Recently I helped a college student with her first resume. Like most new job applicants, she made three main mistakes in her resume.
First, she wasn’t clear about the job she wanted. If you are not sure what your education qualifies you to do or how your interests might translate into a career, you may want to consult a certified career coach or Job and Career Transition Coach. At the very least, start reading job descriptions, advertisements, and postings to see what companies are looking for and how you fit their requirements.
Second, she downplayed her volunteer work. The skills you acquire as a volunteer—communication, computer, leadership, organizational, and so on—are not only valuable in themselves, they also show a commitment to the community that most companies appreciate in employees.
Third, she provided the wrong details: she mentioned every school she attended, including grammar school, but neglected to describe her 3.9 GPA, courses, and awards in college. As a recent graduate, your education may be stronger than your job (or volunteer) experience. However, your early education is not important; what you should stress are your most recent successes, including GPA if it is a good one (generally above 3.00), the courses you took that are most relevant to your chosen career path, and achievements such as founding or serving as an officer in a school association or being recognized for your contribution to academics or sports.
I have many years of experience helping recent college graduates with professional resumes that show how ready they are to enter the workplace. Let me help you.