Student resume: how to compile without work experience?
The ability to write a competent resume is a skill that every student should have. For the most part, such a document will come in handy for employment. Also, a resume may be required if you will continue to continue your studies (for example, abroad, in a master's or graduate school).
What are the rules for writing a resume? Do I need to attach my photo to the document? How to write a cover letter correctly? We will talk about this in our material.
Compilation rules
The first resume of a student is an important document for further professional and personal development.... That is why it is necessary to approach its preparation with great responsibility. Traditionally, there are several standard resume writing rules that apply to students as well. Let's consider them in more detail.
Optimal volume
In this regard, it is always worth remembering and keeping in mind the fact that the employer receives a huge number of resumes every day. If each of the applicants sends long and voluminous documents, then the personnel of the company simply physically will not be able to read all the resumes. This is why the first opportunity to stand out is to show the employer that you value their time.
To shorten your resume, you should fill it out only on the case, do not add unnecessary biographical details or personal information. Also of great importance is the font you choose, its size, and the type of alignment.
With the help of technical tricks, you can fit even the most voluminous resume onto 1 page, which is the optimal length for this kind of documents.
Individual design
A short resume with a minimalist and stylish look is something that is sure to grab the attention of any employer. To compile such documents, you can use existing programs and applications, or show a little personal creativity. However, remember that creativity should not overshadow professionalism. Anyway, but your resume must fully meet all the necessary requirements.
Correctness
The presence of grammatical errors and the absence of necessary commas are those properties of a resume that will immediately make it clear to the employer that you are inattentive, and possibly even poorly educated. That's why before sending a document for employment, it is important to make sure that it is drawn up in accordance with all the rules of the Russian language. It is advisable to re-read your resume several times, ask your relatives or friends to do it, you can also use special services for checking the correctness of spelling.
Consistent writing style
A resume is a business document. Accordingly, when writing it, you should be guided by the principles of the official business style. It is unacceptable to use colloquial words or use artistic descriptive techniques when writing a resume.
Honesty
Often, students (especially those who have no work experience) try to "embellish" their resume by inventing some facts and misleading the employer. Such actions are strictly prohibited. remember, that in the course of work, your untruthfulness will certainly be revealed, and you will lose the trust of the employer, and you may also be fired altogether.
Thus, in the process of writing a resume, it is very it is important to follow the rules described above. These generally binding principles of business etiquette will immediately make it clear to the employer that you are a responsible and attentive person who carefully approaches any task.
Transmittal letter
A cover letter is a document that allows you to tell the employer about yourself and your merits in more detail. Nevertheless Do not abuse this opportunity: a cover letter, like a resume, cannot be longer than 1 page. This document gives you the opportunity to talk in more detail about your skills and professional skills, highlight the details of your education, motivate the choice of this particular position and this particular company, and also focus on your advantages and benefits. That way, you can stand out from the crowd with a cover letter.
A student can write that he not only studies for A's, but also participates in the social life of his university, takes part in sports competitions and creative competitions. Thus, you will make it clear to the employer that you are not only a valuable employee from a professional point of view, but you are also a comprehensively developed and erudite person who will be an excellent addition to the team.
In addition, participating in a variety of activities proves that you are skilled in time management and that you are a disciplined and responsible person. Thus, a cover letter is a description of you as a whole person.
Do you need a photo?
Generally speaking, attaching a photo to a resume was not initially a prerequisite. However, over time an increasing number of employers are declaring the need for a photograph. In general, the decision of whether you will attach your photo to your resume depends on several factors. So, first of all, it is important to read the direct announcement of the vacancy.If the presence of a photograph is a matter of principle, then the employer will definitely indicate this. In this case, it is recommended to follow its requirements.
However, another situation can often arise when the job description only says that you need to submit your resume, but no emphasis was placed on the need for a photo. In this case, we recommend applying depending on what position you are applying for. So, if your work is directly related to your appearance, most of your working day you will communicate with people, you should attach your picture (for example, for the position of a waiter, administrator, coach, etc.).
On the other hand, if your direct responsibilities do not include constant direct interaction (this may apply to some office positions or the so-called work on the phone), then you do not need to add a photo. At the same time, it should be remembered that sooner or later, you will still meet with the employer for an interview, and you will also be constantly in his field of vision during work.
In this regard, it is not recommended to deliberately hide your appearance - it is better to immediately send a resume with a photo so that the employer and the personnel of the personnel department do not have unnecessary questions.
What should be indicated?
Correctly writing a student resume for a job is a rather difficult task (for both full-time and part-time students). In this case, such a document will also need to be drawn up for practice or internship. The main purpose of a resume is to attract an employer. Consider examples of filling out a resume graph using a template.
- Job responsibilities... In this block, we describe the desired position (for example, a doctor's position for a medical student) and the responsibilities that you are ready to fulfill.
- Section about education. In this block, we must indicate information about the university or college in which training is currently taking place. In this case, it is imperative to write the year of the beginning of the study and the year of its completion, as well as your specific specialization. If this is your second education, then be sure to indicate the first. In addition, do not forget to write about additional courses, trainings and master classes that you have taken. This way you show the employer that you are an interested and passionate professional who is ready to develop and learn new things.
- Work experience and achievements. If you already have experience in your specialty, then it must be described. Any internships and practices will do. In the absence of experience, we write about achievements. For example, you can write that you won first place in the Olympics or are the president of a student club.
- Professional skills. Here we talk about your skills. For example, knowledge of English, knowledge of graphic editors, etc. Your skills should be directly related to the position for which you are applying.
- Personal qualities. We write about our individual characteristics: the ability to work in a team, punctuality, sociability, stress resistance, etc.
What shouldn't you write?
As mentioned earlier, a resume is purely a business document. It should give the employer an idea of what professional skills you own, what kind of person you are, what achievements you have.
That's why your resume does not need to describe your personal life and biography. Any information that is not directly related to the position you are applying for should be excluded from this document. This applies not only to personal data, but also to irrelevant work or education experience. So, often students, trying to show themselves from their best side, talk about how they worked as waiters or souvenir sellers during the holidays.
Such information does not interest the employer at all if at the moment you want to get a position, for example, a dentist.
Samples
Consider a few well-written student resumes.