Internships, work experience, volunteer hours, education and extracurriculars – it seems like every time you blink the list of things you should have on your resume keeps growing. And while you’re obviously trying to keep you resume short and sweet (thanks to that helpful “one page” rule of thumb), you still want to fit as much information as possible into the space that you have.
That obviously includes your experience – jobs, internships, and volunteer work – and your education and extracurriculars – especially leadership positions. But if you have the room, it’s also a great idea to showcase any special skills that you have that relate to your field. Need a few ideas? Here are a few to get you started!
- Coding. I know this brings up the image of someone huddled in a basement in front of a computer all day, but these days knowing one or more programming language is an incredibly valuable skill! There are a lot of options, from HTML/CSS to Java to C++, and each has its own uses. When you’re ready to start, there are plenty of apps and websites out there to help jumpstart your learning!
- Photoshop. Knowing how to edit photos is a great tool to have in a lot of different fields, and having even a basic knowledge of Photoshop or some other photo-editing software looks great on a resume. Or, if movies are more your thing, video-editing is also a great option.
- Office software. Microsoft Office is the default here, but there are other, less-common software suites that you might be familiar with. It’s almost an expected skill at this point, but being able to point out on your resume that you’re proficient in Excel or PowerPoint looks great to employers in a lot of fields. Even if you think it’s not worth including on your resume, it’s definitely worth brushing up on.
- A second language. It’s no secret that being bilingual is a great asset to have when you’re looking for a job – in addition to all the benefits outside of the job hunt. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to pick up a second language, with the myriad of resources on the internet (Duolingo is a great place to start). So pick a language and start learning!
- Certifications in your field. This encompasses a variety of things, depending on what career you’re looking for. If you’re wanting to work in education, a CPR or other safety certification is a fantastic option, while certifications in marketing or graphic design are great options for creative fields. Even something that doesn’t seem to relate to your career interests can really help you stand out from other applicants.
Whether you’ve got too much material to fit on one page or not nearly enough, resumes are hard. Between work experience and education and contact info, it seems like there’s always more that you should be including. But showcasing your skills is a great way to boost your resume, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience!