Resume Writing
Reader Jan Brannen writes:
“I just got out finished college and am having trouble finding work in the TV industry. I’m trying to put a resume together and I’m not sure how it looks. I got straight A’s in both high school and college, but my work experience is basically limited to having a summer job at Starbucks. Should I put my Starbucks experience? I’m putting my college experience, but what about high school? Thanks.”
A resume is like an advertisement for you. You should design your resume similarly to how one might market a product. Since each person is unique, each resume should be tailored to your specific strengths.
Good grades are definitely a boost to your resume, but I found that what’s more impressive to employers are honors bestowed for those grades. Did you receive a Cum Laude distinction on your diploma? If so, write be sure to mention it. High school grades are not as important. I include my high school experience on my resume because I did a lot of film/tv stuff in high school for which I received awards and honors, but if you just had a regular high school experience, then I’d say include nothing more than your graduation year and school name and location.
As for Starbucks, it depends. In Jan’s case, I would include it, but be sure to have bullet points under it with “power words” such as “Assisted customers achieve the most satisfying experience possible.” Be sure to include anything such as equipment used or learned on the job like computer software. For someone who has more work experience than Jan, I wouldn’t put Starbucks on my resume if I was looking for a job in the TV industry.
Thanks for the question, Jan, and good luck!