My thoughts on a resume:
A strong résumé is one of the most valuable tools a person can have, because it serves as both an introduction and a persuasion piece. In a single page, you must capture the reader’s attention and convince them that you are worth investing more time in. It’s not simply about listing experiences, but about presenting your story in a way that demonstrates impact, potential, and purpose. A truly effective résumé leaves the reader wanting to learn more. Because why in the world would someone want to hire a person they were bored by? Here, I have listed ways that I have used to ensure that my resume is always ready for use, and as professional as possible!
The most valuable advice:
Why a Resume Matters
A resume is often the very first impression you make, so it should feel like a firm handshake instead of a weak wave from across the room. Employers don’t have hours to decode your life story, which means your resume has to be clean, easy to follow, and full of information that speaks for you in seconds. Think of it as your highlight reel, not the whole game tape.
Keep It Clean
Resumes should be neat and structured, not a cluttered mess of fonts, colors, and boxes that make hiring managers wonder if they need 3-D glasses to read it. This breaks my little design heart to shreds because I always lean towards an attractive resume, but with the day and age we are in now, your resume most likely will not be viewed by an actual human who would appreciate it. So, it is very important to create a resume that can be scanned without information being distorted.
Informative Without Overdoing It
Your resume should inform, not overwhelm. Listing every babysitting gig you had in middle school doesn’t make you look experienced—it makes you look like you’re padding. Stick to the roles, skills, and achievements that matter most to the job you’re chasing. The goal is not to make the employer say, “Wow, they’ve done a lot,” but rather “Wow, what they’ve done, they have done very well.”
Professional With Personality
Professional doesn’t mean boring. A great resume balances clear, informative structure with a touch of your personality. Whether it’s through strong action verbs, a well-crafted objective, or a subtle design choice, your resume should feel like you. Employers want to hire people, not robots—so keep it professional, but let who you are peek through just enough to make them curious about the person behind the paper.
I met with a career advisor once who strongly recommended that I keep a “master resume” that no one would ever see but me. I had always kept a private list of the things I had done just to make sure I never forgot to include something, but with this advice, I now keep a much cleaner, and more professional version of this information that is ready to go at all times.
My Current Resume
This document is not my complete master résumé, but rather a curated version intentionally focused on highlighting the professional work and accomplishments I have completed through my roles at The University of Alabama.
From my earliest experiences in high school to my current academic and professional endeavors at The University of Alabama, maintaining an organized and up-to-date résumé has continuously opened doors for me. Early on, I learned that preparedness creates opportunity — and that lesson has remained central to my approach and advice for other students. Having my résumé always ready has allowed me to confidently pursue scholarships, leadership positions, internships, and university roles without the added pressure of rushing to compile materials before a deadline.
Through this proactive approach, I’ve been able to present myself professionally and efficiently, ensuring that every opportunity, whether planned or unexpected, could be met with readiness rather than stress. Over time, this habit evolved from a simple organizational skill into a strategic advantage that I felt I had, setting me apart as someone who values preparation, professionalism, and intentionality.
For students, the importance of keeping your information current cannot be talked about enough. Opportunities rarely arrive on a convenient timeline, and success often favors those who are ready to act when the moment comes. By investing the time to keep a résumé accurate and complete, you’re not just documenting achievements — you’re preparing for the next step in your academic, professional, and personal journey.