Article: If you haven’t had many (or any) previous jobs, think about how your experiences (internships, leadership roles in college activities) can transfer to the position you’d like to have. For any college graduate, you should think about the kinds of soft skills at which you excel -- communication, both written and oral, leadership, organization, teamwork, etc. It will be important to highlight these on your resume. These are also skills that can help in getting a job. Check out some templates for specific suggestions on how to format your resume.  Highlight the skills you have from volunteer opportunities, internships, and any part-time jobs you have had. Mention any specific field-related knowledge you have – certificates, relevant computer programs, formats or styles of work, or languages. Ask former supervisors or employers for letters of recommendation – they will be able to tell possible employers about your work ethic, teamwork, and interest in the field. After you’ve written it, ask someone at the career center to look it over for you. They will probably have good suggestions about how you can improve it. Keep in mind that it will get easier the more resumes you write -- it’s a specific format that you just have to learn. It’s good to start with a general letter that you can then change depending upon the position to which you’re applying. Try looking at some templates to get an idea of the style and wording of typical letters. Your cover letter is a way for you to present yourself and your experiences in a different way than your resume -- don’t just reiterate the information you have included on your resume. Explain why your studies have prepared you for the job in this particular field. Again, ask at the career center for help in formulating a good letter and feedback after you’ve written it.  Work on explaining your lack of experience – let employers know about the steps you’ve taken while still in school to get a feel for the field through volunteering or internships. Let potential employers know about relevant coursework you might have taken, from learning how to code to becoming certified in medical translation.

What is a summary?
Create a resume. Get feedback on your resume. Write a cover letter.