{"id":51701,"date":"2022-01-24T10:13:28","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T16:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=51701"},"modified":"2022-01-24T10:13:28","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T16:13:28","slug":"10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students\/","title":{"rendered":"10 R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Tips for Non-Traditional Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

With more and more adults going back to school to finish their degree, so too are many looking to change or advance in their careers. Are you one among the wave of students looking to advance in their career? Congratulations! <\/span>Earning your bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span><\/a> is an excellent first step. The next one is to create a strong new r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to show future employers all that your past work and current education will have developed you into a strong candidate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our team at Abound collaborated with <\/span>Erin Lewis<\/b><\/a>, Assistant Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at <\/span>Clarion University of Pennsylvania<\/b><\/a>, to help you craft and utilize an interview-ready r\u00e9sum\u00e9.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Forget about \u201ctraditional\u201d guidelines\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve scoured the internet for r\u00e9sum\u00e9 tips, you\u2019ve probably already encountered such advice as \u2018keep it to one page\u2019 or \u2018list your education first.\u2019 These guidelines are fine enough as a basic foundation, but they are not hard-and-fast rules that you need to adhere to. \u201cTraditional guidelines such as page length and content order are intended to be guides, and don\u2019t apply to everyone in every situation,\u201d says <\/span>Lewis<\/b>. \u201c[I]t is more important to craft a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 that includes keywords and requirements for the position, rather than following a set format.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Every employer is familiar with the standard r\u00e9sum\u00e9 template; they\u2019ve read countless cookie-cutter variations of it time and time again. You won\u2019t get any bonus points for sticking entirely to the basics. \u201cEach person is different, and you should focus on crafting a document that is specific to you and your experiences.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Keep it updated\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you progress through your degree, it\u2019s always wise to keep your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 fresh and updated. <\/span>Erin Lewis<\/b> suggests revisiting your document at the end of every semester; your recent projects and accomplishments will be at the top of your mind, and you save yourself from doing a huge overhaul of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 at the last minute. She also adds that, \u201cif you use the time to be reflective on your collegiate experiences and all you\u2019ve accomplished, [revising your r\u00e9sum\u00e9] can be a time of great pride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Semesters fly by pretty quickly, and you might not always feel that you have much to change. That\u2019s okay! It is nevertheless worthwhile to reflect. Remember as well that you can always visit your career services office to maximize the resources available to you. \u201cCollege career centers are filled with experts who can help you reach your career goals.\u201d What\u2019s more, going in for help on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is \u201coften a catalyst to dynamic conversations that may help guide you towards other helpful services or experiences.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Tailor to each prospective job description<\/span><\/h3>\n

You might think your past experience and current educational pursuits are enough to get you noticed by a recruiter, but that\u2019s not always the case. Especially in specialized career fields, employers want to ensure that the person they hire has <\/span>relevant<\/span><\/i> experience, not just experience in general. One strategy that companies use to narrow down their applicant pool is to implement Applicant Tracking Systems, AI-driven software that \u2018weeds out\u2019 unqualified applicants through keyword searches and other automated vetting. If you aren\u2019t tailoring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 (and cover letter) to the specific job, you might not even make it to the eyes of a human recruiter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Show each potential employer that you care about the position. \u201cCarefully review each job or internship posting for keywords such as skills, experiences, or requirements. Go through your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 looking for these keywords and finding ways in which to include them strategically in your document.\u201d This doesn\u2019t mean that you should try to trick the system; rather, it just means that you\u2019re paying attention to how your experience aligns with what each position is asking for.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Address any gaps or discrepancies\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hey, life happens, and sometimes the things that take priority aren\u2019t what can be measured by profit or promotions. That\u2019s okay! Did you take some years off of work or school to raise your family? Did you need to take some time away from school to work a part-time job? It\u2019s all valid. Even if you\u2019re not comfortable sharing the exact circumstances, you can keep it vague. Just know that recruiters will want to know something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have gaps in your experiences, it is always better to be proactive rather than reactive,\u201d says <\/span>Lewis<\/b>. \u201cConsider addressing this in your application letter or using class projects to fill the gaps. You could also focus on your community involvement if you took extensive time off work. If you were part of a community group and actively engaged, consider calling that career-related experience and focus on the skills you developed or enhanced during that time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

