Navigating Resume Anxiety as a Student
As a student, the pressure to develop a robust resume can often feel overwhelming. At my school, there is a strong focus on preparing for future careers, which involves crafting resumes that highlight work experience, skills, and volunteer activities. However, this emphasis on resume building can leave many of us feeling inadequate, especially when faced with our peers’ accomplishments.
Personally, I’ve held only two jobs—both entry-level positions in retail—which may not seem particularly impressive. In addition, I haven’t participated in formal volunteer work, at least not to an extent that feels remarkable. While I believe I possess various skills, they often seem too abstract to effectively translate into the hard skills that employers typically look for.
Conversations around resumes often create a sense of urgency to have a long list of experiences, leading many students, including myself, to feel as though we should have done more during our high school years. This can foster feelings of insecurity, making it easy to question our worth or accomplishments.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, know that you are not alone. Many students experience resume-related anxiety and worry about their career prospects. It’s essential to remember that everyone’s journey looks different, and each experience, no matter how small, can contribute to personal and professional growth. After all, the path to success does not have a one-size-fits-all formula.
