Life skills for the emerging adult: Writing
your resume
Your resume should be no longer than one page. I also encourage you to include a cover
letter. Feel free to use my examples or customize them to suit your style. Your resume
doesn’t have to look sparse—you have more skills and experience than you might realize. I
have researched exactly what employers look for in a strong resume and candidate. Good
luck out there, and thank you for purchasing; you won’t regret it.
Editable Version —> Resume Skeleton
NOBODY RESUMEMAN
PROFESSIONAL TITLE
YOUR CITY, ST | (123) 456-7890 |
Omit your street address to prevent others from using Google Maps to locate your home,
which could lead to judgments based on your neighborhood. Include only your city and
state. Similarly, avoid adding a profile picture; instead, provide your LinkedIn URL.
SKILLS
This part is the most challenging but can also be the most enjoyable. The goal here is to
maximize your skills and highlight what you uniquely bring to a job. Now is not the time to
be humble. Are you hardworking, or do you possess exceptional resilience? This is an
advanced version of those kindergarten worksheets about what makes you a good friend
—you need to elevate your vocabulary to match. Try these instead:
- Instead of saying: Details Oriented Try: Expert Attention to Details.
- Instead of saying: Communication skills Try: Excellent presentation skills
- Instead of saying: Hardworking Try: Outstanding resilience
- Instead of saying: Leadership skills Try: Proactive and coaching style
leadership
, - Instead of saying: Solutions oriented Try: Problem solving skills and analytical
thinking.
Additionally, never underestimate yourself; just because your skills are used for something
else doesn’t mean they can’t transfer over.
- Instead of saying: I can watch an entire TV show in a week Try: Excellent at
processing media.
- Instead of saying: Extensive fandom knowledge Try: Able to retain
information effectively.
- Instead of saying: K-Pop Fan that sells merch Try: Owner of a small scale Korean
media merchandising online business.
- Instead of saying: Knows the words to every Disney song Try: Remembers
obscure details when needed, and recalls melodies with ease.
- Instead of saying: I form abnormally strong attachments to fictional characters
Try: Has great skill in creating connections with individuals despite minimal
interaction.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Job | Company | Location Start date - End Date
●
When applying for a job, avoid listing all your previous positions. This approach is known
as a chronological resume. Instead, consider using a functional resume, which focuses on
skills and highlights only the jobs relevant to the position you are applying for. A functional
resume is especially beneficial if you have gaps in employment or have frequently changed
jobs. Additionally, it streamlines your resume and clearly demonstrates how and where
you fit within the company.
Just like skills, specify exactly what you accomplished and avoid being vague or overly
modest. If you increased revenue by even 5%, be sure to highlight it. A good employer will
recognize this and want you on their team.
Here are some experiences you might have gained, organized alphabetically by job.
Administrative Assistant | Company. Corp | Space, FF Start date - End Date
, ● Instead of saying: Skilled at sending emails Try: Sent 25-30 messages daily,
demonstrating mastery of written communication and strong attention to detail.
● Instead of saying: Assisted with events Try: Coordinated with fundraising staff
and external vendors to organize [#] of events annually for [organization or
purpose].
● Instead of saying: Helped things run smoothly Try: Scheduled and coordinating
virtual and in-person meetings, events, travel, and appointments for a (#)-person
department.
● Instead of saying: Excel Try: Organized and managed sensitive data input across
more than 12 Excel spreadsheets, retrieving and delivering information on a
quarterly basis.
● Instead of saying: Anticipated your boss wanted Try: Created a more efficient
workspace by proactively addressing department requirements.
Babysitter/ Nanny | Storks Inc. | Baby City, NH Start date - End Date
● Instead of saying: Watching kids Try: Lovingly cooking for, cleaning, playing
with, transporting, educating, and caring for children (various ages) for up to 10
hours a day, 5 days a week (or as needed).
● Instead of saying: Assisted with homework Try: Tutored and supporting
assignments in subjects such as math, science, reading, art, and history.
● Instead of saying: I worked with a child with special needs. Try: Fostered a safe
and loving environment. This role allowed me to develop skills in patience,
attention to detail, and de-escalation.
Barista | Luke’s Diner | Stars Hollow, CT Start date - End Date
● Instead of saying: Made drinks Try: Memorized over 50 menu items, and
created custom beverages for 70 to 200 customers per shift.
● Instead of saying: Took Orders Try: Happily fulfilled customer requests,
including hot and cold drinks, seasonal offerings, and more than 30 food items.
