Resume Tips for Online College Students
Posted: November 20, 2020 | Author: Sera Emiroglu | Read Time: 3 minutes
"Those seeking employment opportunities post-graduation face unique challenges that graduates from SUU haven't faced for several years,” said Brandon Street, director of Career & Professional Development at Southern Utah University. “As competition for internships and employment opportunities increases, it becomes even more important to carefully consider how we go about applying for these opportunities. The resume is often the foundational document employers consider when reviewing candidates for their opportunity.”
Three Ways to Help Your Resume Stand Out
1. Target Your Resume
As Street suggests, target your resume to your desired employer. Make sure you read the job description thoroughly and take down keywords that apply to you and your experience. Include those keywords in your resume to ensure that it is targeted for that specific position.
“Writing an effective resume begins by taking into account the person(s) that will be reading your resume,” said Street. “Often we write a resume from our perspective, like a biography of ourselves. We want to include all of our experiences and speak of them generally and then provide this one resume to every employer. However, if you want to stand out from other candidates, I would suggest that you write your resume more as a targeted, marketing document. Tailor your resume to the opportunity to which you are applying. Adapt the summary at the top of the resume to the skills and characteristics that the employer is seeking based on your discussions with the employer or others at the company as well as what you find in the job ad. Also adapt the descriptions under each experience so you are speaking of your experiences in a way that is meaningful to the employer.”
2. Include Completed Projects
While pursuing your online degree, you’re going to complete many projects that are applicable to the career you want to pursue. By incorporating those projects and relating them to the job you are applying for, you are sure to stand out among the sea of applicants and impress potential employers.
3. Use Skills You’ve Learned in Your Classes
Throughout your classes you’ll gain a variety of skills, including the skills that go along with navigating online coursework. Make sure to enter software experience, hard skills you’ve gained an understanding of, as well as soft skills you have developed.
Southern Utah University’s Career and Professional Development Center is here to help students find purpose, make connections, and prepare for the future. For one-on-one help, schedule an appointment with a certified career coach. The Center’s services are free to students and they are available via video conferencing, phone, or in-person.
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