Grads need to highlight skills

Experiences count when putting a resume together.

Creating a resume can be overwhelming for recent graduates, especially if they don’t have a lot of “real-world” job experience to include in the document.

There are still plenty of elements potential hires can include to make themselves marketable in today’s competitive job scene, according to Manpower Inc. Area Manager Kathy Trautman.

Finding a place to apply

Trautman said the best way to find a job is through personal interaction.

“The number one way that people get started is a personal referral,” Trautman said.

She suggested graduates looking for jobs should begin by networking with friends and relatives.

While some small and medium-sized businesses may be open to walk-in applicants, Trautman said most companies conduct most of their application and hiring process online, so websites are often a good place to start if job seekers want to work at a specific company where they don’t have direct personal connections.

What to include

“(The document should) start by saying (the applicants is a) recent grad and list classes they completed,” Trautman said.

This is particularly important if the applicant has taken classes that may lend themselves to the skills required for the available position.

“Make points that employers are looking for,” Trautman said.

She said graduates should also include any accolades they may have received, including dean’s lists, honor rolls and perfect attendance.

Even if students don’t have professional experience, any basic job experiences should be included.

These types of experiences could be anything from babysitting to lawn care, especially if the applicant had any regular clients throughout the time they were doing these tasks.

How to lay it out

“Front and center are any activities they have or skills they have been trained in that would be relevant to employment,” Trautman said. “Start by listing those at the top.”

She said applicants should then list any extracurricular activities in which they were involved that may show abilities or responsibilities along with any honors that have been received.

In addition, Trautman said it is important for applicants to include a note on an online application or a physical cover letter that explains his or her needs for employment. This is particularly important if applicants will need to work around a college schedule or some other unique obligation.

Where to find help

Trautman said many websites are available to job applicants that may be helpful in directing their resume writing. These include many job search sites and job boards. These resources often will include career advice and webinars to aid applicants in several areas of their job search process.

She said Manpower Inc. has included a section focused on resumes and job interviews on its website at www.manpowerjobs.com.