Don’t Submit Your Entry-Level Resume without Showcasing

Every good resume comes with basic components to lure in hiring managers, and they are especially useful for you when writing an entry-level resume.  But what are those components?  Here are a few to consider:

Career Summary

You may wonder how you can summarize your career if it’s been a short one in your field.  Well, just because you’re an entry-level candidate in your field doesn’t mean you’ve never worked or don’t have any type of history to share.  Take time to look at your past to find accomplishments, qualifications, and skills you’ve acquired over the years (e.g., church secretary, student assistant, etc.), then use them in your summary—as long as they relate to the position.

Willingness to Be Trained

Because both you and the hiring manager know that you may not have a great deal of experience in your field, they need to know that you have a willingness to be trained.  Of course, it helps to already have a degree in the field or have been trained otherwise for the position you want.  But noting that you have excelled with training and have always been able to hit the ground running is great as well.

Understanding of Your Field

Even if you have yet to put your imprint on the field you love, it’s great to show that you understand it.  You can showcase this by highlighting any field-related organizations you belong to, internships you’ve worked, or even field-related projects you’ve completed for school.  Also, if you have a Twitter page or blog dedicated to topics in your field, note this (and add the links) in your resume.

Proof of Commitment

Employers want to know that you are able to commit to them once you’ve started working.  A great place to note this is in your career summary.  Whether you are switching careers and have a long history with another company, have remained dedicated to an on-campus job in school, or have volunteered for an organization for an extended period of time, it’s good to note your commitment and dedication in your summary.

You Can Work Error-Free

Telling a hiring manager that you are an efficient worker is great, but another way to prove that you can work error-free is to submit a grammar-tight, typo-free resume that looks like it could have been written by a professional.  If you submit a document with errors, you’re sure to give the wrong first impression—which you want to avoid at all costs.

Entry-level candidates often have to work harder than others on the corporate ladder to show they’re qualified for the job they want.  By incorporating these elements in your resume, you’re well on your way to doing just that.

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