Volunteering for town beautification

Didn’t get a job this summer? There are still plenty of ways to gain work experience and build your resume! We’ve compiled a helpful list of 10 ways college students and recent graduates can constructively spend their free time this summer.

1. Volunteer:  Whether you have a charity or cause close to your heart, or a community event is in need of additional hands, volunteering produces a feeling of self-worth and fulfills civic duty. Regardless of the capacity in which you choose to volunteer, it will certainly promote good will.
2. Conduct scientific research:  Research isn’t just for science majors or medical students. A wide array of subjects, like communication, political science and anthropology, call for scientific research and studies. Not only will the experience allow you to reflect on your personal interests and curiosities, it will hone your analytical and critical thinking skills.
3. Write a business plan:  If starting your own business venture is something you have considered, writing up a business plan is the first step to putting your plan into action. A well thought out plan can give employers insight into your decision making skills. Check out the U.S. Small Business Administration’s guide for writing a business plan to help you get started.
4. Contribute to a political campaign:  Whether on the local, state or federal level, working on a political campaign is a great way to learn about political issues and policies as well as becoming informed on where candidates and constituents stand on various issues. You can choose from a variety of ways to get involved in a campaign, depending on the skills and areas you want to develop.
5. Write a blog:  Besides being a therapeutic outlet for sharing your thoughts with others and improving your writing skills, a blog is a great way to find your voice. Both business and personal blogs are commonplace and can range in topics from fashion to finances. Blogging platforms such as Tumblr will host your blog free of charge.
6. Plant a garden:  There’s no time like the present to embrace nutrition and start a healthy lifestyle, and what better place to start than your own backyard? A garden requires minimal equipment, and everything from vegetable seedlings to fertilizer can be purchased at a hardware or grocery store. You may even find that gardening will become a lifelong hobby.
7. Take an online class:  As you were reading through job descriptions, you may have been intimidated by the skills and software experience listed as requirements, of which you may be lacking. It often takes on-the-job experience to pick those up, but you can also take online courses to gain the skills you need to match those job requirements. For example, you can take classes in project management, HTML and technical writing at sites like www.ed2go.com.
8. Mentor an underprivileged child:  Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization that helps shape the future of children by empowering them to achieve with the help of a mentor. Participating in an organization like this will not only help a child reach their full potential, but it is also a rewarding way to give back to the community and may teach you a thing or two about yourself as well.
9. Clean a park:  Cleaning up your neighborhood park is a rewarding project that doesn’t take a large time commitment. Whether you spend a few hours on a Saturday morning or decide to start a volunteer group, cleaning a park has immediate and tangible results that will build community spirit.
10. Take a trip Eat, Pray, Love style:  Visiting foreign countries is a one-of-a-kind experience and often a life changing event. It allows you to experience different cultures and try new things, as well as letting you get in touch with yourself on a more spiritual level.

Who knows? You may find that one of these experiences is just the thing to make you stand out among other candidates at your next job interview. For more ideas on how to spend your summer vacation, check out our recent blog post, “Questia’s summer reading list and other ways to keep your mind sharp over summer break.”

Entrepreneur Erin Heale sells ice cream (© Jim Cole/AP Images)

Summer brings sunshine and a break from studying, but it also brings an opportunity for summer employment. You have a chance to begin building your resume and establishing your first steps on a career path. Not to mention, you’ve also got a chance to earn some much-needed money for expensive tuition bills and book costs.

Our team at Questia tracked down the most-talked about summer employment opportunities that will mean more than just a paycheck.  Read on to learn how you can land one of these top jobs this summer:

1. Freelance Writer: Working as a freelance writer will teach you invaluable research and writing skills. You’ll learn how to write concise, readable and enjoyable copy, as well as how to edit and streamline your articles for maximum viewership. Typically, you’re able to take on as many or as few assignments as you choose. Best of all, freelance writers have a far more flexible schedule provided you meet your deadlines. To find freelance writing opportunities, check out resources such as The Barefoot Writer.

2. Server: Serving tables is one of the hardest jobs out there, but it can actually be very rewarding. You’ll learn how to keep calm under pressure and increase your memory and multitasking skills. By exposing yourself to high-quality fare and teaching yourself new abilities, you will develop interpersonal skills and broaden your mind. Visit Jobs2Careers to find available serving positions across the country.

