Here are 10 basic rules-of-thumb when writing an entry-level resume. I used these myself when applying for my first entry-level job. I’ll be writing a lot more in-depth resume writing advice along the way, so keep checking back for additional tips.
1. Keep it to one page
The multi-page resumes are for working professionals with more than a decade of experience. Now that it’s graduation season, HR departments are getting tons and tons of entry-level applicants, and only have the time to quickly skim your resume, if that. So keep it to one page.
2. Customize your resume for each job
This may be time consuming, but it’s worth it. For example, if you’re applying for a research position at a pharmaceutical company, you might want to leave out the experience you had as a graphic design intern one summer. It’s irrelevant, and a waste of space on the only page you have to work with. However, if the job description calls for you to make brochures using InDesign, it would make sense to include your design experience.
3. Keep it chronological
There are two main resume formats. Chronological is when you list your work experience in reverse order, so that’s from most recent backwards. Functional is when you list your experience by relevance to the job you’re applying to. It’s best for a college grad to list their internships/jobs in reverse order of dates, because it’s easier for the HR recruiter to follow your work timeline. You may not have developed specific skills sets yet, such as sales AND marketing AND account management, so a functional format wouldn’t work unless you’ve been working for years.
rate
email
print
link to this page
