As a freshman in college, you constantly hear people talk about having the perfect resume and being prepared to go into your first job interview or interview for an internship.  It can be overwhelming to think about this when you have the stress of other classes on top of the stress of finding an internship. I have four ways to make prepping your resume easier.

1. Tailor your resume to what the company is looking for. It is best to always change your resume for each position that you are applying for. Companies like to see that you have the skills that they need and you have experience in their field. I am personally a fashion merchandising major and when applying for jobs and internships, I include that I have retail experience and experience working in customer service because that is what many places are looking for.

2. Join clubs that will help you excel in your field. Building your resume with clubs that relate to what you want to do later in life is really helpful. If you are a business major, join a business related club that could help you further your knowledge in your field and make connections. It helps you look as you want to learn more about what is happening in your field and shows that you are involved in organizations on campus. Personally I am in my school’s Fashion Student Organization and we put on fashion shows to work to learn more about the fashion industry.

3. Have a professional read over it. Even when you think your resume is perfect, there is most likely always a way to improve. It is best to have someone like a trusted professor or a former boss look over your resume so they can help you improve it to be the best that it can be.

4. Build your online image and resume as well. Of course your resume is an important aspect of the hiring process, but in today’s world your LinkedIn is just as important. Many opportunities can come from creating a LinkedIn account and making connections with people who are alumni from your school or work in the field that you want to go into. By having these connections, you can talk to others who have worked at companies that you may want to work and learn about the environment of the workplace.

I believe that these tips are truly helpful for when you begin to prepare for your career. Whether you are interviewing for an internship or first job, you need to always give the best impression of yourself and let that employer know why they should choose you.

About the author:

Kylie Briggs is a freshman at Kent State University and Intern Queen ambassador.