Build Your Own Salad, er, Resume.

I really love build-your-own salads. I can get the things I like and skip out on the things I dislike, leaving me with the perfect taste sensation.

Shouldn't your resume be like a build your own salad? Things employers like, minus their dislikes and leaving a metaphorical good taste in their mouth?

Obviously, you can't win them all. So how can you build a resume that's meaty but not over-bulked?

The Lettuce: Work Experience
Obviously, a resume needs to include work experience and education. Even if the job is meaningless, like your first job at a really lame mall store with a goofy uniform.

This is important because it shows that you've taken the initiative. You've had a job - even if it was totally unrelated to your field - which already puts you ahead of someone who hasn't had any work experience.

The Veggies: Education
Like your favorite veggies, education is also an important base. It adds more freshness to your Resume Salad. Like work experience, it shows your initiative, but also shows that you have learned important skills for your potential job and that you can and are interested in learning.

The Premium Toppings: Related Skills and Experience
Skills and related experience is like bacon or grilled tofu. It's a bit harder to come by and is a little extra to get, but it's worth every forkful. Related skills and experience help showcase your abilities and support your competency for the job.

The Cheese: Recognition
Lightly sprinkled, awards and honors are a great way to showcase your success. But be careful, too much and you come across... cheesy. Be sure to include recognition that is valid and not just goofy, as well as easily recognized as an important award.

Finally, the Dressing: Your Profile.
Some people like a lot of dressing, some people like theirs on the side. Your profile is really up to you - after all, it's a brief showcase of yourself. Think of it this way: If the recruiter or hiring manager only read your profile, what would you want them to know about you?

It's important to make sure your Resume Salad is balanced, just like your diet. Still having doubts? Ask your campus career counselor, your mom, or favorite professor to look it over.

Do you have a resume? How did you format it? Share with me in the commets below!

Stay true to yourself,
Alyson