Category: Employment

Employments covers the self-employed business person and/or entrepreneur as well as salaried individuals working on various shifts, including the standard “9 to 5” shift. Transitioning from employed to self-employed is one of the biggest hurdles to folks owning and operating their own business; the others being start-up capital and an operating budget.

Structure and Objective of an Internship Resume


Aligning education with experience

There is a special style of resume known as the Internship Resume; and as implied by its name, this style of resume is composed with the goal of obtaining an internship in a desired field. While Internship resumes are known to be chronological in format, they have a different set of goals than a resume created for purposes of acquiring a full-time professional position.

First and foremost, the objective is not to further an individual’s career, but rather, to gain experience and skills in a given field in order to expand on his/her education, an asset which will later be instrumental in obtaining a position in that particular industry.

Second, internships do not require professional experience; they are simply a way for college graduates and other youngsters who lack experience to gain such experience which can later be utilized to obtain a full-time job using what was learned during the internship.

Third, these types of resumes are more focused on academic achievements than on work background, because applicants must demonstrate that the desired internships are logical extensions of their studies. With this in mind, college students – new or returning – typically utilize this resume style to get their foot in the door with companies they might ultimately desire to work for after graduation.

Resume conveyances of priorities

Much like any other professional resume, the internship resume should contain an objective with which the applicant conveys to a potential employer how such an internship aligns with his/her studies; what s/he can bring to the table; what s/he hopes to gain out of the experience and how s/he will apply the newfound skills once s/he is out in the professional world. Essentially the applicant is convincing a potential employer that s/he is the best candidate for the internship, and that s/he will learn the most, as well as the fact that the experience is integral to professional growth.

If you are, or will soon be the subject of an internship resume, keep in mind that when composing your resume for an internship, you will need to highlight your education first. However, you should do more than just list your previous degrees, or degrees in progress. Point out the classes you have taken that qualify you for the internship, and indicate how your major is in line with the internship and how this experience will help you in your future studies.

After you indicate your objective and your education, list your qualifications, and make a list ahead of time of all the skills that qualify you for the internship. Review your list and prioritize it because most frequently made mistake in resume writing is in not prioritizing the supporting information and allowing most of your strongest skills to fall at the bottom of the list. Consider what qualifies you for the internship and list those qualifications first so that your employer recognizes that you are a great fit for the position.

Resume should include all your skills

Your work experience can help, but is typically not a make or break point in getting an internship, but if you have any work experience, go ahead and include it in your resume. You should also make sure to prioritize your responsibilities as they relate to the given internship and be mindful to indicate any experience you have in sharpening your inherently employable skills: skills which extend beyond your education and technical abilities, such as communication, customer relations, team work, taking charge, etc.

As indicated earlier, applying for an internship is somewhat different than applying for a full time job; but along with your internship resume, you will want to submit references. For any employment experience you’ve had to date, include your supervisor’s name, title and contact information so that your potential employer can obtain any information that might prove helpful to you, like recommendations.

In addition, it will be greatly benefit you to have recommendation letters from your professors, because they can identify your skills in terms of your dedication, work ethic, enthusiasm, interpersonal communication and interaction with others in your classroom. Employers look for these skills because they want to assure that you will be a good fit for their team, even if your role is short term.

Ask for and include recommendations

You might also want to ask two or three of your professors for their recommendation. Simply provide them with the contact information of your potential employer, including an email and a physical mailing address, so the letters can be mailed to that employer directly. Or, ask your professors to place their recommendation letters into sealed envelopes before giving them to you in order to assure that the information is confidential.

If possible, include your transcripts with the resume as this will be a great indication of your commitment to your education, providing of course that your grades are good. Your transcripts can only help in getting you the internship. As a final step, proof your application materials; and feel free to seek assistance from your school’s career center. You have only one chance to make a great first impression so– do it well, and you should be in good enough position to get the internship of your choice.

 

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Evaluate and List the Qualifications Employers Want


Guided by the job description

When applying for a job it is important for an applicant to read the job description as thoroughly as s/he possibly can before submitting the application; because a lot of what employers are actually looking for in their potential associate is written right in the job description and requirements. In fact, an applicant should review his/her resume against the job description and requirements listed in order to make sure that s/he has covered everything the employer is looking for.

If you, as a job applicant, can address all requirements of a potential employer with the information included on your resume or in your cover letter, you will be on the right track for getting that job. However, there is a whole list of skills employers look for that are never spelled out in the job description. These are a category of skills which can be described as inherently employable, which are certain skills beyond your technical knowledge and qualifications that make you a great professional in your field.

Inherent employable skills

Don’t panic because you already have employable skills inherently, although you just may not think of them as critical for getting a job. These inherently employable skills have been grouped in eight categories:

  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Initiative and enterprise skills
  • Planning and organizing skills
  • Self-management
  • Learning skills
  • Technology skills

Now that you have read the categories you are probably thinking to yourself, yes, I do have those skills! But did you ever think to list them on your resume? Most people focus on their professional achievements and responsibilities, and they often skip these skills in favor of those which are job specific. However, more and more employers look for these skills on a resume. Your potential employer wants to know that you are a team player, that you communicate well, and that you will show initiative when needed.

Showcase all your valuable skills

While you may think this is implied by your interest in the available position, employers like to see these skills to be specified on your resume or in your cover letter; and the best way to demonstrate these skills is through your experience and under your qualifications. Point out the initiatives you have participated in that required you to work in a team environment, under a deadline, or as a self-starter. Demonstrate your loyalty through pointing out your accomplishments at an organization and how they benefited your team as a whole (not just you).

You can showcase these inherently employable skills in your cover letter by openly showing your enthusiasm for the available position; stating your commitment to your career objective; indicating your motivation and your integrity; and showing that you are, above all, unselfish and credible.

These skills are as critical to your ability to do a great job as your professional experience and education are; and employers often look for someone who will be a great fit on their team and in their organization; someone who works well under pressure but also has a sense of humor and a good balance between their personal and professional life.

Above & beyond the job qualifications

Review your existing resume! Does it contain any inherently employable skills? If not, make revisions to incorporate this category of skills you believe are innate strengths. If you are unsure, ask your friends or family for an objective opinion so that you can get a better idea of how you are viewed as a person as well as a professional by people around you see you.

Keep these attributes in mind as you compose your resume and your cover letter, and especially as you are taking part in interviews. These skills can be the difference between the ability to do a job you qualify for and exceeding goals to grow in your career.