When it comes to creating a resume, one of the most important aspects is effectively conveying your work experience, volunteer work, projects, and other relevant activities to potential employers. Crafting detailed yet concise descriptions of your employment history and volunteer experience is crucial in giving employers a clear understanding of your skills, accomplishments, and qualifications for the position you are applying for.
In order to help you write compelling and informative descriptions, here are some tips to consider:
Start each description with the name of the organization, location, dates of employment, and job title in a reverse chronological order, with the most recent experience first.
Use concise phrases with strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities. Focus on highlighting your skills and qualities that are relevant to the industry you work in, and include industry-specific keywords to demonstrate your compatibility with the job.
Include a variety of action verbs to avoid repetitive language. Use present tense for current activities and past tense for previous activities.
Avoid using personal pronouns like “I,” and “the,” as well as prepositions, in your descriptions. Focus on quantifying your achievements and responsibilities using numerical data, monetary values, and percentages whenever possible.
Highlight your individual contributions and accomplishments rather than summarizing the overall responsibilities of the organization you worked for.
Include only the most important and relevant details in your descriptions to effectively showcase your skills and expertise.
For example:
Summer 20XX-20XX: Assistant Manager/Head Lifeguard at The Swim Club, Anywhere, Pennsylvania
Resolved customer issues and ensured visitor safety
Supervised and trained six lifeguards on club rules and regulations
Utilized Excel to schedule lifeguards, private swim lessons, and pool activities
Assisted club manager in overall operations
For more inspiration on how to effectively market your skills and experiences, review sample resumes provided by Steinbright Career Development Center.
Promoting Your International Experience
Studying, working, and volunteering in a foreign country can enhance a variety of skills, including:
Adaptability to new environments, cultures, languages, and customs
Communication skills in verbal and written formats, including non-verbal communication
Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities when faced with challenges in unfamiliar settings
Other skills you may have developed while abroad include:
Independence
Time management
Financial management
Initiative and confidence
Global perspective and cultural competency
Networking abilities
Using verbs like adapted, awarded, collaborated, implemented, improved, managed, organized, practiced, realized, represented, shared, visited, and more can help you effectively communicate these skills on your resume.
In conclusion, effectively describing your work experience and international exposure on your resume can greatly enhance your chances of landing your desired job. By following these tips and examples, you can create impactful descriptions that showcase your skills, accomplishments, and potential to prospective employers. Remember to focus on highlighting your individual contributions and accomplishments, quantify your achievements whenever possible, and use strong verbs to convey your expertise effectively.