A resume for new college graduates must showcase academic successes, custom projects and other distinguishing characteristics that stand them apart. Furthermore, it should be optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS) while still being appealing to hiring managers.

Professional summaries must clearly outline your capabilities without resorting to buzzwords that raise red flags among employers. One effective approach for doing this is matching up your skills with those listed in job ads.

Chronological

Chronological resumes are the go-to choice, typically listing your most recent job at the top and listing each previous position in reverse-chronological order. This format works best if you possess relevant work experience as it allows you to showcase both your skills and achievements while showing how they apply directly to the position for which you're applying.

Begin the resume with your contact information, such as name and email. Add a professional headline that matches what hiring managers would see on LinkedIn to give an indication of the kind of position you seek.

Your education section should include your college graduation date and major. Hiring managers will quickly skim this information; be sure to note if you were on the Dean's List or received any academic awards during this process.

Once you've highlighted your education, the next step should be listing your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Be sure to include internships, volunteer work and school leadership positions that pertain to your career goals here; list relevant accomplishments and responsibilities while including statistics when applicable.

Your resume should include either a separate skills section or incorporate it directly into the work history section. A summary of your skills can show new college graduates that you possess all of the qualities needed for success in their chosen career field.

Functional

Functional resume formats focus less on work experience and more on skills. They are typically utilized by job seekers who have experienced gaps or changes in employment or are seeking new fields of employment; it may also be suitable for recent graduates without professional experience who possess significant training and theoretical knowledge.

Make your functional resume even more impressive by including action words that demonstrate impact in each of your roles, for instance "Evaluated search engine optimization best practices to increase website traffic," rather than simply saying you "Served on a committee that raised funds for the college lacrosse team".

If your work experience includes internships or part-time jobs related to your career goal, combine them into one work experience section and list them in reverse chronological order. Also include any extracurricular activities relevant to your field - serving on a non-profit board or volunteering.

Avoid including fluffy statements that do not support your candidacy, such as "team player," "self-starter" and "adaptable." Such cliches will likely turn off hiring managers and may get your application disregarded altogether. In addition, avoid including non-relevant keywords which don't relate directly to the job description - if applying to jobs using applicant tracking systems (ATSs), make sure your resume meets those specific criteria!

Hybrid

Hybrid or combination resume formats can be the ideal solution for recent college graduates because they offer the ideal balance of skills and experience. A skill section at the top highlights your technical proficiency relevant to your chosen career field while work experience highlights consistent professional growth over time. You can optimize your skills section for automated scanning by including words used by employers such as "team player." For instance, include this word when listing qualifications.

As with any resume format, start off your resume with your contact information: name, email, phone number and LinkedIn URL. Next, include an appealing professional headline or summary to present yourself in an engaging way; use this opportunity to showcase your best qualities like being self-driven or having strong communication abilities.

Create an education section of your resume, listing your highest academic degree and the name of the school where it was earned. Also include any certifications relevant to the job you are seeking as well as internships or part-time work that has helped showcase your experience in that industry. Don't attempt to hide employment gaps if they arise - employers will understand.

Combination

The combination resume format enables you to showcase both your work history and skills in an appealing manner that optimizes for both ATS scanning and human recruiter review. Your work experience section should follow a chronology format but only list relevant roles and achievements (try adding two to four bullet points highlighting duties and accomplishments for each role, where possible quantify your impact with hard numbers like "$millions saved," or "dozens of clients served").

The education section follows a functional resume format, listing your degrees in reverse chronological order with your most recent one at the top. Begin this section with a short paragraph highlighting your academic accomplishments (degree name/school and any honors/awards received), before using the rest of this paragraph to explain how your collegiate experiences prepare you for the job you're applying for.

If you're seeking a new career path, the combination format can be an excellent way to demonstrate your transferable skills. Create an eye-catching skills summary section showcasing all of the hard and soft abilities developed throughout your professional experience; including keywords from an employer's job description into this section will ensure you receive maximum points with automated talent screening systems (ATS scanners).