I’ve had the great fortune to live close enough to my undergraduate alma mater to volunteer with students through the Office of Alumni Affairs Career, Mentoring, and Professional Development Center and the college of business.
For several years, I counseled students at an annual “resume boot camp” to help them prepare their resumes for an internship or professional job search, and served as a panelist for a student success conference sponsored by the business school’s fraternal organization. I’ve found these volunteer opportunities extremely beneficial, not just for students preparing for the real world, but for me as well.
I truly love going back to campus. Although some infrastructure has changed or been updated and new academic programs added since my time there, it’s nice to step back in time to see the “old familiar” and go back to where it all began for me. It’s also an incredible opportunity–both as an alumnus and business professional–to pay it forward to those preparing to spread their wings.
Through volunteering on campus, I’ve met many extraordinary students over the years. One student athlete I spoke with wanted to prepare two resumes: one for his major area of study, and one for his athletic career in the event he was drafted to play professional sports. His visit to the boot camp was to make sure that his resumes were in tip-top shape to find a job that would take him away from the poverty he grew up in. His post-graduation goal was clear: going home was not an option. Incidentally, his draft prospects were heavily contingent on the team’s post-season performance. Regrettably, the team lost in the first round and he wasn’t drafted. I lauded him for having the insight to know that sports are not forever and a backup plan is necessary.
I met another student a few years prior who had dreams, goals, and ambition written all over her. As a junior, this young lady presented me with a four-page resume that made me question when–or if–she slept. She was deeply involved in her major, serving as an officer in an academic club. She was heavily involved in the community as well, both on-campus through a multi-cultural organization she helped to establish, and off campus through a local charitable service organization. Her passion and enthusiasm drove me to connect with her in LinkedIn. The next year, she came to the boot camp as a senior with more achievements, even stronger drive, and a more concise resume. We remain in touch to this day.
Another student sought direction not only for his resume, but also for his interpersonal skills. After we discussed a few modifications and areas for improvement on his resume, we had a conversation about other tools he could use and steps he could take to get ahead. He was a self-proclaimed introvert, lacked confidence, and struggled with interpersonal conversation. Sensing he was nervous even to begin the job search process, I reassured him, “If you go into every interview the same way you did with me today, you’ll do just fine.” What he didn’t realize is that an interview is nothing more than a conversation. We just finished a 20-minute conversation about his skills and education–everything a prospective employer would want to know–and I never doubted his ability once.
Though every student is different, my advice to each is the same:
Create a LinkedIn profile. Today’s college students don’t know a time when there wasn’t social media. Though most students engage in various platforms for social purposes, I remind them that LinkedIn is for business. It’s the perfect way for prospective employers to learn more about them, and them about potential employers.
Key words are, well, key. While it’s obvious students shouldn’t apply for positions they’re not qualified for, they should make sure their qualifications most closely match the employer’s needs. With most resumes received and reviewed by application tracking systems (ATS), one way to get past the ATS and catch a recruiter’s eye is to make sure cover letters and resumes include key words and phrases from the position description. Caution: Don’t plagiarize. But do make sure that words related to the position title or its responsibilities (e.g., ‘communications’ rather than ‘marketing,’ ‘finance’ instead of ‘banking’) can be found throughout your documents. The terms should flow naturally and not be overwhelming, like word-stuffed meta tags from the days of old.
Add numbers. This isn’t possible for resumes of all majors, but when and wherever possible, quantify your skills and experience. Did you organize the most successful fundraiser in your organization’s history? Great! How much money was raised? How many volunteers did you work with? How many events do you coordinate a year? Did you serve as treasurer for your campus club? Terrific! What was your total budget? Did it grow? How many members did you have? Don’t tell recruiters how good you are, show them.
It’s evolutionary, not revolutionary. Of course, you want your resume to be perfect and attract recruiters to land that first job. But remember, it’s not carved in stone. As you get your first job, you will learn and grow–as you will throughout your career–and your resume will grow as well. New skills, new positions, and yes, even relevant volunteer positions, can and should be included on your resume as you gain new experience. No one will know your skills and capabilities if you don’t include them.
With this last point, I encourage students and professionals alike to get involved where and when you can. If you’re too far from your alma mater, check your local high school, find a community center, or start a service at your community library. The earlier that students get prepared, the better, and there is always a need for extra resources in the community. Yes, it’s volunteer and there’s no paycheck at the end of the week, but the reward for making connections and helping others is truly invaluable.