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As a college undergraduate, how can you build a life that will positively impact your future job marketability when your work is still being evaluated by letter grade, and the most challenging daily decisions are what to eat on campus?
It’s never too early to start thinking about learning new skills, participating in volunteer opportunities, and earning certifications that you can add to your resume. With Gen Z set to make up 25 percent of the workforce, finding ways to stand apart from your peers now will pay off immensely when you’re ready to showcase your qualifications in the post-graduate working world.
Here are 7 Ways to Boost Your Resume (When You’re Not Hitting the Books)
1. Complete an Internship.
Whether you land at a law firm, your local newspaper, or a remote dude ranch, your internship experience will help you establish a foundation for a future career, including giving you a taste of what post-grad life could look like. Some internships can also provide college credit, a stipend, or an hourly wage to help offset expenses. These experiences can open doors to more internships, glowing letters of recommendation, and, if you work hard and the stars align, a coveted full-time job upon graduation.
Internships typically last the duration of an academic quarter or semester. They are available in all kinds of industries including finance, technology, publishing, construction, legal, and the performing arts. To find an internship that fits with your criteria, start by making an appointment with your academic department office or college career center. They are a key resource for internship advice and access to available opportunities. Also, don’t be afraid to show your interest for an internship to your personal network, as well as at on-campus events like job fairs. You never know what is available to you unless you ask. (And if you happen to be on the hunt for sales and recruiting internships, look no further than here at Dexian.)
2. Get a Summer Job.
Although lazy days at the pool may be tempting, obtaining a summer job is a smart move. And unlike pool-lounging, you can get paid for your time. Whether you stick around school for the summer and work on campus (and even take a summer class or two to get ahead) or find a job back home, a summer job can give you structure, responsibility, and an opportunity to improve key abilities that greatly matter to recruiters and hiring managers: collaboration, critical thinking, and flexibility skills.
3. Take Online Classes and Earn Certifications.
The online education market has exploded, which is great news for students interested in building expertise and seeking an edge in the job market. On free-to-join sites like Coursera, you can choose to take a course, or dive deeper to earn a certification or even a degree. UDemy has courses to help people gain professional skills in all types of disciplines — from office productivity, to design, to teaching and academics, to personal development — and the courses can be downloaded and completed anytime. While your college workload may be heavy enough on its own, adding a course or two to complement your schoolwork shows potential employers that you have initiative, commitment to a field of interest, and a desire to learn and grow.
4. Become a Resident Assistant (RA).
Aside from the often-free room and board, there are other compelling reasons to become an Resident Assistant (or RA). An RA’s job is to welcome new residents to college life, be available as a resource for them on their dormitory floor, enforce school policies, and handle interpersonal conflicts that arise. It’s a great way to not only meet new people, but to also gain real-world leadership and problem-solving proficiency that will be very valuable in a future workplace.
5. Volunteer.
Donating your time to a greater cause and helping others is a commendable venture. If you’re not sure where to start, first consider what you’re interested in and then research non-profit organizations that work in that area. Your volunteer activity of choice may be becoming a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, or you might enjoy building houses for Habitat for Humanity, or tutoring middle-schoolers who want to go into STEM fields.
Tap into volunteer organizations on campus. Often times you won’t have to look far to find an established group working to clean up the environment, assisting at-risk youth, collecting food/supplies for those in need, or donating time to other philanthropy efforts. And what better way to make connections than to contribute to a collective passion project.
When you volunteer for a cause that’s meaningful to you, your interest and commitment will shine through on your resume and be evident to potential employers in interviews.
6. Join Professional Associations and Clubs.
Professional associations and clubs are made up of people in the same or similar fields who meet regularly to network, host guest speakers, and discuss issues important to their professional community. Joining a professional association or club offers networking opportunities with people in your chosen major or intended career, and can lead to future internship or job offers, access to potential mentors and an intellectual community of like-minded people, career advisement, and a chance to stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Your major is likely to have a related pre-professional society on campus. Many of these groups are affiliated with regional or national associations, such as Public Relations Student Society of America or The American Medical Student Association. Ask your professors, department heads, and peers for recommended groups applicable to your field both at school and in the local area.
If a club you want to join doesn’t exist, start one! The initiative, creativity and entrepreneurship you demonstrate in establishing something new will prove impressive to interviewers.
7. Study Abroad.
Venturing across the world for a semester, year or summer term immerses you in a new culture, with its unique language(s), customs, and communities.
Studying abroad can show potential employers that you’re adaptable in new environments, globally competent, emotionally intelligent, resourceful, responsible, and open-minded. It can also show employers that you’re ready for new challenges and opportunities, and that you value learning and growth in your personal and professional life. The Erasmus Impact Study showed that 64 percent of employers consider study abroad experience to be important, and 92 percent look for transferable skills that are typically gained from the experience.
While the benefits of study abroad are endless, these programs often come with a significant price tag. Contact your school’s academic advisor or study abroad department to learn about scholarship and financial aid options.
Bonus: Visit Your Career Center
Your college career center is often an untapped resource, offering services that can assist you with everything from major selection to resume and interview prep. They often have partnerships with several local and national companies, which can come in handy as a student wanting to secure a job or internship. Make your tuition dollars work for you by taking advantage of all that’s available to you.
What Recruiters Really Want to See on a Student Resume
If your work history is unremarkable and your biggest recent responsibility has been organizing your dorm’s pizza night, don’t worry, you’re not cooked. Hiring managers do not expect you to have years of experience at inception of your career. But they do want to see potential. Here is how you can showcase that potential.
What Employers Look For on a College Resume
Entry-level resumes are about signals. Recruiters want to know if you are teachable, reliable, and able to contribute right away.
