This report by STAIRAZ Career Lab offers an objective analysis of the job market for college students, based on data collected from new graduates and early career recruiters during 2023-2024. Drawing insights from real data and feedback from these stakeholders, the report provides valuable guidance on crafting compelling resumes tailored to today's competitive job market. From resume length preferences to the significance of various resume sections, the analysis delves into key aspects of the job search process. Through a comprehensive examination of academic, professional, and additional experiences, readers gain insights into industry expectations and trends, empowering them to navigate the job search process effectively.
Key Takeaways
While longer resumes are increasingly acceptable, it's still advisable to aim for a concise and focused resume, typically within two pages, to ensure clarity and relevance.
Tailoring resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is essential, as optimized resumes significantly increase the likelihood of passing initial screenings and advancing in the hiring process.
Highlighting academic achievements, relevant coursework, and professional experiences remains crucial for showcasing readiness for the workforce.
Including involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other experiences provides a well-rounded view of a candidate's skills and interests, bolstering overall candidacy.
Emphasizing practical experiences and leadership roles on resumes effectively communicates qualifications and potential contributions, aligning with recruiter preferences and industry standards.
Introduction
In this article, we strive to offer an objective overview of what constitutes a strong resume for college students, grounded in real data and insights. By combining findings from the STAIRAZ 2024 Job Report with feedback gathered from early career recruiters across 136 companies in the United States, our goal is to provide readers with a clear understanding of what employers are looking for in resumes from recent graduates.
Our analysis is based on data collected from 1,375 students actively seeking employment during the 2023-2024 period, representing over 95 universities nationwide. Additionally, insights from recruiters offer valuable perspectives on industry expectations and trends. For a deeper dive into the 2024 job market landscape, the STAIRAZ 2024 Job Report serves as an invaluable resource.
Through the lens of real-world success stories and practical tips, we hope to provide readers with a concise yet informative guide on how to write a compelling resume that stands out in today's competitive job market.
Length of A Resume
In this section, we delve into the typical length of resumes submitted by new graduates and their impact on job search outcomes, drawing insights from both student data and feedback from early career recruiters.
Our data indicates that the average resume length among job seekers is approximately 1.7 pages, as detailed in Figure 1. Contrary to conventional wisdom, which often advocates for a one-page resume, our findings reveal a different perspective. Moreover, only 15% of early career recruiters express a preference for single-page resumes, suggesting a shift in traditional expectations, particularly for those new to the job market. Notably, over 60% of candidates who received at least one job offer had resumes longer than one page, indicating that the one-page resume rule might not be as rigid as previously thought. This aligns with insights from early career recruiters, further challenging the perceived importance of one-page limitations.
However, employers still prefer concise resumes, advising against resumes that exceed two pages. This preference is largely driven by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which tend to favor shorter, more focused resumes rich with relevant keywords. Insights from the STAIRAZ Career Research further emphasize the importance of resume focus, revealing that shorter, more focused resumes stand a 35% higher chance of passing ATS scrutiny compared to longer counterparts, even with similar relevant working experiences. Thus, while brevity remains a consideration, our data suggests that depth and relevance are paramount in navigating both recruiter preferences and ATS filters.
Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
In this section, we delve into the perceptions of both students and recruiters regarding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and their role in the job application process.
Our data highlights a significant gap in student awareness regarding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), with only 35% indicating familiarity with the system. Alarmingly, this suggests that the majority of students lack understanding of ATS and its role in the hiring process.
Additionally, while over 80% of students engage in resume tailoring at least once during the application process, there's a disconnect in their intentions. Despite this widespread practice, a mere 29% of students recognize the primary purpose of resume tailoringâto enhance their chances of passing through ATS filters. This indicates that while many students make efforts to customize their resumes, they may not fully grasp the significance of tailoring for ATS optimization.
On the recruiter side, a substantial 88% acknowledge the use of ATS by their companies as a means to pre-select resumes. However, there's a noteworthy concern among recruiters, with 66% expressing belief that ATS systems could potentially overlook qualified candidates.
Furthermore, a significant 79% of recruiters emphasize the importance for students to craft their resumes with ATS in mind. This underscores the necessity for students to not only understand the existence of ATS but also tailor their resumes effectively to navigate these automated systems.
Through these insights, it becomes evident that while ATS plays a crucial role in modern recruitment processes, there's a need for greater awareness and understanding among both students and recruiters to ensure fair and efficient candidate selection.
Insights on Academic Section
In this section, we explore the pivotal elements of academic experience showcased on resumes, taking into account the perspectives of both job seekers and recruiters.
