Five Tips to Boost Your Resume This Summer
By Madyson Fitzgerald
Summer is about halfway over, and the long, hot days are beginning to crawl by in a slow race to the school year. The days are much longer, and the nights are much shorter. As the summer creeps by — and you run out of shows to watch on Netflix — it may be a good idea to invest in your professional persona. This means strengthening your resume, refining your interviewing tools, and learning new practical skills.
In between glittering vacations and spontaneous adventures with your friends, take the time to refine your resume with these five tips!
Build New Skills
Whether it’s building your vocabulary or learning a new online technology, the workplace will appreciate seeing that you took the time to build a skill in your free time. Data mining, client relations, strategic thinking, project management and business acumen are some practical skills that businesses are looking for right now. Experience in Microsoft, Adobe, SAP, Python, HTML and Javascript is valuable.
You can find classes and certification programs through schools near you! Lots of community colleges and vocational schools offer summer classes in technical and practical skills. Some classes are also offered on online platforms like Code Academy. These classes usually last a few weeks rather than an entire semester, and cost much less!
Attend Workshops
Speaking of classes, there are numerous ways to gain experience through workshops. Workshops are interactive modules where students can learn through practical activities rather than lectures and presentations. Some workshops are held within larger conferences, but you can easily find virtual workshops through edX!
Through edX, you can attend virtual workshops to learn about everything from graphic design to data analytics. These courses are sponsored by hundreds of partnership colleges and universities. As of today, edX has 35 million users participating in free workshops. For an extra fee, you can even apply to receive a verified certificate of completion.
Find a Mentor
Employers will appreciate that you took the time to find someone to mentor you in your field. Whether it’s a professor you’ve had or an industry professional that left a mark on you, don’t forget to stay in touch and connect in ways that could help further your career.
Besides hiring interns and fellows, many companies host mentorship networks where employees can connect with college students. Mentors are good for fine-
tuning your skills by applying real-world logic. They also provide advice on managing workplace politics and professional networking. Finding a mentor can give you a leg up into the career you want!
Bolster Your Education
Most employers understand that as a college student, you may not have that much experience in your field. That’s why you should find clubs and organizations to help with your growth as a professional! There are a ton of greek organizations, chartered professional groups and campus clubs that welcome everyone from business management majors to digital art minors.
Research projects also show employers that you are dedicating time to reimagining how you can make a difference in your field. If you have the time to conduct research, make sure to publish your findings or present them at a symposium. Grades are important, but you can stand out by participating in extracurricular activities. Over the summer, reach out to some of the groups at your school to learn more!
Contact Your References
Many jobs will ask you to list references for them to contact if they want more information on you as a candidate for their position. Before listing a reference, be sure to get in contact via phone or email. Some employers may even give you permission to use them as a reference off the bat.
When asking people to be your reference, make sure to specify the job you are applying for and why the position would be right for you. If they are contacted, they will have an easier time discussing their experience with you. You can also use teachers, professors, club advisors and more as references for the job you want!
