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For someone with limited work experience, creating a resume can be challenging. After all, isn’t the job history section the most important part of the document? If you’re unsure how to create a resume that grabs an employer’s attention because you haven’t had many jobs, don’t worry. There are things you can do to stand out as a student or recent graduate.
A great item to add to your resume is a scholarship or scholarships that you have won. The scholarship application process is similar to the job application process. You fill out an application, submit an essay or personal statement, and may get interviewed by a committee. Successfully winning scholarships is something that you can mention on your resume until you can build relevant job experience to replace it.
So, how do you add scholarships to your resume? This short guide sums it up for you. We’ll teach you how to create a resume that explains your educational background and demonstrates that you’re a perfect fit for the job.
Considering the limited work experience that you have, your college education takes priority on your resume. It’s something that people mention on resumes even with lengthy work histories. Your education lays the foundation for you to be able to perform tasks at the job you’re applying for with great ease. As you describe your education on your resume, include your GPA, you major or intended major, and if you graduated with honors.
This section is where you’ll include scholarships, awards, and achievements. What you’re trying to demonstrate to an employer is how dependable and hardworking you are academically and professionally. You’re also letting a company know some of the soft skills that you possess, such as communication, creativity, time management, and adaptability. Letting a potential employer see how you’ve excelled at school gives them a glimpse of what you’re capable of doing at your first job.
When including a scholarship on a resume, you’ll want to list the following information: The name of the scholarship, the organization that awarded it, and the dollar amount. If the scholarship was awarded based on an essay, audition or project, be sure to mention that too.
You want to have at least three reliable references to add to your resume. That way, if an employer wants to learn more about you and your academic pursuits, they’ll be able to find out. In addition, ask a professor or even the scholarship committee awarding your scholarship to write letters of recommendation that you can include with your resume. This will not only save an employer time but also make learning more about you easier.
By emphasizing your strengths despite having limited work experience, you can appeal to companies that are willing to reward new talent by giving them their first jobs. In addition, being awarded scholarships shows that you know how to follow directions, meet deadlines, and stand out from the crowd based on your achievements. It goes to show that scholarships are so much more than just free money for college. Try a free scholarship search today and get matched instantly to scholarship opportunities that you qualify for and can win!