Insider Secrets to a More Powerful Resume
A concise guide to selecting and tailoring relevant experience for jobs and internships.
Craft the Right Resume for Jobs and Internships
Before applying for internships or jobs, create a resume that does more than list every experience. Select details that are relevant to the role and present them clearly.
Step One: Getting Started
Illustrative example: Samantha, a fictional high school junior nearing the end of her school year, wants a summer internship in nursing. She sends resumes to several hospitals but receives no replies, so she asks her family for feedback.
Their response was unanimous: while she included her volunteer work at a local health clinic, most of her resume focused on unrelated experiences — like working as a cashier or participating in sports — which didn't show her nursing interest strongly enough.
Highlight What Matters
A resume does not need to list everything you've ever done. Prioritize details that connect to the role, while following any request for a complete history.
For instance, Samantha's cashier experience would have been valuable for a retail position, but it didn't strengthen her nursing application.
One Resume Isn't Enough
If you're applying to jobs or internships in multiple areas, plan to make more than one version of your resume. Start with a base draft, then tailor it for each role by adjusting the experiences and skills you highlight.
This gives each employer a version that emphasizes the information most relevant to the role.