Who came first, chicken or egg? No one can give you a satisfactory answer to that question. Likewise, there is another riddle when you start looking for a job. You are a fresh graduate and companies would like you to have some experience. However, to get that experience, you need to have a job.
That is why getting the first job is a tough thing. You have to go to several interviews and still won’t get the job if you are not lucky. Therefore, students start looking for a job while they are in their last semester. It is better to do so at such times so that you don’t suffer from the feeling of being jobless for a long time.
All you can do at such a time is to impress the interviewer. Even if you start from a small company, it is better to have experience than doing nothing at all. Therefore, when it comes to your first job. Do not be picky about anything.
In addition to this, you have to leave a memorable impression. And the best way to do so is to create an amazing resume. You can learn from some examples at resume-example.com. They offer multiple options for you to choose from. These examples are not only for watching or learning but you will also get the button to get that format. So if you like any specific CV, you can make your like that too.
Here are some guidelines that will help you to create an impressive CV even without much resume.
1. Choose a suitable format
You will find several CVs on the web and several formats to choose from. However, about 90 percent or more will have the experience section. So what will you do when you have none? This is an important thing to do. If you choose a format with a working experience section, it will be difficult to adjust to it.
Therefore, while you are at it, find the format for fresh graduates where there is no experience section. Thus, you will easily fill up your information. Furthermore, you should give details about other things but do not write paragraphs. You need,
- A header – It should include your name and contact details
- Your objective – A very small paragraph of 2 to 3 lines that summarizes your goals
- Your qualification – Again, do not write paragraphs but instead use points. Start from your school and move towards your higher education.
- Skills – Your key abilities and software programs that you can handle
- Languages – If you can speak multiple languages, it might be to your benefit.
- Certifications – If you have any specific certifications, write about them. It is better to provide more information than to leave empty space in your resume.
Although you should fill up the page but there is a line that you should not cross. Providing all the information is a good thing, but writing too much about everything will make your CV look crowded. So do not do that.
2. Writing your educational section
The education section is the most important one. Every employer will look at your qualifications and certifications and then comes towards the experience. Furthermore, if you have no experience, this is the only strength that you can display.
You should write the year when you did your school, the name of the school, major subject, and scores. Likewise, your major is in high school and then your degree program in university. If you attended some extra classes or coursework, you should also mention it.
Afterward, write about your interest in extracurricular activities. If you have been an active member of some clubs, you can use it to your benefit. This shows that you have the experience of working together in groups and leadership qualities. Likewise, you also give the message that you are an active person that you can handle such a job together with your studies.
3. Any remarkable work
Even if you just finished your final semester, you have been living in university for a while. And all universities offer several clubs that hold events. Joining a specific club shows your interests as well as professional skills. This is also a way of learning new things. You will be working together with people from different departments and mentality. This is somewhat similar to your future jobs.
Furthermore, there are some clubs that highlight your strong points. For example, you have an interest in psychology but you are a business student. You can join the psychology club and learn new things. Thus, when you go to apply for a job, this will a strong point in your favor. You can tell them that you are also good at psychological factors and that is why you are a strong candidate for an HR job.
Learning human psychology is also helpful in marketing and sales. Therefore, if you have been a member of such an intellectual group, you can use it to your benefit. Such practices are helpful in showcasing your working experience.
4. Freelancing and volunteering
Even if you have no working experience, you must have done something in your life. Any sort of volunteer work also counts. So if you have worked together with an NGO or any other organization, you should mention it. It does not matter whether it was a significant project or not, it will be our working experience. You can give the interviewer an impression that you have professionalism.
So if you have been helping the local community centers, mention it. Help someone with their digital marketing for free and write it down as the work you have previously done.
You can undertake a learning course at Udemy. These training courses will show your capabilities. So instead of only focusing on getting the job, use this time to learn new skills.
Apart from experience, employers also look for people who are better than other candidates. So if you already know how to use different software programs, the employer won’t have to teach you. This will be to your benefit.