How to write a resume the right way

By Katherine Casares | Pulse Staff Reporter

College students who apply for an internship or job will require an outstanding resume.

A resume is a record of accomplishments and experiences.  It’s who you are as a professional, what you can do and what you can offer. Your potential manager, adviser or boss will be reviewing your resume to see if you meet their requirements.

However, many students do not have enough community service or work experience to fill their resumes.

A student resume should include academic history, club or organization involvement and acquired skills, because employers look for the most important facts.

The Center for Academic Transitions or CAT, offers resume-writing workshops in the Student Center Room 101. Clarissa Tejeda, job placement specialist, has experience in helping students write competitive and successful resumes.

“A resume is a snapshot of a student’s academic history,” said Tejeda. “A resume isn’t something concrete. It’s a living being. It’s something that’s always being evolved.”

A student needs a resume with the right resources. It should contain a career or internship objective, educational background, work experience, skills, projects and extracurricular activities.

Organization is very important. It’s best to keep your resume to a maximum of one page.

“Most employers skim through resumes and look for the important facts,” said Tejeda.  “Stay away from being too wordy, and keep it clean. Have good content more than design.”

Sophomore/Pre-med Major Susan Flores is a student at Palo Alto. She has never written a resume before. Flores has applied for the Texas State University Scholarship that requires a resume.

“I don’t know how to write a resume. I’ve been self-employed for 11 years, and I don’t know what I should put,” said Flores. “I definitely would like to know the basics of writing a resume.”

Nora Esparza Education Support Specialist at Palo Alto, say students come in asking for help on writing their resumes. She also said most students just put a reference without letting that person know.

“Make sure you list at least three references and let them know you are using them as a reference,” said Esparza. “We at the CAT are trying to purchase software called ‘Optimal Resume’, where students can go online and create their own resume. The software formats your information for you, and is user friendly.”

Hopefully this software will be available to Palo Alto students by the end of spring or beginning of summer 2012.

Esparza insists that students not only check their resumes but also check what they decide to post online. Companies are beginning to search for their prospective employees on social media sites, such as Facebook. They want to know who you are on all sides. Be aware of how you conduct yourself. It’s up to you to impress your potential employer.

On April 11, the CAT will hold a “Resume Writing Workshop” from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call (210)  486-3131.