Résumé Preparation Tips
Use the template we have provided or find another professional résumé form. Your parents, family friends, teachers or school counselor might have some suggestions.
Make a list or outline to help you organize information. Include all your appropriate activities from grades 5-8. You can determine the best language to use after you have completed your list/outline.
Take the time to format your résumé. You should use a plain font, bold headings, and leave adequate white space. Keep it simple and easy to read.
Begin each category with the most current information. Be consistent; either select the year/years or the grade/grades of your involvement. If you have no information to include under a specific category, omit that category heading.
Carefully proofread each draft of your résumé. Try to catch your typos. Be aware of proper grammar.
Have your parent review the résumé several times.
Keep your résumé up-to-date and save it to a résumé file on your personal computer. You also need to email a copy to your parents so they can review it. This is also for back-up security.
Always tell the truth.
Add new items to the appropriate categories or sections of your résumé as they happen.
You may also want to add an appropriate professional-looking photo of yourself (many students like to use their Bar or Bat Mitzvah photo) with your name in bold letters on the first page of your résumé. Often it is placed in the upper left corner of the page, however, you can decide where it looks best with the particular template you are using. Schools are looking at your résumé to get a sense of your interests, character, skills, scholarship, commitment to community service, and personality. If you need to include a description of a particular activity or achievement, use action verbs such as “organized, led, se rved, played, trained, created, ” etc.
Consider using heavier weight white or cream paper to print copies of your résumé.
The “Personal Statement” category, the final section of your résumé, is extremely important. This paragraph should include approximately 10 sentences and is the place to highlight a special aspect of your personality.
“What makes you, YOU!” Your voice needs to shine through, not anyone else’s. Think about the question, “What makes me unique, or at least different from, any other student applicant?” You can describe yourself in a creative manner or perhaps you would like to mention a particular passion. Create sentences that you would enjoy reading. Use detailed, descriptive words. Be authentic and honest, especially in this section. The goal is to create a personal “snapshot,” a memorable description of you – something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
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