Tips help students create attention-getting resumes

Submitted by: Larry Viterna, USA Funds Services
866-497-USAF (866-497-8723), ext. 0077

As the Class of 2002 prepares to enter today's tight job market, tips from Life Skills®, a training program aimed at preventing education-loan default, can help them create resumes that shine. According to Life Skills, students should view resumes as a tool that helps them get an interview with a prospective employer, keeping in mind that most employers spend only about 15-20 seconds reviewing each resume. The course offers students the following guidelines for making the most of a resume:

• Target your resume to the type of job you are seeking.
• Keep your resume to one page. The information you provide should be clear and concise.
• Proofread your resume carefully. Typos and grammatical errors usually are the first thing an employer notices and can keep you from getting a job.
• Formatting is important. White space is good; resumes should not look too busy or crowded.
• Do not misrepresent your credentials or work experience. Despite what you may have heard, most employers are well aware of strategies for resume "padding" (e.g., referring to your job as a server in a restaurant as a "customer-relations specialist").
• When it comes to resumes, creativity is NOT a good thing. Follow standard guidelines for format.

More information about creating resumes - as well as information about financial aid, completing school on time, succeeding in school and after graduation, and repaying education loans - is available through Life Skills. Contact Carol Buchli, toll-free at 866-497-USAF (866-497-8723), ext. 7877, or by e-mail at cbuchli@usafunds.org.