Writing a Professional Resume with Limited Work Experience

By PrideStaff

All job seekers are trying to do the same thing when it comes to writing a resume: showcase as much relevant experience as possible.

Yet for many professionals—particularly those right out of college, or anyone who has worked for one employer for an extended period of time—writing a resume is a challenge. When you only have one or two lines to include, your resume can look embarrassingly brief.

But don’t despair. Here are a few great ways to enhance your resume and make the most out of your limited experiences.

Highlight Your Qualifications.
When you have limited work experience, it’s extremely important to place your qualifications front and center on your resume. Give a detailed account of your work experience and your specific responsibilities in each position. Discuss the skills you acquired and how you contributed to the organization through your individual role. Even if you’ve only had one or two positions in the past, spend some time thinking about the skills and knowledge that were required to fulfill that role and be sure to include this in your resume.

Make Your Educational Background Shine.
If you’re fresh out of college and feeling as though your resume is lacking, don’t forget that you already have a highly valuable asset to play up: your educational experience. Many young professionals neglect to discuss the relevant skills that they gained through their years in school when they write their first resume. Don’t hesitate to include a section that lists your school, major and degree, extracurricular experiences and also your skills and capabilities.

Write a Stellar Cover Letter.
Lastly, if you feel your resume lacks variety, remember that you can always use your cover letter to make a strong case for yourself. While the resume is usually the #1 place that hiring managers look when evaluating prospective candidates, the cover letter is a very close second and can distinguish you from other qualified applicants. A concise, compelling cover letter can go a long way in terms of increasing your overall chances of scoring an interview. Include bullet points to list accomplishments that apply specifically to the position.  Use numbers and statistics to quantify relevant achievements. The cover letter is an opportunity to sell yourself, your abilities and your potential to add value to the company.

Like this article?  See more employment tips from PrideStaff here.