Resume
Creating a resume is crucial for a multitude of reasons. Not only will a strong resume standout to employers, but the process of building a resume will help the writer understand their skills, goals, and best-fit jobs.
​
Resumes have two primary sections - Experience and Education / Projects. If space allows, adding an Interests section can create important connections with your interviewer.
Experience
Functional learning focuses on developing practical, applicable skills and knowledge that can be directly used in real-life situations, particularly in the workplace.
Education / Projects
For early-stage professionals, a strong Education section is vital since many entry level jobs are paired with a selection of majors. For later-career professionals, the Education section should be de-emphasized in lieu of additional experience or relevant projects.
Interests
Including an interests section creates common ground with the interviewer and facilitates the "outside of work" bonding that is critical in interviews.
Benefits
A well-crafted resume effectively showcases your skills, experiences, and accomplishments, making a powerful first impression on potential employers.
Being confident in your resume reduces the stress and time involved in applying for jobs and allows you to respond quickly to opportunities as they arise.
First Impressions
A resume is nearly always the first document requested by employers, and the most likely to be kept on file.
Reflection
Documenting career history leads to careful consideration of your career trajectory.
Elevator Pitch
Being familiar with your resume is one of the best ways to know your "elevator pitch", which is one of the most important networking tools.
Interview Prep
Knowing your resume well will prepare you for the interviews that follow.
Challenges
Oftentimes starting a resume can be the hardest part. On top of that, the number of sites offering resume templates and advice is overwhelming. ​​​
​​Many of these sites advertise themselves as "free" but restrict the ability to download the resume that has been created to paid plans.
