Critique my Student Resume

[WyrmDL]

Hey TB,

I have created a resume. I have no experience, I am average, but I tried to make the best of it.

Please critique it. Thanks.



-Don

Is there a better way to post this thing? I will make an e-resume version of it soon, but I haven't gotten around yet.

[tplyons]

As someone who spends time recruiting for my business, I can offer a few words of advice:

Tell what you achieved, not what you did. By this, I mean give detail on what you did with each activity. What did your senior exit project achieve? What did you learn? What did you do after you researched care and interviewed practitioners? What is M.O.V.E. club and what did you do with the club?

And to be honest, Quantum Physics as an interest on a high schooler's resume wouldn't do much to impress me. And part-time musician? What do you mean? Does this do anything besides show that you have other stuff on your plate to side track you? Or does it show that you have good time management and self-managerial skills?

Just a few words of advice. More words, more elaboration. Show your achievements, not your activities.

[blendermassacre]

I always like a resume with an objective...

[UnsungZeros]

Originally Posted by tplyons

As someone who spends time recruiting for my business, I can offer a few words of advice:

Tell what you achieved, not what you did. By this, I mean give detail on what you did with each activity. What did your senior exit project achieve? What did you learn? What did you do after you researched care and interviewed practitioners? What is M.O.V.E. club and what did you do with the club?

And to be honest, Quantum Physics as an interest on a high schooler's resume wouldn't do much to impress me. And part-time musician? What do you mean? Does this do anything besides show that you have other stuff on your plate to side track you? Or does it show that you have good time management and self-managerial skills?

Just a few words of advice. More words, more elaboration. Show your achievements, not your activities.

+10000000

I really couldn't have said it better. Your resume is definitely scant on details. As a student, it is understandable that you don't have a lifetime of experience to put on your resume, which is why you need to emphasize your accomplishments. Your resume should show that you're capable of performing, not that you're capable of sitting in a room.

[WyrmDL]

Thank you very much. Before I ask about the things that I need to change, is there anything that I did right?

I'll definitely spend more time to demonstrate my achievements rather than activities. It's very hard for me, since I don't really have that many achievements that stand out (Or that I can think of). Is academic honor roll a good idea to put in a resume? It just seems like I'm trying to find anything that fits the bill to fill the empty space.

Also, is the Interest/Activities section unneeded? It seems like it will do the opposite of benefiting me.

Again, I really appreciate your help.

[Nappa]

Originally Posted by tplyons

As someone who spends time recruiting for my business, I can offer a few words of advice:

Tell what you achieved, not what you did. By this, I mean give detail on what you did with each activity. What did your senior exit project achieve? What did you learn? What did you do after you researched care and interviewed practitioners? What is M.O.V.E. club and what did you do with the club?

And to be honest, Quantum Physics as an interest on a high schooler's resume wouldn't do much to impress me. And part-time musician? What do you mean? Does this do anything besides show that you have other stuff on your plate to side track you? Or does it show that you have good time management and self-managerial skills?

Just a few words of advice. More words, more elaboration. Show your achievements, not your activities.

If he was in an interview he could easily use this then explain each point. Looks and sounds better than a wall-o-text resume.


Also to OP. Certain fields look for certain things in resumes. Like a music career might care about your hobbies (musician) or how a computer programming company will want to know your computer-related certifications.

[UnsungZeros]

Originally Posted by Nappa

If he was in an interview he could easily use this then explain each point. Looks and sounds better than a wall-o-text resume.

The problem is that he wouldn't get the interview in the first place without an explanation of the points.

[Nappa]

Originally Posted by UnsungZeros

The problem is that he wouldn't get the interview in the first place without an explanation of the points.

Maybe tplyons or someone else with hiring experience would be able to explain how to present the explanations without the use of a large block of text.

Here are some examples of resumes that are for certain career choices with tips on how to right a basic one for each.
https://ndsu.optimalresume.com/modul...on=loadSamples

[L-A]

You should have a friend or parent go over the formulation of your sentences. "Proficient in a team context" (or around clientele if that's what you meant) sounds more mature and positive than "ability to work with people".