Traits and experiences employers value most
- Soft skills like communication, teamwork, time management, and adaptability
- Relevant coursework and class projects that reflect your interests and capabilities
- Internships, volunteer work, or campus jobs that show responsibility and initiative
- Examples of how you have solved problems or improved outcomes.
Dexian Recruiter insight: “If a student can explain how they handled a group project conflict or delivered a standout class presentation, that tells me more than an unrelated part-time job ever could.”
Your resume is a tool to prove your aptitude through action and intent. Even if you have never held a formal job, you still have valuable experience.
Areas to Emphasize
- Class projects where you played a key role or delivered results
- Volunteer activities that show commitment and skill
- Leadership in clubs or campus organizations
- Personal initiatives like blogs, apps, side hustles, or portfolios
Format your resume effectively
- Stick to one page
- Use a clean, simple layout without columns or images
- Save and submit it as a PDF
- Use consistent headers and bullet points for easy reading
Resume Sections That Stand Out
Recruiters skim fast, so each section of your resume should highlight what makes you a strong candidate. Here is a recommended format and phrasing examples:
Summary
Data-driven psychology student passionate about mental health access and UX design.
Education
B.A. in Political Science, ABC University
GPA: 3.7 | Dean’s List | Relevant Coursework: Public Policy, Research Methods
Projects
• Redesigned campus app UI using Figma; improved user engagement by 50 percent (class project)
• Created business proposal for sustainable clothing brand in entrepreneurship course
Skills
Canva, Python, Excel, Event Planning, Public Speaking
Experience
• Peer Tutor: Supported 15+ students in Intro to Statistics
• Barista: Managed daily operations, mentored two new hires
Extracurriculars
• Treasurer, Debate Society: Managed 2,000 dollar annual budget
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity: Participated in six builds
Achievements
• Led a five-person team project using Agile; delivered ahead of deadline
• Presented research on Gen Z social media use to an audience of more than 100
Certifications and Online Courses That Add Value
Certifications are a fast way to show initiative, grow technical skills, and demonstrate interest in a career path. Many are free or low-cost, and can be completed within a few weeks. Pro-Tip: with AI on the rise across all industries, consider earning credentials in an AI specialty.
Here are credible platforms to consider:
- Coursera: Offers Google, Meta, and IBM certificates
- LinkedIn Learning: Especially useful for marketing, design, and leadership topics
- HubSpot Academy: Great for digital marketing skills
- Google Skillshop: Training for Google Ads, Analytics, and YouTube
High-impact certifications include:
- Google Data Analytics
- Meta Social Media Marketing
- Python for Everybody (University of Michigan)
- Microsoft Excel Fundamentals
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (especially for IT majors)
List certifications by name, platform, and completion date. Example: Google Data Analytics, Coursera (Completed May 2025)
How to Showcase Soft Skills with Real Achievements
Soft skills only matter when they are backed by action. Recruiters want to see HOW your abilities made an impact.
Use specific, measurable examples like these:
- Presented pitch for startup idea to a panel of 80 during entrepreneurship week
- Mediated team disagreement in group project, leading to A-grade and peer recognition
- Trained and supported new volunteers at campus recycling program
- Managed weekly club newsletter; increased open rates from 30 percent to 55 percent
Instead of listing the skill, describe the situation where you used it and the result.
Resume Mistakes Students Make and How to Fix Them
A few common errors can tank even a solid resume. Fortunately, they are easy to avoid.
Watch out for the following:
- Overloading your resume with outdated high school accomplishments
- Typos or grammatical errors: use a tool like Grammarly and have a friend proofread it
- Listing responsibilities rather than outcomes (e.g., “helped with events” vs. “organized event with 200+ attendees”)
- Using flashy formats that confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS) — keep it clean and simple
FAQs
What should a college student put on a resume with no job experience?
You have more to showcase than you think. Start by highlighting class projects where you contributed meaningfully or led an initiative — did you create something, solve a problem, or collaborate well with peers?
Volunteer work is another powerful addition, especially if you had concrete responsibilities like managing schedules or organizing events. Don’t forget to list leadership roles in campus clubs, student government, or peer mentoring as they illustrate reliability and initiative.
Include technical and soft skills, particularly those that relate to your target job (like AI, Excel, Python, Canva, or communication). Finally, stack your resume with certifications or online courses to show you’re proactive about learning.
Should I include a GPA on my college resume?
Yes, if it’s 3.0 or above. A strong GPA can validate your academic work ethic. If it’s below that, it’s better to leave it off and instead spotlight your relevant coursework, honors, or Dean’s List status.
Another trick: You can list a major GPA if it’s higher than your overall GPA, especially if it reflects your strengths in your chosen field.
How long should a college resume be?
Aim for one page. Recruiters spend only a few seconds on an entry-level resume, so clarity and brevity are key. Cut anything that doesn’t directly support your career goals and avoid unnecessary fluff. Stick to bullet points and focus on what you did and why it mattered.
Is it okay to use a resume template?
Sure. But again, remember to keep it clean and simple. Templates are a great head start, but avoid designs with multiple columns, graphics, or excessive colors. These often confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies use to screen resumes.
Stick to clear headings (like “Education,” “Skills,” “Projects”), readable fonts, and lots of white space. Google Docs, Canva, and Microsoft Word all offer free, student-friendly resume templates.
Can I list part-time jobs like retail or food service?
Absolutely. Part-time jobs teach some of the most in-demand soft skills: time management, customer service, conflict resolution, multitasking, and more. Frame your experience with results, not just responsibilities. For example: “Managed high-volume shifts serving 100+ customers daily while training new team members.”
Employers respect students who work during school; it shows grit and discipline.
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