Authored for CMANXT.ca by Tracy Reese, an instructor at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC).
As you commence your advertising degree or diploma program, thoughts of applying for your initial position as an advertising professional may already be crossing your mind. If you have a slim curriculum vitae, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Students frequently inquire about how to enhance their curricula vitae when they have limited or no work experience. Thankfully, prior to embarking on your job search, there are several measures you can take to mitigate the impact of a slim resume.
Utilize your course outlines
As you progress through your courses, retain copies of all your course outlines or request them from your professors or instructors.
When revising your resume for each job application, incorporate relevant keywords from your course competencies that align with the key skills specified in the job advertisement. This approach will substantiate that you possess the necessary skills sought by the employer.
Create a skills-oriented curriculum vitae
Building upon the utilization of key competencies from your course outlines, constructing a skills-oriented curriculum vitae instead of a chronological employment-based resume will enable you to highlight the abilities acquired during your advertising program.
As previously mentioned, connecting your soft and hard skills acquired throughout your program to a job posting will indicate to potential employers that you possess the skills they require, despite lacking on-the-job experience.
Refer to this article for more information on creating a skills-oriented curriculum vitae.
Maximize the value of volunteer work
Incorporating volunteer work in your curriculum vitae demonstrates your commitment to the community. For students with a slim curriculum vitae, the following approach can allow you to leverage volunteering to a greater extent:
Seek out volunteer opportunities that align with your personal values and provide an opportunity to practice the skills you are learning in school. For example, if you are passionate about assisting a local animal shelter, offer your assistance in developing a marketing plan, writing social media content, or organizing and promoting events.
Many charitable organizations would eagerly welcome the offer of a student to perform marketing tasks that would raise their profile within the community. Prospective employers will gladly consider relevant volunteer experience in lieu of work experience.
Take advantage of experiential learning opportunities
Utilize experiential learning opportunities provided through your coursework to showcase your skills on a slim curriculum vitae. Completing marketing-based projects with businesses or charitable organizations through experiential learning initiatives enables you to demonstrate your skills. Do not forget to include these projects on your curriculum vitae!
You should also inquire whether your college or university employs experiential learning platforms such as Riipen or Orbis. These platforms facilitate the collaboration between organizations with specific course-related projects and students. The bonus for students using these platforms is the opportunity to network and showcase their skills to potential employers through project completion.
Wishing you the best of luck with your job applications! Visit CMA NXT and get involved!
