One of the most difficult parts in writing a resume is composing the descriptions of your jobs, volunteer work, projects, and other relevant experiences. Each description of your work history and volunteer experience should be clear and concise, yet descriptive. After reading your description, a prospective employer should know exactly what your responsibilities were, what skills you have developed, where your strengths lie, and what you have achieved.
Here are some tips to help you write a concise and informative description:
Check out some of Steinbright’s resume samples to gather ideas on how to market your experiences and talents.
MARKETING YOUR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Studying, working and volunteering abroad allows a student to develop and refine many skills, including:
- Adaptability – as it relates to the culture, language, mores/values/morals/customs, currency, business conduct laws, traditions and more. You likely were able to form new friendships and/or professional relationships, navigate your new surroundings, travel independently, etc.
- Communication skills – speaking/familiarizing yourself with the spoken and written language and non-verbal behaviors (i.e., body language). You likely relied upon your instincts and intuition in communicating with others, thus increasing your interpersonal communication and cultural/global awareness.
- Critical thinking/problem solving skills – while you were abroad, you probably encountered situations without clear resolutions. You likely called upon your critical thinking, problem solving, logic skills and creativity in order to find solutions.
Additional skill sets that were likely enhanced in your time abroad:
Independence, time management, financial/money management, confidence, initiative, global awareness/cultural competence, interpersonal/networking skills
Helpful verbs to express these skills for your resume:
Adapted, awarded, built, cooperated, developed, exchanged, fostered, implemented, immersed, improved, lived, managed, organized, overcame, practiced, realized, represented, recognized, shared, traveled, translated, visited