Crafting a Standout Resume for the Modern Job Market 

What Students Will Learn: 

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1. Essential Components of a Strong Resume: 

• Understand the core sections of a resume: Contact Information, Objective, Skills, Experience, and more. 

• Learn how to write a targeted objective that aligns with the specific job you're applying for. 

• Master the art of showcasing leadership, high performance, and soft skills that make you stand out. 

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2. Tailoring Your Resume for ATS: 

• Learn how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work and how to optimize your resume for ATS algorithms. 

• Discover the importance of keywords and how to strategically include them without keyword stuffing. 

• Explore how to customize your resume for each job to increase your chances of getting noticed. 

 

3. ​Using Action Verbs to Enhance Your Resume: 

• Learn the importance of action verbs and how to use them to make your resume more compelling. 

• Receive a comprehensive list of powerful action verbs to boost your resume language. 

• Understand how to avoid overusing repetitive language and variety in your writing to keep your resume engaging. 

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4. Making Your Resume Stand Out Creatively: 

• Discuss creative strategies to stand out, such as using personal branding, portfolios, and even creating videos. 

• Learn when creativity can help—and when it can hurt—your chances of getting an interview. 

• Hands-on activity: Create a sample personalized video and learn how to make it private on YouTube to share with recruiters. 

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5. Highlighting Leadership and Competence: 

• Learn how to showcase your leadership skills even if you're not applying for a managerial role. 

• Discover how to write "extreme competence lines" in your resume to demonstrate your expertise. 

• Receive examples of leadership, high performance, and accomplishments that make your resume stand out. 

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6. Perfecting the Skills and Technologies Section: 

• Understand the importance of the Core Skills and Technologies section in your resume. 

• Learn how to effectively list technical skills and tools relevant to your industry. 

• Tailor your resume’s skills section for different job roles, ensuring it’s ATS-optimized and relevant. 

 

7. ​Font, Formatting, and Consistency: 

• Discuss the best fonts for professional resumes, such as Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica, and why fancy fonts should be avoided. 

• Learn how formatting consistency (capitalization, spacing) ensures professionalism and readability. 

• Explore the importance of saving and sending resumes in PDF format and why it’s the best option. 

 

8.​ Hobbies and Extra Sections on Your Resume: 

• Learn how to write a hobbies section that can act as a conversation starter and help build rapport with potential employers. 

• Discover how to include relevant hobbies and interests that actually enhance your resume. 

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9. When and How to Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume: 

• Understand the ideal timeline for following up after submitting your resume. 

• Learn how to craft a professional follow-up email that increases your chances of landing an interview. 

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10. Avoiding Embellishments and Lying on Your Resume: 

• Discuss the long-term risks of embellishing or lying on your resume. 

• Learn how to put your best foot forward honestly and strategically to compete against embellished resumes. 

• Discover how self-improvement and ongoing learning can help you compete without the need for exaggeration.