Creating a strong resume is a crucial component in any successful job search. Your resume serves as your personal marketing document and your first impression to prospective employers. To create a strong resume, you must first identify the message you want the reader to receive and determine the skills and qualifications you would like to highlight on your resume. What you highlight, is generally based on the position you would like to apply to.

For this discussion, you will explore the components of a strong resume, reflect on your own career goals, and assess what action steps you can take to make your resume stronger.

To prepare for your discussion

• Watch the Creating a Winning Resume (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. pre-recorded webinar (54 minutes) to help prepare you for creating or updating your resume.
• Login to My Career through your Student Portal (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Revisit your career goal and identify the top three to five skills or qualifications that make you a strong candidate for this career/position.
  • If you already have a resume, use the resume resources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to update your resume and target the industry or occupation you are seeking.
  • If you do not have a resume, use the resume resources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and this resume template (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to develop an initial resume, and target the resume to the industry or occupation you are seeking.

Initial PostList your career goal and the three to five key skills or qualifications that make you a strong candidate for this career or position.

Share three specific changes that you made to your resume that helped to emphasize your selected skills or qualifications.