Final semester kicking in just a few more days, I’m willing to bet polishing your resume is right on top of your To-Do’s or New Year’s resolutions list. While those of us who’ve already been placed need to worry about this a little less, buffing our resume (or creating one *cough cough*) becomes a priority for those of us who will be sitting for placements in this cycle. While the perfect resume format is a myth, the internet is replete with good advice. But the amount of information available can be very overwhelming at times. For your ease, we bring you a compilation of the some of the best tips out there. Feel free to tailor them to your skill set or requirements!
1. Assess your skills
Being only an undergraduate student limits your exposure in the real world. While internships expose you to different kinds of scenarios, chances are that your overall skill-set will not be very different from your fellow classmates. How then would you go ahead distinguishing yourself from others? The only way you can do is by crafting your own brand, by marketing yourself in a way that an employer would want to meet you in person. It’s all about figuring your own individuality and finding possible job outlets in order to develop yourself further. You can start by pondering what skills and interests you do possess. Your interests and hobbies will guide you, and once you have an inkling of an idea of what you can do, you can start working towards establishing that goal.
2. Grow your network
Once you have an idea of where your interests lie, try to understand how you can market them. For example, if your hobby is bookworming, and you think you could make a good editor, try to understand how media works, or how the industry of Publishing is organised. Connect with people who’re already employed in the same industry, or who’re working towards similar goals. When you have a good knowledge of what your dream job actually entails on a daily basis, you can shape your resumes better by tailoring it to specific job requirements.
3. Gain experience
Most people believe your chances of landing an internship exhaust when you’re past your sophomore year. This is far from the truth. There are good chances of finding an internship post-graduation, if you’re still not sure of committing to a specific job yet. Try and gather as much experience as you can, with internships, field projects or research work in your field. If you couldn’t kickstart your career in college the past 5 semesters, you don’t need to suffer an existential crisis this semester.
4. Research potential employers
Many ‘perfect’ resumes have been rejected in the past, because the candidate’s skills and the needs of the employer are not the right match. So many people apply for jobs they have zero interest in for fear of being unemployed after graduation. A person who wishes to be in Editing and Journalism might never make a good accountant, and vice versa. Research potential employers in areas/sectors you’d like to work in. Look for what they seek in an ideal candidate and assess if your skills match to those requirements. Your resume should reflect your interests and ambitions in accordance with an employer’s requirements.
5.Build your resume/cover letter
Your resume/cover letter should reflect all the research you did. Content is king. Start listing several projects you undertook in college like being part of a society in college, including any volunteering initiatives in your college department. If you were elected in a leadership role, list down key achievements during your tenure. Make sure that when you’re done with crafting your resume, it makes sense as a whole. It should be cohesive and the information should flow easily. Make sure to proofread it for any grammatical errors!
6. Prepare for interview
While a resume can get you inside the glassdoors, a perfect interview will guarantee you the job and seal the deal! Take advice from your placement cell advisors. Several internship portals and channels on YouTube are devoted to helping students make a good first impression. Take help from them, and continue to practice key interview questions.
The last semester as an undergraduate is an exciting and unnerving time. Being prepared is the key to making sure you never miss out on any fun, while at the same time landing a favorable job for you! Goodluck for the upcoming placement sessions!
Feature Image credits: tkmce.ac.in
Surbhi Arora
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