The first thing should be to nail down precisely what you like to do. It’s incredible how many paths one degree can take you. For instance, someone with an accounting degree can work in public accounting, corporate accounting, accounting, and finance recruiting as a professional writer or college instructor. These jobs require the same background, but the actual day-to-day work is hugely different for each one.
Once you nail down exactly where you want to begin upon graduation, the next step is to brainstorm what kind of qualifications a potential employer would be looking for in a new hire. The most leisurely path to do this is to look up an accurate entry-level job description for that exact position. The job listing should explain what is expected of a good candidate. In addition, it will give you an outline of the goals you need to achieve over the next few years.
When you know what an employer will be looking for, try to figure out which kinds of jobs will give you the correct experience. The goal is to figure out what type of internship or part-time work will look good on your resume. If you are stumped, get in touch with someone who works in that field; if you can’t network your way to a contact (for instance, through a relative or friend), don’t be afraid to cold-call your way into a meeting with the right person. You shouldn’t have a problem finding at least one successful professional willing to give you advice as you plan your college career.
Internship positions may have requirements like a minimum GPA and extracurricular activities. In addition, your college’s career guidance office should have specific internships or other related work information.
Bulking Up on Resume-Building Extracurricular Activities
After you nail down a tentative goal plan for obtaining work experience that will look good on your resume, start thinking about other things that will help you stand out above the crowd. Extracurricular activities always look good on a resume, especially when you are an active participant in an organization.
As you decide which organizations to join, consider how you can become involved beyond simple membership. Again, aim for quality, not quantity here. For example, serving as the treasurer of a business fraternity and co-chair of another student group looks much better than simply being a member of four different organizations. Be prudent in this regard, and the time and effort you invest in these activities will surely pay off when the time comes to look for work.
A Resume That Stands Out
Many college students put off job hunting until their last semester. It is a sure way to increase their odds of not lining up a job before graduation. Don’t be one of those students; actively participate in extracurricular activities and seek out summer internships, co-op arrangements, or part-time work in a relevant field. Then, when it comes time to interview for your first job outside of college, you will be able to stand out.