3. Internship: Interning at a company is one of the surest ways to have an “in” if you want to apply there after graduation. Having an internship on your resume will help put you above the rest of the applicants. Not only will it show your drive, it will also show you have experience and hands-on knowledge. A college education is crucial, but most employers are looking for proof that you’re a good worker. Check out Work for Students to find internship opportunities in your area.

4. Nanny: Parents will often pay great rates for a good sitter over the summer. Good nannies spend their days doing fun and creative activities with kids. Whether you want to be a teacher, a therapist or a doctor, having experience with children is an enticing skill to put on your resume. Nannying is also something you can fall back into if you have a hard time finding a job after college or if you want to do something part-time during the school year. You can search for nannying positions near you at SitterCity, one of the most trusted resources out there.

5. Entrepreneur: If you’re having trouble finding work or just want to launch your own paid pastime, summer is the time to do it. Mow lawns, walk dogs or paint houses—whatever you’re interested in—and learn a lesson in business startups while you’re at it. Get valuable tips on growing your own business by visiting Entrepreneur.com to network and read success stories from people in your field of interest.

Job competition may be fierce, but a little hard work can go a long way. For even more coverage on summer jobs for college students, check out our featured article for Forbes.com. And, for advice on how to get started on your job hunt, check out our recent blog post, “Job hunt study guide: Tips for writing a cover letter.”

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Stay concise, focus on accomplishments, and don’t hold back

Do you think the perfect resume is a subjective idea? The recipe for an outstanding resume is actually fairly universal in terms of look, length, and basic content. With the right approach, you can churn out a stellar resume that will appeal to potential employers and land an interview for your dream job. Here are some resume writing tips and a sample resume to get you started.

• Design is crucial.

Your layout matters. Your font matters. Your type size and masthead matter. Selecting them should be equally as important as your job descriptions, because a poorly formatted resume will turn off hiring managers – they will move right on to the next candidate. Try sticking to basic sans serif fonts (no more than two, total), avoid going any lower than 11-point text size, and make sure the most important things like your job title and place of employment, stand out the most. Make sure you don’t cram too much onto the page – plentiful white space makes it easier to scan. As for the length, you can never go wrong with one page. Consider posting an extended version on your personal Web site for reference. Check out these resume tips for first-time job hunters.

• Build your resume around the essentials.

Not sure which duties and responsibilities to include for each job? Consider brainstorming your accomplishments first. Did you have any special appointments? Record sales? Were you put in charge of managing or coordinating any projects? List the biggest stuff first, and always use actionable verbs to describe them (e.g., “chaired the committee”, “coordinated schedules” , etc.). Smaller duties are certainly important, but knowing how to process invoices and manipulate templates in InDesign may be more relevant in cover letters, where you can discuss how capable you’ll be in a specific job. Discover the essential elements of resume style.

• Think about the job you’re applying for.

You will often hear the words “tailor your resume,” which means you should highlight what makes you most qualified for the job you’re applying for. Dropping job-specific keywords into your descriptions works well, but don’t go overboard – make sure you’re staying true to your own abilities while underscoring what makes you an excellent fit for the position. Don’t be afraid to talk yourself up. Hiring managers look for confident candidates, and this will shine through in your resume.

• Don’t skip the spell-check.

Proofread, spell-check, copyedit, and repeat. Make this your mantra! Leaving mistakes in the one professional reflection of yourself speaks worlds to a hiring manager and could leave you without a job. Try to stay away from superlative, self-flattering terms (e.g., “highly skilled”, “very motivated”, “expertly executed”, etc.). Let your accomplishments and job history speak for you. If you’re disseminating your resume via e-mail, make sure you’re sending it as a PDF – not as a text document. A PDF will retain your resume’s formatting, fonts, and spacing. Plus, it will open on most computers, whereas – a text document may not. Check out these 202 great resumes.

• Enlist resume reviewers.

Ask a friend, colleague, mentor, or all three to read your resume. Even if you’ve read through it 100 times, there is probably something you missed. A fresh perspective often helps you be more concise and expand the content as needed. If you’re snail-mailing your materials, make sure you use high-quality paper. Avoid stapling or folding it, and don’t forget a cover letter.

Don’t know where to begin? Here’s a sample resume to get you started. Want more? Check out these other resume examples.