Curricula and Learning Links - Careers
Ways to Build Your Resume
Employers and colleges want to see a resume that shows focus, advancement, achievement, and service. The building of a resume begins during the high school years! Here are some areas that every student should work on building:
- Activities -- Participation in clubs and organizations of all kinds shows your interest in trying new things and your willingness to participate. Specialty clubs based on an interest such as stamp collecting, chess, science, literature, and history are examples.
- Sports -- Participation in sports shows your ability to work as a team. Lettering shows your follow-through and abilities.
- Honor Societies -- Honor societies highlight your academic achievements.
- Church activities -- Usually church activities show that you are well-grounded in faith. Unfortunately, in today's time, you have to consider whether to put your faith-based activities on your resume due to potential discrimination against you. (Sad, but true.)
- Leadership Programs -- Programs such as Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts look good on a resume, particularly if you stay in them for a number of years. The progression of levels and increasing responsibility show you to be a person who can stick with a job and who can accept leadership.
- Performing Arts -- If you play an instrument, sing, or act, make sure to do some performances that can be listed on your resume. These show your courage in being in front of crowds.
- Grades and test scores -- Your grades and the scores you make on standardized tests (ACT/SAT) play a huge part in the decision process for scholarships and college admission. Study the preparation books for the SAT and ACT tests before taking them, and put your best effort into getting good grades.
- Paying Job -- Having work experience on your resume shows that you are dependable and able to do a job.
Passion
When I was hiring people, I would always look for the person who had a passion. It did not matter what the passion was for -- cars, running, sailing, charity work... A person with passion is a person who is motivated. He can latch on to something and pursue the interest without losing focus. He can see a goal and go after it. He can speak with enthusiasm and excitement. If the person had passion, I knew I could find some position where he would develop passion in the company, and he would be a good employee. So, find your passion and pursue it! This will do amazing things for your life -- both at home and at work!
Awards and Contests
Look around for organizations that offer awards, and see if you can qualify. For example, many libraries and historic organizations like the DAR and SAR have essay and poster contests yearly. Frequently, these contests have few entries, and your chances of winning are good even if art and writing aren't your best subjects! Talent shows, running races for charity, and public speaking contests are additional places to explore.
The best place to look for contests is your local newspaper. However, another place is the Ultimate Guide to Student Contests database. Ask your public librarians and the adults you know to let you know of any contests they hear of.
Two national awards are available to individuals. The first, the President's Volunteer Service Award, rewards students and adults for their volunteer hours. Many organizations have the capability to input hours for individuals and make the award, so be sure to ask the group you are volunteering for. Another award, The Congressional Award, is "America's award for youth who set and achieve challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development, and citizenship." Extensive record keeping and an adult mentor are required.
Parting Words
Maybe you are ending your high school years and don't have anything mentioned above on your resume. It's not too late! Call your local Salvation Army, Red Cross, or public library and volunteer. Find your passion, and start pursuing it more vigorously. It may turn into a job! Check into the other ideas listed, and do the best you can to get as much on your resume as is possible during the remaining time.
