One of the most common mistakes applicants make is underselling themselves on their resumes.
Every point on your resume needs to express your experience and transferable skills and showcase how you think through the projects, assignments, and other tasks you list. Strong bullet points are crucial to standing out, especially when you did not get the chance to land an internship or do not have formal work experience.
Here are 5 practical tips USC Career Advisor, MJ Rojo-Henigan, and Global People & Talent Management Executive, Isaac Adesugba, covered in our June 2026 Career Bootcamp.
1. Class projects count if you write them right
Group projects, research papers, and presentations are all fair game on a resume.
The key is not writing “worked on a group project.” Instead, name your specific role.
Were you the facilitator? The one who organized the meetings? The person who pulled the data together? That specificity is what turns a class assignment into a resume-worthy bullet point.
2. Add a “by” to any bullet point you think is weak
If a bullet point feels too vague, finish it with the word “by” and explain how you did it.
Improved communications between departments becomes far more compelling when you add by leading orientation tours for groups of 10 or more.
You don’t need impressive numbers but showing how you accomplished a task helps demonstrate the specific skills you bring to the table.
3. You have transferable skills, Stop talking yourself out of them
One of the most common things career advisors hear is “I didn’t really do much.” But if you can look at a spreadsheet and spot a trend, that’s analytical thinking.
If you helped keep a group project on track, that’s project management.
If you presented findings to a class, that’s communication.
Employers can’t teach critical thinking, and if you have it, your resume should say so.
4. Quantify the small stuff
You don’t need a big metric to add numbers to your resume.
How many people were on your team? How many attendees were at the event you helped run? How many posts did you create for that club’s Instagram page?
Small numbers still signal credibility and help both employers and applicant tracking systems recognize your experience.
5. A cover letter is your secret weapon
When your resume feels thin, a cover letter gives you space to show who you are beyond the bullet points. Even when it’s not required, submitting one signals that you went the extra mile.
It’s also the place to mention a connection you made at a networking event, a coffee chat that sparked your interest in the company, or genuine enthusiasm for the role that a resume simply can’t convey.
This post is based on the How to Get A Job with “No” Experience session hosted at the USC Career Center’s Career and Professional Development Boot Camp. Watch the full panel on YouTube.
For additional support in editing your resume, schedule a virtual resume review (Summer only) or attend our drop-in hours, Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Fall & Spring Semesters).
