You only have 6-9 seconds before a recruiter moves on to the next resume – how can you ensure they look at yours? The O’Brien Center for Career Development has created an easy process for you to create a resume that will ensure your next job or internship application will make the call-back stack. Before you go and book that appointment with your career advisor, try these helpful steps first:
-
Sit Back, Relax, and Watch Recommended Videos
The first step in crafting your resume is easy: watch these recommended videos! 🎥 The following are short and engaging introduction videos. If you’re looking for more content, explore the thousands of free videos you have access to with your LinkedIn Learning account.
Video: How-To Write a Resume (2 min., 42 s.)
Video: Writing Resumes & Cover Letters (2 min., 51 s.)
Video: Creating a Great Resume (1 min., 45 s.) -
Access Merrimack Templates
Now that you’ve watched some videos, it’s time to check out some templates designed by Merrimack College’s professional staff. 📝 Log-in to your Handshake account and access all of the resume templates in our Resource Library. You can use resume templates that align with the school you are a part of, as well as some that are major-specific.
All resumes should include Contact Information, Education and Experience sections, but there are many other sections that you may decide to include such as Involvement, Service, Leadership, Skills and Profile/Summary. Ensure your file is consistent when listing dates, using punctuation marks and has correct grammar. Undergraduate students should aim for one page in most scenarios.
-
Start Drafting your Resume
You’ve watched the videos, you’ve seen the templates, it’s now time to start drafting your own resume (gasp 😱), But don’t fret, you have all the tools to start that first draft. Make sure you’re following a proper format like you’ve seen in the templates, list out the skills you’ve developed and list out what you’ve demonstrated in current and past experiences. It’s important to customize your resume to the specific position you’re applying to and using quality keywords related to the industry.
To ensure your resume is accepted by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), be sure you do not use any of the following: tables, charts, graphs, images, graphics or columns. All of the Merrimack templates are ATS compatible.
-
Use Quinncia’s Resume Analysis Tool
With a working draft created, the next step in the resume process is uploading it to Quinncia. Quinncia’s resume analysis tool uses artificial intelligence to make suggestions and improve your resume before you even meet with your career advisor. Simply register for your free account with your Merrimack email address and password and let the software do the rest!
-
Get your Resume Professionally Reviewed
Your resume is looking mighty fine! 👌 Now it’s time to get one last pair of eyes on it for a final review: a career advisor! You can get your resume reviewed by booking an appointment with your career advisor. You can also use drop-in hours hosted by your school based advising center or the O’Brien Center.
-
Upload your Resume to Handshake
Now that your resume is finalized, you are now able to upload to Handshake. Not only can you utilize your resume to auto-populate your Handshake profile if you haven’t already, but you can easily upload it whenever you apply to an internship, co-op or job through the platform. Did you know that 80% of students who fill out their interests on Handshake are messaged by an employer? Make sure you use your resume to help your profile stand out!
-
Continue to Update your Resume
The hardest part is complete; you have a nice, polished resume that will help you land the position! 🙌 But as you gain more experience, skills or project-related work, you’ll need to update your resume once more. If you need a refresher, you can start this process all over again or bop back over to Quinncia if you’re keeping the same format. We recommend updating your resume every semester so it’s fresh and as up-to-date as possible.
And voila! Your resume is complete! ✅ Have additional questions about your resume? Email your resume to your career advisor for some feedback, or schedule a meeting to talk it over in person.
