Resume
Trial and error. That is truly what resume writing and construction is all about. For years, I have been using the same basic format for my resume. Sure, I updated it and made select alterations but for the most part it remained stylistically the same.
This past Tuesday, I met with the head of the Career Service Office at my campus. She had me toil away at the office computer, re-evaluating my descriptions of the varied job positions I listed on my resume. She had me read off to her job by job the according descriptions to make sure they were striking as well as intelligible. When I unearthed a possible opportunity, she would have me scroll through the list the company provides regarding job requirements and asked me to articulate what exactly in my resume fulfills those needs. We also discussed how to tailor my resume to each opening that I apply to. If I want to submit my resume for example, for an opening as a Style Editor at a magazine I might restructure the presentation of my resume to place all of my writing and interviewing experience up front. Even my cover letter which usually suffers from the same burden of a basic format should be stylized in an effort to present not only myself but my voice as well.
In an effort to get the proverbial ball rolling, it was decided that I should attempt some practice specific resumes and cover letters by selecting jobs I might be interested in applying for. I am scheduled to graduate in May 2007, so any job I applied to currently would probably not be willing to wait that long. The whole point of practicing applying for jobs is to get my mindset ready to adjust my resume and thereby my presentation of myself in accordance of the particular job I am applying to. After all, practice will eventually make perfect.
CollegeRecruiter.com has hundreds of sample resumes. Run a search in the upper right corner using your field (i.e., accounting) and the words sample resume. Best of luck!
Your counselor is taking you along the same path that I would had we been working together. The match between what you have and are presenting in your documents to what the employer is seeking as stated in the job description is very important. It spells whether your resume is entertained and you're invited for an interview or not. You can have all the enthusiasm in the world but if you don't have to offer what they're seeking there's no buying. It's sort of like when you go shopping and see a great pair of shoes but you really need a coat and not another pair of shoes.
By having you tell her why you are qualified, you are practicing for your interview and telling the employer why you are the right fit for the job. By rearranging your resume for each position, you're putting at the top or the forefront the things that are of most interest to the employer and thereby making your opportunities for being invited to interview greater.
A couple of weeks ago or so, I "talked" with another intern about starting the job search early, well before graduation. You've taken a very solid and wise step in starting your work with the career counselor on campus. Additionally, one of these "practice" jobs may prove to be one of the ones that extends an offer. In which case, worry over whether you're starting too soon is definitely unfounded.