Originally Posted by WyrmDL

Also, is the Interest/Activities section unneeded? It seems like it will do the opposite of benefiting me.

Don't just mention them. Are you working on an interesting project concerning quantum physics? Explain it in a quick sentence. "Desire to inspire" is particularly vague. If you're interested, you should be able to make it sound interesting.

I'll give an example of one of my interests. My interests section was presented (liberally translated) this way:

I am also

• A cyclist. I have participated in bringing the discipline of bicycle trials to Québec. It is now a recognized sport here, with several annual events and a thriving community.
• A musician. My main works cover music shows and musicals. A soundtrack of my creation earned the Public's Choice price in last year's ... (etc.)
  
  

On a side note, good luck in you job hunt

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by WyrmDL

Thank you very much. Before I ask about the things that I need to change, is there anything that I did right?

I'll definitely spend more time to demonstrate my achievements rather than activities. It's very hard for me, since I don't really have that many achievements that stand out (Or that I can think of). Is academic honor roll a good idea to put in a resume? It just seems like I'm trying to find anything that fits the bill to fill the empty space.

Also, is the Interest/Activities section unneeded? It seems like it will do the opposite of benefiting me.

Again, I really appreciate your help.

You're doing plenty right; you've got a great framework for a resume. Now, just add some talking points, some detail, and you're there. To be honest, my resume isn't perfect; mine is constantly a work in progress, as yours should be. I've made it a point to update every six months, so I always have something prepared if the right situation arises, and then tweak it for that role.

Why don't you feel your achievements stand out? Did you perform any sort of leadership role? Did you have any responsibilities to help your team or group?

As far as Academic Honor Roll goes, it's almost ALWAYS a good thing to mention. It shows that you are capable of following directions and completing things on time. Now, if you're applying for a VP position with a company, there's no need to mention this, but as a student, or recent graduate, it's always to your advantage.

Regarding the interests, once again, explain the value of these, and apply them to the goal you're trying to achieve. Spin the part-time musician part as something along the lines of creative collaboration with others and great management of time and resources.

How does quantum physics apply? Are you applying for something in the field, or do you want to tell people that you're also a part time nerd (here, I jest, but is it relevant to the role you are trying to achieve?)

How does your desire to inspire apply? Could you perhaps spin this into a objective? As in "motivated student seeking a role which will allow me to collaborate with and inspire others to achieve their goals" or something along those lines?

Originally Posted by Nappa

If he was in an interview he could easily use this then explain each point. Looks and sounds better than a wall-o-text resume.

Also to OP. Certain fields look for certain things in resumes. Like a music career might care about your hobbies (musician) or how a computer programming company will want to know your computer-related certifications.

Unfortunately, Nappa, you're very right. These things do come out much better in an interview, but the resume is the way to get that interview. Detail is needed to get your foot in that door, as interviews are harder to come by than ever. It's a buyer's market for the employer, and you need everything possible on your side.

To the OP, can you provide more detail on what you're trying to achieve with this resume? This would allow us to better cater to your audience.

[thatonedude02]

I agree about wanting to see an objective. What is it that you are hoping to get from this resume?

Also, list anything you've done to make money, even if it was just mowing lawns/paper route, babysitting, etc... And give references based on these experiences.

You list two High Schools, did you get a degree from either? If so, list it (it's more important that you got a degree than listing the two specific high schools you attended.)

What did you do for the past year since your high school attendance ended? Might want to list that. It's good to avoid gaps in resumes.

(pardon if I listed something said earlier, I did not read the whole thread, just some)

[Chebass88]

On tip that helped me write a resume was to write down (by hand) all of my achievements. This might take a few days, btu every time you think of one, write it down. After you have a decent list, take the best ones. Rewrite these in terms of ACTION VERBS, showing that YOU did this, not just sat there while someone else did it.

Example: Student Council

Bad way to write this:
Participated in Student Council

Better way to write this:
Student Council - responsible for planning Spirit Week and Winter Dance

If you create a list of all of your accomplishments, it is then very easy to make a resume.

ian