Building a Resume as a Student: Complete Guidance

by Tess Miller

Joined Oct 2021
Published Books 1

If you don’t want to wait to finish your studies and get work experience as soon as possible, you need a student resume. Writing a CV can seem like a confusing task, especially if you have never done one before. However, in this guide, we will show you step by step everything you need to know to write a student resume that will get you your first job.

Throughout the article, we will review all the sections that should appear in a student’s resume and provide you with practical examples that you can use as inspiration for writing your own.

1. Start with a Personal Description

First impressions are valuable. Especially in the working world, and student resumes are no exception.

The opening paragraph of your student CV is of great importance because it will be the first thing the recruiter will stop to read. Here you should write a personal description of 4 or 5 sentences that clearly explains three points:

Who are you?
What can you offer to the company?
What are your career goals?

We know that you probably feel that, being a student, you are not yet experienced enough to catch a recruiter’s attention. Still, the truth is that if you highlight your skills and manage to demonstrate that your goals are aligned with those of the company, it will be effortless for the human resources staff to call you for an interview.

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2. Prioritize your Education

When writing a basic resume, the education section does not occupy a predominant place on the page. However, since we are writing a student CV, the educational background is more relevant than the professional experience.

This section is put under the experience section, but we will place it under the personal description in this case. This way, you can start with your strongest letter.

The education part of any resume should include 3 foremost points:

Name of degree
Name of an academic institution
Year of commencement and graduation

However, since you are still in school, you should replace the year of graduation with the expected graduation date. Also, since your academic background carries more weight in a student’s resume, you can add exciting information such as your grade point average (if it is perfeсt) or any relevant student achievements.

3. Try Adding Previous Experience

When you are a student, it is difficult for you to have any previous employment. However, you don’t need to have worked in a large corporation or an international company to complete this section.

That summer job as a waiter or clerk in the family business can be extremely useful in this section. Similarly, if you have done a volunteer program at a nursing home or non-profit organization, it is perfect to complement your experience. Or, if you have done freelance work, don’t hesitate to include it on your student resume.

These are the elements you should add:

Name of position
Name of the company
A period in which you worked
Between 3 and 7 points represent your primary duties and achievements.

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4. Highlight Your Most Outstanding Skills

There are a large number of examples of skills and aptitudes for your student resume. However, the key to making a resume that will win the recruiter’s approval is to choose the skills that fit the position you are interested in.

Knowing how to do 2D illustrations will be of little use if you apply for a job as an administrative assistant. When writing this section of your student resume, the best thing to do is to read the job description carefully and identify the skills the company is requesting. It will guide you to make a list that fits the company’s expectations and your capabilities.

Choose 6 to 7 skills and include them within your student CV. For example:

Skills

Microsoft Excel
Time management
Agenda management
Travel planning
Customer service
Oral and written communication

You must include a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical aptitudes that demonstrate precise knowledge (handling a particular software or a specialized process such as the elaboration of blueprints). Soft skills are personal resume skills that demonstrate a candidate’s character and capacity to relate to others (such as leadership or empathy).

Adding both types will give your student resume even more strength and help convince the recruiter that you are what they are looking for.

5. Add Additional Sections to Your Student Resume

Now you know the basics about how to create a student CV. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, adding an extra section or two may be just what you need.

Including other interesting information goes a long way in letting people know more about you and your professional interests.

There are many options you can share in this section, but here are some examples:

Languages
Additional courses
Awards and recognitions
Certificates
Volunteer work
Availability
Driver’s license

An excellent additional section can be the difference between a “yes” and a “no,” so choose carefully the information that can give more support to your application.

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6. Add a Cover Letter

You already have your student resume, but do you want to persuade the recruiter to hire you? Then learn how to write a cover letter and send it along with your resume.

A cover letter is handy to let you know everything that is not so clear in a resume. It helps to show properly your character and your motivations for wanting to join the company. It should be well written and shouldn’t contain grammar mistakes. In preparing a cover letter, you can also use papers writers help.

Include your contact information and the company’s contact information at the beginning.
Start your letter with a paragraph that engages the recruiter.
Describe why you are the best applicant for the job.
Mention why you want to join the company.
Invite the recruiter to interview you.

Say goodbye and sign your student cover letter.

7. Make your Student Resume Look its Best

There is no doubt that the content of your student resume is the start of your application. However, to make the recruiter want to read it, you’ll need to give it an elegant and professional format.

Here are some guidelines to follow for your student CV:

Use an A4 sheet of paper.
Set margins of 2.5 centimeters.
Use a unique and professional resume font.
Add your resume contact information at the top. It should include name, email, and phone number and may contain links to portfolio or social media profiles.
Save your resume in PDF (unless the company forbids it), as it will allow you to keep the original design.

Also, choose a student resume template that is simple and easy to read. A very quirky design will only distract the recruiter from the relevant information. And finally, remember that honesty is key. You may be tempted to exaggerate particular accomplishments to make your student resume look more impressive, but that will only lose points with the recruiter. It’s best to avoid any white lies and show your true strengths.