Your resume can make or break whether or not you land your next interview! I’ve seen so many resumes working with college grads, being on interview panels, and just helping my friends polish their own resumes. Through it all the same cardinal rule still holds true… “The same resume WILL NOT work for every job you apply to! I know that’s super annoying to hear because writing one resume can already seem so daunting, but if you follow my tips you will feel more prepared in your job search, trust me! Keep reading to see the three resumes I think every college grad should have!
“The Master Resume”
Think of this resume as your master copy! The Master Resume is the resume that includes anything and everything you’ve ever done! Don’t worry about the page number or the amount of bullet points you have; this resume is just for you. Feel free to include as much information as you want on this resume and have as many sections as you see fit.
Two major benefits of the Master Resume:
You have documentation of everything you’ve done (if you remember to update it on a regular basis).
You can easily copy and paste sections from this resume to create other ones.
It’s okay to have people you trust take a look at this resume and give any feedback. As you go along, you’ll be glad you have a place with all your awesome experiences on one document!
“The Ready, Set, Go Resume”
Think of this resume as your detailed business card! You always have it on you and it allows you to network with almost anyone. This resume should include: your qualifications, education, most recent job experiences, and most importantly it should highlight your transferable skills!
The Ready, Set, Go resume is great for those just starting out in their job hunt with little to no experience. I use this resume while networking, when I’m on-the-go, or when someone says, “Just send me your resume really quick!”.
Two major benefits of the Ready, Set, Go Resume:
You are always READY when someone ask for your resume.
It’s a great resume to use when you’re applying to a job that you don’t have much experience in.
Pro Tip: Keep this resume to 1 page and always have it in a pdf format saved on your phone so that you can send it to anyone at any time without the format changing!
“The Job-Specific Resume”
This resume should be created with the job description in mind! It can be created using your Master Resume and Ready, Set, Go Resume; BUT you should take the time to tailor it to every part of the job description. I use the Job-Specific resume when I really want the job, when I know I’m a strong candidate for the position, and when I have the time to carefully edit my resume.
Depending on your experiences or industry it might be over a page and that’s okay! I try to have this resume looked over by multiple people in the field. That way I can get their feedback on sentence format, overall look, and effectiveness.
Two major benefits of the Job-Specific Resume are:
It will make you much more competitive for the job you want!
Eventually this can become your ready, set, go resume for jobs within the same field (just be sure to make a few minor changes here and there)!
Pro Tip: It’s okay to take things off this resume that don’t relate to the job you are applying to. For instance, if you are applying for a job in PR, does your waitress job really need to be on there?
I hope this information was helpful for you and fee free to ask me any questions you may have in the comment section below. You may also find my blog post on How to Navigate the Job Hunt helpful as well! Click here to check it out! Make sure you subscribe to my blog so you never miss a post and follow me on Instagram (@thefabgrad) so you know what I’m up to!
Thanks for reading!
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