How to Write a Resume When You are in College

The power resume: Resume writing for students in college

You are at the height of your academic career and suddenly, you realize that in order to complete your college degree, you have to find work. The cost of education is too high. 

One answer? Find a job, 

Maybe you have never written a resume?

Why not learn how to write a power resume?

What is a power resume?

A power resume is the kind of resume that will get immediate action in terms of employment. That power comes from within in you and is triggered by your need for employment and your desire to use the training you have received.

Your faith will be of help too. 

Pray, "Lord, fill me, refresh me and renew me with your Holy Spirit. Let your power flow through me as I write this resume. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

No one ever said that you could not use your faith, as a starting point for writing a resume

Consider these guidelines for writing a power resume:

Set possible goals and objectives with respect to potential employment.Gather your academic records.

Write a brief summary about what you have done academically.
Compile a list of certificates and awards you have received.
List your previous employment experiences with names and addresses of employers.
Summarize your employment experiences in chronological, or reverse chronological order.
Document your current interests.
Determine how your academic interests might be applicable to a new job.

When you have compiled this information, look at the job market and see what you might be able to do with respect to possible employment. Find something related to your area of academic interest in college.

Now that you have found a job posting or a number of possible jobs to apply for, begin to write your actual resume.

What is the most powerful statement in everything that you have compiled?

This should be the focus of your resume. It may be your ability to relate to seniors or children. Perhaps your strong point is your computer skills. Maybe you have taken technical or medical courses that might be an asset to an employer. Have you acquired office or business training? Perhaps your strong point is team leadership athletics. Maybe it is teaching artistic creativity. Remember to focus on your strengths and not on your weaknesses. Sometimes, you can turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Write your resume in four sections:

A cover letter will identify you and give your potential employer contact information so that he or she can reach you. Include an e-mail address and the URL for your web site. Add your employment objectives and a summary of what you have compiled. Revise it to make a more powerful statement, if necessary.

Show your employer why you would be an asset to his or her company and what your employment expectations are, at this time. Do you want full time or part time work? How many hours will you be available? What are you salary expectations?

The academic history section of your resume will include where you stand in your college training, what your plans are in relation to your studies, your areas of expertise and pertinent awards or certificates you have received.

Your work or employment experience will show your employer what you have done in the past, as well as your job skills or training, in other areas. These may or may not be applicable, but will reveal information about you.

Your interests will give your potential employer an idea of the person you are and how you relate to others. It will reveal what you do with your spare time. Perhaps your strong point is team athletics. Maybe it is in artistic creativity.

Write your resume simply, but correctly. Condense it to a minimum of 2-3 pages in length. Remove any information that is not appropriate for a professional resume. Save a copy of it, so that you can do revisions, at a later date.

Print it out on good quality paper and have someone proof read it for you.

Ask yourself if everything that you have included, is applicable to the job for which you are applying. If not, eliminate that which does not focus on the power in your resume.

E-mail or mail a copy of your resume to your prospective employer. Know that because you have refined your resume to focus on your strengths, rather than your weaknesses, your potential employer will recognize that immediately.

Writing a power resume is the first step for a college student seeking employment, but it is a good step to take up the ladder of life.