Resume building should begin before you take that final walk across the stage to receive your college diploma.
Most graduates feel like they will struggle to be competitive candidates in their chosen industry due to a lack of practical experience.
One of the best ways to give your resume a boost is to include earned certificates that show your initiative and unique skill sets.
Your professional resume may look a bit bleak if you are just entering the workforce after completing your degree.
The one advantage that you can give yourself is to expand your knowledge by seeking out practical certifications. Choose courses that will be advantageous in any industry and show potential employers that you have more to offer than your work experience.
One of the keys to producing a winning resume is understanding how to present your marketable skills. Investing in online safety training courses could help you to fill out some of the inevitable gaps in your post-graduation resume.
Let’s look at a few certifications that you should add to your resume before you graduate:
1. First Aid
Every adult should complete a first aid training course at some point in their lives. You will learn valuable medical skills, including diagnostics and emergency treatments that can be used in many situations.
Having the knowledge to deal with illness and injuries can help you react quickly when needed and ready to handle the unexpected.
You don’t need to be stranded in the woods for first aid knowledge to be crucial. Having a first aid certification can be viewed as advantageous to many prospective employers.
Having someone on staff trained in the basics of first aid medicine can be an asset to any company.
2. Health and Safety
Most companies will automatically require you to take some form of onsite safety training during your onboarding process.
Educating yourself about the inherent risks on the job can help employers to see that you have taken proactive steps to be informed.
Showing initiative by completing a health and safety certification and adding it to your resume will give you a more in-depth picture of the risks involved in your industry and how to keep both you and your teammates safe on the job.
3. CPR
Many people believe that CPR falls under the same certification as a generalized first aid course. However, CPR training focuses on the recognition, treatment, and emergency procedure of administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
This skill can save lives when it is done correctly. Learning the proper techniques can give you the knowledge and confidence to act quickly and accurately in an emergency.
Employers will look at this type of certification as an advantage that can benefit their whole team.
4. PPE Safety
Whether you will be working in manufacturing or the medical field, there will be requirements for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Staying safe on the job should always be a priority.
Earning your PPE certification and listing it on your resume can show employers that you take safety and procedures seriously.
Conclusion
Creating a resume that will help you land your first career position can be challenging when you have little real-world experience.
Investing in certification programs and adding skilled knowledge to your resume can help you stand out from other candidates.