● Instead of saying: Dealt with a lot of customers Try: Provided friendly service
while maintaining composure during high-volume periods.
your resume
Your resume should be no longer than one page. I also encourage you to include a cover
letter. Feel free to use my examples or customize them to suit your style. Your resume
doesn’t have to look sparse—you have more skills and experience than you might realize. I
have researched exactly what employers look for in a strong resume and candidate. Good
luck out there, and thank you for purchasing; you won’t regret it.
Editable Version —> Resume Skeleton
NOBODY RESUMEMAN
PROFESSIONAL TITLE
YOUR CITY, ST | (123) 456-7890 |
Omit your street address to prevent others from using Google Maps to locate your home,
which could lead to judgments based on your neighborhood. Include only your city and
state. Similarly, avoid adding a profile picture; instead, provide your LinkedIn URL.
SKILLS
This part is the most challenging but can also be the most enjoyable. The goal here is to
maximize your skills and highlight what you uniquely bring to a job. Now is not the time to
be humble. Are you hardworking, or do you possess exceptional resilience? This is an
advanced version of those kindergarten worksheets about what makes you a good friend
—you need to elevate your vocabulary to match. Try these instead:
- Instead of saying: Details Oriented Try: Expert Attention to Details.
- Instead of saying: Communication skills Try: Excellent presentation skills
- Instead of saying: Hardworking Try: Outstanding resilience
- Instead of saying: Leadership skills Try: Proactive and coaching style
leadership
, - Instead of saying: Solutions oriented Try: Problem solving skills and analytical
thinking.
Additionally, never underestimate yourself; just because your skills are used for something
else doesn’t mean they can’t transfer over.
- Instead of saying: I can watch an entire TV show in a week Try: Excellent at
processing media.
- Instead of saying: Extensive fandom knowledge Try: Able to retain
information effectively.
- Instead of saying: K-Pop Fan that sells merch Try: Owner of a small scale Korean
media merchandising online business.
- Instead of saying: Knows the words to every Disney song Try: Remembers
obscure details when needed, and recalls melodies with ease.
- Instead of saying: I form abnormally strong attachments to fictional characters
Try: Has great skill in creating connections with individuals despite minimal
interaction.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Job | Company | Location Start date - End Date
●
When applying for a job, avoid listing all your previous positions. This approach is known
as a chronological resume. Instead, consider using a functional resume, which focuses on
skills and highlights only the jobs relevant to the position you are applying for. A functional
resume is especially beneficial if you have gaps in employment or have frequently changed
jobs. Additionally, it streamlines your resume and clearly demonstrates how and where
you fit within the company.
Just like skills, specify exactly what you accomplished and avoid being vague or overly
modest. If you increased revenue by even 5%, be sure to highlight it. A good employer will
recognize this and want you on their team.
Here are some experiences you might have gained, organized alphabetically by job.
Administrative Assistant | Company. Corp | Space, FF Start date - End Date
, ● Instead of saying: Skilled at sending emails Try: Sent 25-30 messages daily,
demonstrating mastery of written communication and strong attention to detail.
● Instead of saying: Assisted with events Try: Coordinated with fundraising staff
and external vendors to organize [#] of events annually for [organization or
purpose].
● Instead of saying: Helped things run smoothly Try: Scheduled and coordinating
virtual and in-person meetings, events, travel, and appointments for a (#)-person
department.
● Instead of saying: Excel Try: Organized and managed sensitive data input across
more than 12 Excel spreadsheets, retrieving and delivering information on a
quarterly basis.
● Instead of saying: Anticipated your boss wanted Try: Created a more efficient
workspace by proactively addressing department requirements.
Babysitter/ Nanny | Storks Inc. | Baby City, NH Start date - End Date
● Instead of saying: Watching kids Try: Lovingly cooking for, cleaning, playing
with, transporting, educating, and caring for children (various ages) for up to 10
hours a day, 5 days a week (or as needed).
● Instead of saying: Assisted with homework Try: Tutored and supporting
assignments in subjects such as math, science, reading, art, and history.
● Instead of saying: I worked with a child with special needs. Try: Fostered a safe
and loving environment. This role allowed me to develop skills in patience,
attention to detail, and de-escalation.
Barista | Luke’s Diner | Stars Hollow, CT Start date - End Date
● Instead of saying: Made drinks Try: Memorized over 50 menu items, and
created custom beverages for 70 to 200 customers per shift.
● Instead of saying: Took Orders Try: Happily fulfilled customer requests,
including hot and cold drinks, seasonal offerings, and more than 30 food items.
● Instead of saying: Dealt with a lot of customers Try: Provided friendly service
while maintaining composure during high-volume periods.
