Greetings, a backstory, and resume questions
Hi, all. Like many I found this community through the spotlights, and already I have gotten so many great tips through here.
I'm a recently graduated college student with a B.A. in History and Communication. Like the majority of my peers, I did not have a job nor any prospects upon my graduation. I have been living at home since then, applying for jobs online, emailing people, and commiserating with my high school friends who are unemployed as well. However, I have to admit that I don't have it bad, and my parents have been really supportive through the past two months.
I've actually had a lot of work experience since I was 16. I've had an internship at some sort of firm or office every summer and during the school year, and last summer was the first in which I've actually done hard labor. (I was a waitress. It was great - I made a ton of money and would have gotten an assistant manager promotion had I not had to go back to school in a different state. Unfortunately, such restaurant is now closed. And so it goes.)
Unlike the majority of you, I haven't been as persistent in my job search, since I have all necessary amenities covered. I just have a looming student loan bill that will start ticking come December, like many of us foolish liberal arts students. I have been enjoying the summer a bit too much and the fact that I for once have zero responsibilities, so now I'm trying to kick my butt into gear and find something. I think the large majority of my problem of finding a job is that I've really only been applying to stuff online like the other 400 candidates I'm probably competing with, and so sending my resume and application off into the internet abyss with no follow-up connections has not helped me.
However, I intend to do some informational interviews in the coming weeks around Atlanta, since I am very open minded to my next career move and am willing to do really anything at the moment. I figure the next job is going to be a foot-in-the-door situation for me.
That said, I of course want to make sure my resume and my own goals are polished and the best, most clearly expressed descriptions that they can be. I've been reading a lot of resume and cover letter information all over the place, and I think I have the cover letter business down pat; it's the resume that's the kicker. (By the way, I recommend the blogs Ask A Manager and Clue Wagon for some great job search tips for anyone.) Even though I've had a variety of internships and cool work experiences, I think I just come across as boring and typical on my resume. I think for the types of jobs I'm applying to (which are mostly communication, media, marketing, outreach, etc. assistantships), it's expected for someone to know how to write a good press release, design a company newsletter, make basic updates on a company's website, etc. And most of my resume is just that: glorified job descriptions of what I did in each position.
It seems nowadays that hiring managers want you to say why you were the best in that position, and the company was sad to see you go because of it. For it to be a really standout resume, you need to go beyond the job description. Unfortunately, as someone who really has only had entry-level positions or internships, I can't really say that what I did shook the foundation of any organization. I simply did what I was told to the best of my ability, but I work really hard and am always proud of what I create.
What I'm struggling with is framing this in a standard resume, and how we entry-level kids can get past the barrier that what we've done is only the basis of what we can do. Does this make any sense? I think I've been reading so much resume advice that I'm starting to just drown in it. I like my resume, and I think it does accurately describe what I've done. I just want it to stand out even more, if possible. Honestly, I've been thinking about just starting from scratch, rewriting the entire thing by hand, and then seeing what kind of words and key phrases emerge.
I'm planning to talk to one of my former bosses tomorrow morning, and he wants me to send him my resume ahead of time so that he can look it over (this for some reason terrifies me since I value his opinion so much, but I need to just suck it up and do it since he's willing to help). I'm hoping he'll help provide some insight on what I do well and how I do it, and he'll help me better express it.
So, friends. That's my spiel. If you have any input on my lack of resume-speak, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Other than that, hello, and thank you for letting me be a part of this community! Strength in numbers, people. Everything will work out.
I'm a recently graduated college student with a B.A. in History and Communication. Like the majority of my peers, I did not have a job nor any prospects upon my graduation. I have been living at home since then, applying for jobs online, emailing people, and commiserating with my high school friends who are unemployed as well. However, I have to admit that I don't have it bad, and my parents have been really supportive through the past two months.
I've actually had a lot of work experience since I was 16. I've had an internship at some sort of firm or office every summer and during the school year, and last summer was the first in which I've actually done hard labor. (I was a waitress. It was great - I made a ton of money and would have gotten an assistant manager promotion had I not had to go back to school in a different state. Unfortunately, such restaurant is now closed. And so it goes.)
Unlike the majority of you, I haven't been as persistent in my job search, since I have all necessary amenities covered. I just have a looming student loan bill that will start ticking come December, like many of us foolish liberal arts students. I have been enjoying the summer a bit too much and the fact that I for once have zero responsibilities, so now I'm trying to kick my butt into gear and find something. I think the large majority of my problem of finding a job is that I've really only been applying to stuff online like the other 400 candidates I'm probably competing with, and so sending my resume and application off into the internet abyss with no follow-up connections has not helped me.
However, I intend to do some informational interviews in the coming weeks around Atlanta, since I am very open minded to my next career move and am willing to do really anything at the moment. I figure the next job is going to be a foot-in-the-door situation for me.
That said, I of course want to make sure my resume and my own goals are polished and the best, most clearly expressed descriptions that they can be. I've been reading a lot of resume and cover letter information all over the place, and I think I have the cover letter business down pat; it's the resume that's the kicker. (By the way, I recommend the blogs Ask A Manager and Clue Wagon for some great job search tips for anyone.) Even though I've had a variety of internships and cool work experiences, I think I just come across as boring and typical on my resume. I think for the types of jobs I'm applying to (which are mostly communication, media, marketing, outreach, etc. assistantships), it's expected for someone to know how to write a good press release, design a company newsletter, make basic updates on a company's website, etc. And most of my resume is just that: glorified job descriptions of what I did in each position.
It seems nowadays that hiring managers want you to say why you were the best in that position, and the company was sad to see you go because of it. For it to be a really standout resume, you need to go beyond the job description. Unfortunately, as someone who really has only had entry-level positions or internships, I can't really say that what I did shook the foundation of any organization. I simply did what I was told to the best of my ability, but I work really hard and am always proud of what I create.
What I'm struggling with is framing this in a standard resume, and how we entry-level kids can get past the barrier that what we've done is only the basis of what we can do. Does this make any sense? I think I've been reading so much resume advice that I'm starting to just drown in it. I like my resume, and I think it does accurately describe what I've done. I just want it to stand out even more, if possible. Honestly, I've been thinking about just starting from scratch, rewriting the entire thing by hand, and then seeing what kind of words and key phrases emerge.
I'm planning to talk to one of my former bosses tomorrow morning, and he wants me to send him my resume ahead of time so that he can look it over (this for some reason terrifies me since I value his opinion so much, but I need to just suck it up and do it since he's willing to help). I'm hoping he'll help provide some insight on what I do well and how I do it, and he'll help me better express it.
So, friends. That's my spiel. If you have any input on my lack of resume-speak, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Other than that, hello, and thank you for letting me be a part of this community! Strength in numbers, people. Everything will work out.