How to Write a New Grad Resume That Gets Noticed

Soon-to-be college graduates are caught in the crosshairs, especially as COVID-19 continues to ravage the job market. As companies invest in more senior and experienced talent to navigate them through this time, fewer entry level roles are available — raising the competition for talent.

Luckily, this cohort of college graduates has the benefit of technology to serve them as they network, from LinkedIn to Facebook Groups. But what happens when they are asked for the resume? How does an applicant stand out? What do they need to say? How do they say it?

Since quarantine began, Albert’s List has been doing weekly resume reviews on Saturday night to our community of 43,000 job seekers, hiring managers, and working professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our resume reviews include professionals from senior level executives to fresh graduates, all of whom have felt the impact of COVID-19.

In the video clip below, we take apart an entry level resume submitted by Paula, a soon-to-be San Jose State University graduate. Like most new graduate resumes, she had stuck to the basics and didn’t tell a story.

Watch the run-through for yourself:

Key Lessons

• You have six seconds to get a recruiter’s attention. What you place in the top left-hand corner of your resume is crucial, especially when there are thousands to review for each position.
• Even if you aren’t able to show professional highlights, sharing your school projects and professional aspirations still counts. Self-awareness goes a long way, especially when you are young and new to the market.
• Your skills matter, even if you are new. Showcase your capabilities towards the top, as that information is captured in both the applicant tracking system (ATS) and one of the first things a hiring manager sees.
• Action verbs still matter. No matter how junior or senior you are, making an impact at work or in the classroom is still how you’ll be measured. Make sure the hiring manager you get presented to is fully aware of how you show up.

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