Employers review resumes because it is a major requirement that decides whether an applicant is fit for the job or not. It is, therefore, important to ensure that it is very appealing to the employer. To help you do this, we’ll consider how international students can write great resumes.
1. Keep it Short
Potential employers have tons of resumes to read through so present them with the most important details they need in a single page. Make sure the details contained are in tangent with the job description.
2. Typos and Grammatical Errors
A resume is a professional document, therefore, it should be devoid of typos and grammatical errors. To this end, ensure that your resume is proofread thoroughly before submission. You can use Grammarly to check or consult the services of a professional.
3. Be Professional
One way international students can write great resumes is by being professional. This means that you don’t need to include certain details in your resume. For example, photos, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, test scores and other personal information. Employers are not legally allowed to ask for this information, and you are not obligated to provide them either.
4. Include a Cover Letter
Your cover letter introduces you to your potential employers, tells them who you are and what you want. Your cover letter should be no more than three to four short paragraphs. Make the first paragraph arresting. The second paragraph should show what you have to offer to satisfy the organization’s specific needs or requirements. While the third paragraph should prove that you’ll fit in owing to your interest in the company and its upcoming or ongoing projects.
5. Format
In order to write a proper resume, you can follow this format:
- Length: This should be 1-2 pages max.
- Fonts: Use simple fonts like Times New Roman and Arial, size 11-12. Avoid italics, underlining, shading, bolding, etc. The exception to this is if you are applying for an artistic position and you want to show off your creativity.
- Margins: These should be ¾-inch to one-inch on both sides.
Your name and contact information should be formatted as a header that is included at the top of your resume as well as the top of your cover letter. This is important to create a matching format in case documents become separated from each other.
6. Content
Your resume should include
- Contact Info: Your name, mailing address, telephone numbers (home and mobile), email address, etc.
- Objective: This reveals the purpose for which you are looking for the said job. You can leave this out if you choose to.
- Skills Profile: Highlight your best three to five qualifications that make you a good candidate for the job.
- Education: Talk about your educational qualification(s) and awards you have received.
- Experience – Discuss all job experience, both paid and unpaid.
- Extra-Curricular Activities: Provide a list of any school activities club memberships, leadership roles, etc.
- Awards and Professional Memberships: This is the section where you discuss any awards you have won, and all of your professional memberships, including your role and duties.
- Interests: Tell Take the liberty to share your interests with your potential employers such as sports, entertainment, etc.
- References: There’s no need to list references on your resume. Instead, add “References available upon request”, and be prepared to show them during your interview.