5. List all of your experience<\/span><\/h3>\n

You\u2019d be surprised at how much of your life can transfer to your success as an employee. Do you volunteer with your church or participate in a <\/span>student organization<\/span><\/a>? Have you earned any achievements or awards? Include industry honors, company honors, and significant work milestones, all of which demonstrate that you\u2019re an achiever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOftentimes,\u201d says <\/span>Lewis<\/b>, \u201cwe undervalue our life experiences. Take time to be reflective of all you\u2019ve accomplished on your journey. Inventory your experiences and make a few notes about how this experience helped you to achieve a goal, enhance a skill, or challenged you in some way.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be discouraged if you can\u2019t think of achievements on the spot. Your school\u2019s career services office is available to help you brainstorm your past experiences and communicate them in a marketable way for employers.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Think outside the box: soft skills and transferable skills\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Employers aren\u2019t just looking for candidates who have industry-specific skills and knowledge; they want employees with strong soft skills, or universally valued skills that make for a good worker in all professions. Communication skills, the ability to work in a team, leadership and work ethic\u2014all of these attributes are key in every workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you worked a part-time job while also raising a family or going to school? Congrats, you\u2019re a great multi-tasker. Have you worked in the service industry? Great, you probably have unparalleled patience and problem solving skills. Think creatively about your experience, and don\u2019t underestimate how many transferable skills you have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Get professional help\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned, the career services office at your institution is an incredible resource. Navigating the application and interview process is what they do every day. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to get a clear idea of how you can strategize and achieve your career goals. It\u2019s their job to understand every student\u2019s unique needs and how to set them up for success, so take advantage!<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Do a mock interview<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can never be over-prepared to make a good first impression. Job interviews are your opportunity to show employers who you are and bring your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to life. The way you conduct yourself and respond to challenging questions can make or break your chances at getting hired, so it\u2019s always a good idea to schedule a mock interview with someone from your career services office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Erin Lewis<\/b> stresses that you should do at least one mock interview to practice answering common interview questions. \u201cThis helps you to have an understanding of what to expect and how to elaborate on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 story.\u201d With your career counselor\u2019s help, you will be able to handle with grace whatever is thrown at you, all while learning how to more clearly articulate more details that you might have left out of the r\u00e9sum\u00e9 itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Hand it out at career fairs\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

You never know when you\u2019ll find an opportunity to network with a potential employer. Your school might even host a career fair specifically designed for <\/span>non-traditional students<\/span><\/a>! To take advantage of these golden opportunities, bring freshly updated copies of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to hand out to the employers you meet. Keep in mind that other students will be doing the same, so take time to think about how you can stand out in person, not just on paper. Prepare a 30-second elevator pitch to let them know what your goals are, what skills you have, and who you are as a person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Be patient<\/span><\/h3>\n

Landing a fulfilling career takes patience and persistence, so don\u2019t get discouraged through all of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 work and job seeking. Just by pursuing your bachelor\u2019s degree, you\u2019re already taking a huge step in the right direction!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most valuable things you can do to make sure your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is the strongest it can be is to ask a career center professional for help. From finding out what your goals are to making the leap and applying for a job, the staff at your institution are there to help you every step of the way. It As Ms. Lewis suggests, this entire process \u201cis not just about finding a job; it is about finding a career that is fulfilling. Be reflective of your goals. Knowing what you value and what you find important will help navigate the complexities of the job search by narrowing down your options. There is no \u2018right\u2019 career, there is only what is right for you. Working with a career center professional on this process can help take out some of the mystery. They are trained at asking you questions and helping you understand the process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For more about Clarion University and its professional preparation, go to its <\/span>Abound: Finish College profile<\/b><\/a> or <\/span>clarion.edu<\/b><\/a>. And for more advice on completing your degree and landing a post-graduate career, check out our <\/span>Advice section for non-traditional students<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Erin Lewis from Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers her expert advice to help you craft and utilize an interview-ready r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":51703,"template":"","class_list":["post-51701","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-career-outlook","abound_advice_topics-college-search","abound_advice_topics-thinking-about-finishing-college"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Tips for Non-Traditional Students - Abound: Finish College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Erin Lewis from Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers her expert advice to help you craft and utilize an interview-ready r\u00e9sum\u00e9.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Tips for Non-Traditional Students\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Erin Lewis from Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers her expert advice to help you craft and utilize an interview-ready r\u00e9sum\u00e9.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Abound: Finish College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AboundDegrees\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/non-traditional-resume-.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1060\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AboundDegrees\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/abound.college\\\/finishcollege\\\/advice\\\/10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/abound.college\\\/finishcollege\\\/advice\\\/10-resume-tips-for-non-traditional-students\\\/\",\"name\":\"10 R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Tips for Non-Traditional Students - 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