| Whether you are just entering the workforce after | | | | it! Work Experience Many entry-level applicants worry |
| graduation or you have decided to change careers, | | | | about their lack of detail in this area. Don't forget, |
| you need an entry-level resume that will help you get | | | | though, that you are applying for entry-level |
| a job in a new field. Without industry experience, | | | | positions, so hiring managers expect that applicants |
| however, many applicants worry that their resume | | | | won't have a lot of work experience in the field. You |
| won't pass muster. Not to worry - when you are | | | | can make your work history look better by |
| applying for an entry-level job, employers will expect | | | | describing each set of job responsibilities in a way |
| you to have entry-level experience. However, a | | | | that plays up the work experience. For example, if an |
| professional resume is still required, regardless of your | | | | after-school job included lower-level management |
| level of experience. Here are the elements that | | | | responsibilities, make sure you note them on your |
| every entry-level resume needs to have, as well as | | | | resume. Alternatively, you can use a functional |
| several tips for writing a winning resume. Elements of | | | | resume format, which works well for entry-level |
| an Entry-Level Resume When browsing resumes, the | | | | applicants. The functional format allows you to |
| majority of hiring managers simply scan the | | | | arrange work experience according to skills that |
| objectives and summary of each one before moving | | | | employers will be looking for. For example, if you are |
| on to the next. This means that the information at | | | | trying to break into journalism, but have no |
| the top is the first - and possibly the only - part of | | | | experience in the field, you might be able to highlight |
| your resume that gets noticed. A resume is basically | | | | the desired skills elsewhere: under the skill heading |
| a sales pitch - a one- or two-page description of | | | | "Communication" you could list your letter-writing |
| what an employer will get if they hire you. And | | | | duties as an office secretary, the research write-ups |
| because hiring managers have very short attention | | | | you had to do as a work-study student, and the |
| spans, you need to hit them with your selling points | | | | reporting you did for the school paper. The downside |
| as quickly as possible. Contact Information Nothing will | | | | to the function format is that it is not always well |
| hurt your chances faster than making a prospective | | | | received - some employers and most recruiters |
| employer hunt for your contact information. This | | | | prefer to see a listing of the jobs you have actually |
| information should be listed clearly at the very top of | | | | held. The combination format typically satisfies this |
| your resume. Objectives Believe it or not, this is the | | | | requirement. This format still combines work |
| most important part of an entry-level resume. First, | | | | experience into a "Professional Skills" section; |
| this is the first thing a hiring manager sees. Second, | | | | however, it is followed by a bare bones listing of |
| since your work history cannot demonstrate your | | | | your work history, with only the job title, employer, |
| chosen career path, it's up to your objectives to tell | | | | and dates listed. Other Elements There are other |
| employers where you are headed. A bulleted list of | | | | sections that you can add to your resume to |
| focused objectives is a necessity. Instead of "Position | | | | showcase your other qualifications. A section entitled |
| where I can exercise my creative skills," use, | | | | "Community Service" demonstrates additional work |
| "Assistant art direct position in the independent film | | | | experience, even if it wasn't paid. The |
| industry in the New York City metropolitan area." | | | | "Achievements" section allows you to list awards you |
| Likewise, if you want a management job with good | | | | have received at school and work. "Training and |
| upward mobility, write something like, "Management | | | | Certifications" lists other qualifications you have, such |
| position with opportunities for advancement. Open to | | | | as certificates or on-the-job training, which cannot be |
| travel and/or relocation." Of course, your objectives | | | | listed under the education section. The placement of |
| should be tailored to fit the specific job you are | | | | these sections depends on the context of the rest |
| applying for - if you really want it, that is. Telling the | | | | of your resume, with the most important (or |
| retail hiring manager that you would prefer a job in | | | | impressive) qualifications always going nearer to the |
| engineering is a sure way to get passed over! | | | | top. Last-Minute Advice for Writing Your Entry-Level |
| Summary Your resume summary is also extremely | | | | Resume Now that you know what goes into an |
| important - if the hiring manager doesn't see what he | | | | entry-level resume, you're ready to start writing! As |
| is looking for there, he is not likely to look any | | | | you work on your resume, however, remember |
| further. Your summary section should contain a | | | | these rules of thumb: - Be honest - Whatever you |
| bulleted list of your most important qualifications. | | | | do, don't succumb to the temptation to inflate your |
| When you have more experience, this is the section | | | | qualifications! The littlest white lie can cause you not |
| where you will list the number of years you have | | | | only to lose the job, but also to burn that bridge |
| worked in the field. For now, you will simply list other | | | | before you even get a chance to cross it. - Cut to |
| noteworthy qualifications you have. Avoid summary | | | | the chase - Above all, hiring managers are short on |
| statements that have become cliché, such as | | | | time. This means that the fewer words you use, the |
| saying you are "detail-oriented." Too many other | | | | shorter your resume, and the better its chances of |
| applicants will make the exact same claim. Instead, | | | | being read. Don't use unnecessary words - make |
| pick out the qualifications that make you valuable and | | | | each point as succinctly as possible. - Sell your |
| unique. Remember, this is not only your sales pitch - | | | | strengths - It is important to remember that the |
| it is also your last chance to get the hiring manager's | | | | point of a resume is to "sell" your qualifications to the |
| attention before he moves on to the next resume. | | | | hiring manager. Your resume should display your |
| Education Typically, a resume lists work experience | | | | qualifications prominently. Don't hide your lack of |
| before education. However, the point of a resume is | | | | experience or make up qualifications you don't have - |
| to highlight your strengths, not expose your | | | | just be sure employers can readily see what you'll be |
| weaknesses. If you have a good education but not a | | | | bringing to the table. As long as you follow these tips |
| lot of experience, you can shift the focus by listing | | | | and include the basic elements listed above, your |
| your education first. Your education section should list | | | | resume is sure to get attention. Remember, while a |
| your degrees with the most recent first. List the | | | | great resume alone won't land you a job, a sloppy or |
| degree, followed by the name of the school. Your | | | | incomplete resume could cost you a great |
| graduation date should also be included; if you haven't | | | | opportunity! |
| graduated yet, simply put your scheduled graduation | | | | Jason Kay contributes to career related websites like |
| date. You should also include your GPA only if it is | | | | JobGoRound.com, which provides job search tips and |
| worth writing home about - that is, if it is above 3.0. | | | | interviewing tips as well as a comparison of resume |
| Otherwise, don't include it in your resume, but | | | | writing services. |
| practice your answer for when you are asked about | | | | |