Resume Tips I was Unaware of Until I Attended a Resume Workshop

Whether you’re in the beginning stages of creating a resume or constantly tweaking every detail; trying to make your resume perfect is stressful. This piece of paper seems to hold some sort of power over all of us. As a senior, I can honestly say that I have been working on my resume constantly for the past four years and do not see that behavior stopping anytime soon. I have attended multiple resume workshops throughout my college career and I am very thankful that Ohio State has given me the opportunity to attend such workshops and to learn so much about building my resume. None of the tips are entirely objective, but from my experiences and the workshops I have attended, these are what I would encourage people to change on their resume.

1. After sophomore year of college, high school information is basically a waste of space.

From what I have been told, future employers really do not care about any of your high school activities, awards, honors or GPA. If you did something incredible in high school that you really want to highlight by all means leave that information on there, but anything else isn’t necessary.

2.  “Relevant Coursework” is irrelevant.

The only course related information that you need on your resume is your major and your minor. I had previously listed all of the coursework I had taken and that was the first thing I was advised to remove from my resume.

3. Your GPA does not define you.

Don’t get me wrong, having a great GPA is something we all aspire to and something future employers love to see. With that being said, employers pay just as much, maybe even more attention to your work experience and involvement as they do your GPA. If your GPA isn’t something you’re necessarily proud of, you don’t even have to put it on your resume if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Highlight your accomplishments and what you are most proud of.

While this may be a hard pill to swallow, your resume is not the sole reason that you get the job you have always dreamed of. It should be look at as more of a helping hand, a way to get your foot in the door. There is not one “correct” way to format your resume, but hopefully some of these tips helped. As long as your resume is filled with positions and experiences that showcase your skills and your best qualities, you will land that job you have always dreamed of.

Kailyn Despotakis is a senior from Cincinnati, OH.  She is majoring in strategic communication and minoring in business. She is an account associate for the PRactice and is also involved in PRSSA and the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha. She don’t currently have any plans come graduation, but hopes that changes soon!