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This article was updated on December 4, 2023.

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You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: There’s no one else like you. That means your resumé should be just as unique. Use those special qualities to your advantage by showcasing them to potential employers in a summary of qualifications at the top of your resumé. This will help you stand out from other applicants.

Start your summary off strong by opening with a relevant keyword (remember those?) and using action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Action words are verbs like:

• Created
• Improved
• Managed
• Built
• Led
• Completed

Avoid non-action words like conjugations of “to be,” which include “am,” “is” and “was.” Also, just as you should be doing for the rest of your resumé, you’ll want to tailor your professional summary for the specific role.

If you’re just starting off in the workforce and don’t have a lot of experience, don’t feel discouraged during this step. While having professional experience certainly helps, it’s not the only thing you can include to standout from other job seekers.

Do you have any educational experiences that are relevant? Well, include it in an education section. Did you crush it during your extracurricular activities? You can make a section for that too. The same can be said for any awards you may have earned, volunteer work you were apart of, or any internships you joined. Additional sections these like these help fill open white space and make you an overall better applicant.

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One of the easiest mistakes to make, and one that could cost you a job offer, is neglecting to proofread.

Avoid typos by running your resumé through a spell-checker and reading it out loud. Sure, you might look a little strange for a few minutes as you hold a soliloquy outlining your most significant accomplishments, but it’s a better alternative to having someone in human resources reject your resumé because of an easy-to-fix error.

Make sure you also double-check your email address and other contact information. If you make the cut and your prospective employer wants to schedule an interview, the last thing you want is for that employer to be unable to reach you.

Another way to catch mistakes in your resumé is to have a second set of eyes review it. This could be a friend, a co-worker or a family member. Have them read your resumé through the lens of an interested employer and ask them what they think.

You might also consider running your resumé by a career advisor or recruiter. They’re often easy to find on places like LinkedIn. Better yet, if you’re an alum or currently going to school, universities often provide free career support. Their professional feedback could make the difference between landing a job and getting passed over.

One last gentle reminder on accuracy: Don’t stretch the truth! A lie on a resumé, even if you think it’s a minor one, can come back to haunt you.

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Resumé example for career changers

If you’re changing careers and need help explaining the shift to an employer or hiring manager, there is a resumé sample for that too! Similar to being away from the workforce for an extended period, career changers must be able to explain to hiring managers how their skills in another industry are translatable to the industry they are hoping to enter. This can often be easier said than done, but a properly formatted resumé helps.

Before you start writing your resumé, remember a few of these helpful tips:

• Keep your resumé short and avoid jargon
  
• Avoid ready-made templates. They often don’t work well with applicant tracking systems.
• Research and add industry-relevant keywords
• Exclude any unnecessary info from your previous industry that is irrelevant to the new one.

For layout help and a functional format, download the below sample and read our blog article on how to write a resumé when changing careers for additional tips and insights.

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Final words on creating a good resumé

Remember that your resumé doesn’t define who you are. It may seem that way at times, but there’s a lot more to you than your work experience section. That’s why there’s more to writing a resumé than just posting your job-specific qualifications.

A good resumé will help you in your job search, but keep in mind that some roles, from entry-level to director, may require you to also attach a cover letter. Should you need to create a cover letter for your next job, check out our cover letter guide (similar to this one).

A well-written cover letter can often help make applicants even more well-rounded than just including their resumé alone. This is the perfect opportunity to explain to a recruiter why you are looking for a career change, why you have a gap in your work experience, and show off your soft skills.

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Active ��ɫ��Ƶ students and graduates have a team of career advisors eager to help them take that next step. Learn more about Career Services for Life™ commitment.