When it comes to landing a job, a well-crafted resume is an absolute must. But if you're putting together a resume for the very first time, the process can feel pretty daunting. I recently interviewed a consulting manager who's reviewed thousands of college resumes in recent years, I wanted to share some valuable insights they've gained along the way.

Resume Templates

First off, let's talk templates. they're a huge advocate for the resume templates from UPenn and Harvard. Those templates have a layout that recruiters and hiring managers are already familiar with, which makes it a breeze for them to quickly find the important stuff. Sticking with a tried-and-true format is always a smart move. CVGist (an AI tool that quickly generates resumes) implements these templates in many unique styles.

Resume Length

Now, let's address the length. Keep it to a single page, unless you're in the rare position of having an extensive list of publications. Remember, your resume isn't meant to be an autobiography – it's your chance to showcase exactly why you'd be an awesome fit for the role you're after. Just to give you some perspective, I've been in the workforce for close to 20 years, and even my resume is only 2 pages long.

Resume Writing effort

Next up, let's discuss the effort you should put in. Back in my senior year, I made the mistake of hastily throwing my resume together without much consideration. Luckily, a close friend of mine took the time to give me some great feedback, and I ended up investing around 25 hours fine-tuning and perfecting the language. Now, I'm not saying you need to dedicate quite that much time, but I do recommend giving your resume the attention it warrants.

When it comes to the actual content, every single detail on your resume should serve a specific purpose. Ask yourself, how does this information reinforce the idea that I'm qualified for this position? Be prepared to speak to anything you include – if you mention a project or experience, anticipate being asked to discuss it in some depth.

Important: Job Tailoring

Not tailoring your resume to the job (aka putting in effort) is such a killer. CVGist.com allows paid users to tailor AI generated resumes to the desired target job.

Don't overlook typos

One crucial aspect that's easy to overlook? Typos. When you've been looking at the same document for hours on end, it's incredibly easy to miss small details. Have a friend or family member review your resume meticulously to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes. One or two typos aren't the end of the world, but if I start to notice a pattern, it definitely raises some red flags for me. A tip one of my high school English teachers gave me for catching typos and grammatical errors is to read the sentence backwards, starting at the punctuation. Then you're less likely to glaze over mistakes that your brain automatically fixes since the sentence doesn't make sense from reading word by word.

No Experience?

If you're just kickstarting your career, don't sweat it if your resume isn't overflowing with previous jobs. Hiring managers understand that. Instead, focus on featuring other elements that illustrate why you'd be an excellent addition to their team. This could include personal projects, extracurricular activities, open source contributions, or volunteer experiences. CVGist.com is a great option for first-time resumes, because it uses a resume writing strategy that works for first-time resume writers, as well as seasoned professionals.

Writing Skills on your Resume

Lastly, a small but mighty tip for job seekers across all industries: Hiring managers always appreciate when candidates highlight their relevant skills and expertise, either at the beginning or end of their resume. For those in technical fields, this might mean listing out proficiency in specific software and programming languages. Similarly, those in marketing could emphasize their experience with social media platforms, data analysis tools, or content creation software. If you're in a design-related field, you might showcase your mastery of design programs, 3D modeling software, or video editing tools. No matter what industry you're in, clearly showcasing your relevant skills is a fantastic way to quickly catch the eye of potential employers and demonstrate the value you could bring to their team. CVGist excels at writing skills as well.