Just because you are “young” doesn’t mean you can’t be wise!
STRATEGY IS KEY!
When applying for an opportunity, do your best to tailor your resume to the opening! If the role is for a coordinator and is assistant/entry level work, please be sure to include that you have answered phones, scheduled calendars, etc. Things that you may feel to be inapplicable, could be very applicable- like mentioning you are fluent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Use the job spec to guide how you document your background.
EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS!
Office experience is always key – if you don’t have any, get some 🙂 Perhaps a neighbor, family member, or family friend can give you a tour of duty around their offices and you can kindly use that to beef up some traditional office skills under your work experience! Even working for a week is relevant- a week in an office is totally different than a week of camp- so that time is well worth putting on your paperwork.
DON’T EMBELLISH!
One of my favorite rules in resume writing – is tailor to the opening- but don’t say you can speak Russian if you can’t speak Russian!!! If you are not fluent in PowerPoint, it should not be on your resume. You have to hold yourself accountable to your skill set.
DON’T DOWNPLAY!
Experience comes in all forms- retail, philanthropy, sorority and fraternity, care giving! With thought and some patience, you can fill a resume with strategic words from you time as social chair at a university!
REMEMBER– everyone has been in your shoes once… and whatever is meant to be will be. Remain open, up beat, and optimistic… and remember, step two is most important. Get some work on there- freelance, internships, friends who let you come in for a few days… it all counts!
And one day, you will be just like the rest of us- wishing to go back to college, wink wink 😉
