Credentials added in your resume are major factor for being considered for the job. Without credentials, your possible employer will never be able to gauge your possible efficiency at work or your role in the company. Credentials will tell you who you are, your connections and even the people you know.
Establishing credentials is often the dilemma for fresh graduates. Because of their limited education and experience, they are unable to prove their ability to work hard in the industry they have chosen. Because of recession, many companies are opting for experienced individuals because they need someone who knows how to deal with the current state of the economy.
More than Just a Bachelor’s Degree
Unfortunately, your four (or five) year degree will never help you land a job with a promising career nowadays. Those who graduate with flying colors will be able to land a good job even before they finish college but for an average student, the chances of getting hired are relatively difficult.
The reason is simple: everyone else has the same or even better degree. The number of unemployed today is staggering that there is a big chance that someone else has a better education.
Pushing for Training
A simple but highly effective manner of improving your credentials is to include every training program you experienced during and after your college years. These trainings are all geared for something: to improve what you already know in the classroom.
A tip for the undergrad: grab every training opportunity you can get today. As a student, you should be able to gain considerable discount on these trainings. Some are even free of charge since they will be supported by your school. If you can be certified in those trainings, you can use these trainings to boost your credentials.
"Relative" Experience
A fresh graduate is not necessarily someone who didn’t have any experience. Many of the fresh graduates today were able to work in various jobs just to pay for the books, part of their tuition fee or just anything they need to learn. These jobs should never be kept secret from your possible employers – they will be uncovered anyway.
Include almost every job that you did and be proud of it. Just make sure they are legal and will not offend the morals or values held by the company. Your small experience will tell the employers that you are a hardworking individual and will do many things to get the job done.
References
The final portion of your resume is also important in improving your credentials. References are people who will vouch for your efficiency as well as the ability to perform the task being asked. Be sure to include reputable people – your professor, your former boss in your part time job or anyone you think has a impact in their industry.
All About Presentation
Last but not the least; write your resume in a very presentable manner. Create and edit your resume constantly so that you’ll slowly improve on how to present your experience, training and references.