Inclusion Rate
Overwhelmingly, academic experience finds its place on resumes, with over 99% of job seekers incorporating this section. This statistic is unsurprising, particularly considering our focus on new graduates navigating the transition into the job market.
Components Included
As shown in Figure 2, when job seekers talk about their education, they usually mention a few key things. Most importantly, 89% of them mention their degree, which is really important. Also, while not as common, 45% of job seekers talk about their GPA (Grade Point Average), showing how well they did in school.
Additionally, about 42% of job seekers mention classes they took that are relevant to the job they want. This shows they have specific skills related to the job. Some job seekers, around 37%, also mention any academic awards they've received, showing they did really well in school.
Recruiter Preferences
From the recruiter's standpoint, specific components of academic experience hold varying degrees of importance. Degree information is universally valued, with 100% of recruiters considering it an essential inclusion on resumes.
Interestingly, while not universally prioritized like degree information, relevant coursework holds considerable weight, with 69% of recruiters recognizing its significance in showcasing specialized skills and knowledge relevant to the desired role.
Additionally, all recruiters unanimously agree on the importance of including academic honors on resumes. By highlighting exceptional academic achievements, candidates can effectively distinguish themselves and demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence.
Insights on Working Experience
When it comes to showcasing their professional background, a significant portion of job seekers prioritize including a working experience section on their resumes. Specifically, 76% of job seekers feature this section, recognizing its importance in highlighting their practical skills and expertise to potential employers.
As depicted in Figure 3, job seekers who include a working experience section typically encompass a range of experiences:
Internships: An impressive 89% feature internships, showcasing the widespread practice of gaining industry exposure and practical skills through internships.
Part-time Jobs: Additionally, 56% incorporate part-time jobs, offering opportunities for skill development and real-world application of knowledge.
On-campus Jobs: Furthermore, 49% highlight on-campus roles, such as research assistant positions, illustrating candidates' ability to balance academic and practical responsibilities while contributing to campus initiatives.
From the recruiter's perspective, as shown in Figure 4 the significance of the working experience section varies:
Very Important: Nearly half of recruiters (48%) view the working experience section as very important when evaluating candidates for positions. This underscores the value recruiters place on practical experience in assessing candidates' suitability for roles.
Important: Additionally, 37% of recruiters consider the working experience section important for the position. While not as universally prioritized as other sections, such as education, working experience still holds considerable weight in recruiters' evaluations.
Not Important: However, a smaller proportion of recruiters (15%) perceive the working experience section as not important. Despite this, job seekers should recognize the potential impact of omitting or downplaying their professional experiences on their resumes.
Overall, the working experience section plays a significant role in shaping recruiters' perceptions of candidates' qualifications and suitability for positions. Job seekers should carefully curate this section to highlight relevant experiences and demonstrate their readiness to excel in the workplace.
Insights on Other Experience
Students often possess a wide array of experiences beyond their academic and professional endeavors. Figure 5 illustrates the prevalence of various types of additional experiences included on resumes:
Volunteer Experience: Approximately 39% of students include volunteer experience, demonstrating their commitment to community service and philanthropy.
Student Club and Organization Involvement: Around 36% of students highlight their participation in student clubs and organizations, showcasing their leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills.
Fraternities and Sororities: A smaller percentage, about 14%, include involvement in fraternities and sororities, indicating their engagement in social, academic, and philanthropic activities within these organizations.
Athletic Experience: A modest 9% of students include athletic experience, such as participation in sports teams or competitions, highlighting their physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline.
From the recruiter's perspective, as depicted in Figure 6, the importance attributed to these additional experiences varies:
Very Important: For 34% of recruiters, these additional experiences hold significant importance, recognizing the value they bring in showcasing diverse skills, interests, and extracurricular involvement.
Important: Nearly half of recruiters (48%) consider these additional experiences important for the position, underscoring their relevance in evaluating candidates' overall fit and potential contributions beyond academic and professional qualifications.
Not Important: A smaller proportion of recruiters (18%) perceive these additional experiences as not important. However, job seekers should still recognize the potential impact of including such experiences in demonstrating well-roundedness, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Overall, including these additional experiences on a resume can provide a more comprehensive picture of a student's background, interests, and personal development, thereby enhancing their overall candidacy in the eyes of recruiters.
Conclusion
In summary, our analysis provides an objective overview of the job market landscape for college students, backed by real data and insights from both student respondents and early career recruiters. From resume length preferences to the significance of various resume sections, our findings shed light on the evolving expectations of recruiters and the strategies that students can employ to enhance their candidacy. By leveraging this comprehensive understanding of industry trends, college students can navigate the job market with confidence and effectively showcase their qualifications and experiences to potential employers.
