5 Fun Ways To Spice Up Your Resume

Summertime is here, and for those of us who are looking for a job, it can seem as though the summer will be no fun. Between juggling childcare, the kids being out of school and squeezing interviews in between summer activities, it gets hectic. For recent college graduates, it can be even worse. Armed with a degree and not much job experience, the summer can be a time of getting a great resume together and finding the right career path.

 However, there are some fun ways to enjoy the summer and beef up your resume at the same time. Many of these activities involve meeting lots of other people, which is a great way to jumpstart your networking plan. In addition, they all will add something interesting to your resume, to help you stand out.

Here are 5 fun ways to spice up your resume:

Learn a new language - There are many ways that you can learn a new language. Your local community college will most likely offer classes and other community organizations may have some options as well. Of course, you won't become fluent over the summer, but the benefits of learning a new language aren't limited to only those who have studied for a long time. Learning a language builds new pathways in your brain and helps you practice critical thinking. What's more - saying that you're studying a new language on a resume tells an employer that you have self-discipline and are interested in learning new things.

Sign up for acting classes - Or join an improv workshop. These are tons of fun and really help you to get out of your shell and be more outgoing. Especially if you're an introvert like me, acting classes give you the chance to learn how to get past anxiety and present a more self-confident image. Acting classes are also a great way to become a better public speaker. It looks interesting in your resume and when a hiring manager asks you about them, it's a chance for you to say that you are trying to improve your communication skills.

Turn a hobby or interest into a business - You might not end up with an extremely profitable business, but going into business for yourself definitely shows your entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrates your ability to get things done. Maybe you like gardening, crafting or carpentry. Whatever it is that you love to do, find a way to make money doing it and give your resume a boost, along with your wallet.

Write - Start a blog about your hobby or industry. Write a column for a free paper or write a how-to-guide for one of the many how-to websites. Writing is a great exercise because the more you write, the better you get. When it comes to finding a job, your resume and cover letter are often the first thing an employer sees, so being able to write in a more compelling way will help you get past the initial screening process and into more interviews.

Use your imagination - Hopefully, this list will inspire you to think of other things you can do to make your resume more interesting. If you've been out of work for more than a month or two, a prospective employer will want to know how you've spent your time. They are concerned that you haven't been doing anything and that your skills aren't as sharp as they might have been. Show them that you are still a motivated, productive professional by having a few things on your resume to account for your time.



All of these activities are fun and helpful on a resume, but the best thing is that they can get you out of a slump and keep you from becoming depressed. Keeping your spirits up and your mind active helps you be your best, most confident self.

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