Student Resume

Student Resumes

You've got good grades and a strong record of extracurricular activities. And chances are you've already held some kind of paid employment. Maybe you've worked in retail, done office work, provided child care, or mowed lawns. And some of your best work experience might come from a volunteer activity.

But, with graduation in your near future, you are probably wondering how to convince an employer that those experiences qualify you to take on the responsibilities of a professional position.

Sample:

FirstName LastName

87 Washington Street
Hopedale, NY 11233
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: xxxxx@xyz.edu

EDUCATION

     XYZ UNIVERSITY
Hopedale, NY: BA, American Studies
Cumulative GPA: 3.93  

     GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDY ABROAD
University of Trier, Germany

(Summer 2005)

  AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Washington, DC: Washington Semester in American Politics

(Spring 2004)

RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL EXPERIENCE

U.S. Department of Education
Intern, Office of the Deputy Secretary

(Spring 2005)

Generated concise written synopses of current legislative action for use by the Department, Congress members, and the general public through the ED website.

Researched and presented to policymakers several successful school design and construction projects to support the Administration Schools as Centers of Community proposal.

Washington Semester Independent Research Project
American University

(Spring 2004)

Examined how the increasing dependence of needy students on federal loans instead of grants for higher education has affected college access and enrollment; culminating in 65-page paper

Historical Society of Saratoga Springs
Research Assistant (Spring 2003)

Researched archival materials, wrote text panels and selected objects for a historical exhibit on Saratoga in the 1930s

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Vice President/Academic Affairs
Student Government Association, XYZ University (2003-2004)

Chaired 60-member body representing each academic department and student perspectives on curricular issues

Participated in college-wide policy decisions concerning such ethical issues as the sale of cigarettes on campus

Made detailed oral and written presentations of curricular reform actions in public student

Presidential Search Committee
XYZ University

(2002-2004)

Served as one of two students on a college-wide committee to nominate the sixth President of XYZ University, through all stages including:

A detailed self-study of institutional needs and goals to determine selection criteria

Search for, and hire of, a higher-education specialty consultant

Written evaluation of each applicant, interviews and final recommendation to the Board of Trustees

Honors Forum Council
Student Body Representative, XYZ University

(2001-2002)

Set goals and guidelines for the first two years of Skidmore�019s innovative, comprehensive honors program whose mission is to increase intellectual engagement and academic rigor in students�019 freshman and sophomore years

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

     Student Alumni Society: Founding Member (2002-present) Committee on Academic Freedoms: Student Representative (2002-present) Skidmore Orchestra: French Horn (2001-present) American Studies Club: Secretary (2001-present)

COMPUTER/LANGUAGE SKILLS

Proficient in written and spoken German Extensive experience with Internet Explorer, HTML, Lexis-Nexis and Microsoft Office

You’ll also need a good cover letter.  Here’s an example:

Sample Job Search Networking Letter: Student

YourFirstName YourLastName
Address
City, State, Zip

Date

Contact Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip

Dear Ms. Contact,

I am a junior at Sample College, and found your name and contact information on our Alumni Career Network. I am hoping that you will be able to help me learn more about options in law. I have been encouraged to consider the field by family and professors, alike, and would like to determine if it would be a good match for me.

I am interested in hearing about how and why you entered the field, the pros and cons of working in law, classes and co-curricular activities I should consider if I were to decide to move in this direction, and your advice on how I might test the waters, experientially, over the next few summers.

I appreciate your willingness to advise me, and look forward to contacting you to set up an informational interview.

Sincerely,

YourFirstName YourLastName ‘XX (Class Year)

You may also need good references. 

At some point during your job search, a potential employer will request references. Typically, it will be when the company is seriously interested in you as a potential hire. It's important to be prepared to provide a list of employment references who can attest to the skills and qualifications that you have for the job you are applying for.

Plan ahead and get your references in order, before you need them. It will save time scrambling to put together a list at the last minute. Keep in mind that good references can help you clinch a job offer, so, be sure to have a strong list of references who are willing to attest to your capabilities.