Resume Writing: A Guide for Undergrads
Creating an impactful resume requires understanding both content and presentation. Here's your comprehensive guide to crafting a resume that stands out.
Format For Your Field
Your industry should guide your formatting choices:
Business, Engineering, and Data Science: Stick to traditional single-column layouts. This isn't just convention – it's what hiring managers expect and what applicant tracking systems process best. (See examples and templates linked below)
Design and Marketing: You have creative freedom to showcase your skills through innovative layouts.
International Students Targeting US Companies: Mirror the style of top American university students to demonstrate cultural awareness and make your qualifications easily comparable.
Master the Fundamentals
Start with a strong header:
Place your name in bold at the top
Include personal email (essential), optional school email and phone number
Add your LinkedIn as a link titled LinkedIn, as well as other relevant links including GitHub and personal website (if applicable)
The Power of Strategic Bolding
Selective bolding is one of your most powerful tools. Most recruiters spend just seconds scanning each resume, so guide their eyes to what matters:
Bold key metrics: "Increased user engagement by 40%"
Highlight leadership roles: "Team Lead for 5-person project"
Emphasize technical skills: "Built dashboard using Python and SQL"
But remember: if everything is bold, nothing stands out. Be selective.
Keywords are King
In today's AI-driven recruitment world, keywords matter more than ever:
Study the job description carefully and mirror its language
Include industry-standard technical terms
Highlight tools and technologies by name
Tailor for Each Application:
Adjust relevant coursework: Select courses that match the job requirements. Applying to a fintech startup? Feature your "Financial Markets" and "Python Programming" courses. Going for consulting? Highlight "Strategy" and "Data Analysis" instead.
Consider adding a brief objective statement: Consider adding a single sentence objective statement right under your header. Keep it specific to the role you want.
Modify interests to align with the role: Your interests can create unexpected connections with recruiters. Customize this section to align with each company — mention relevant side projects, include industry-specific hobbies, etc.
Customize and Polish
Stick to 4-5 powerful bullet points per experience
Use action verbs consistently
Use AI tools to make your writing clear and concise
Check requested file formats (docx vs. pdf)
Always submit resumes with clear naming. Be sure to follow instructions. The default file name should be FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
Remember, your resume isn't just a document – it's a marketing tool. Strategic use of bolding and keywords can make the difference between getting noticed and getting lost in the pile. Pay attention to these details while maintaining professional polish, and you'll create a resume that speaks directly to both AI screening tools and human recruiters.
Relevant Resume Resources (for Undergrads):
