A version of this article first appeared on the TWC.edu website.

Demonstrating your leadership skills through work, volunteer, internship, extracurricular and/or community activities will help you stand out as an applicant on your resume. And don’t forget to add any awards and other recognition that will illustrate excellence.

Here are some tips as you prepare your resume for the Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship application.

1. Leadership

Leadership roles, whether in the classroom, at a part-time job, in clubs, sports, or organizations, show that you are trustworthy and disciplined.

Common areas for college students to demonstrate leadership:

  • Participation in student government
  • Founding a club or group
  • Office or chair of a club, group, fraternity/sorority
  • Captain of a sports team
  • Tutoring or teaching assistant
  • Volunteer or fundraising positions
  • Political campaign or organizing
  • Class project

The secret is showing the resume reader you are a well-rounded candidate, that you use your time in such a way as to develop skills and competencies that are enticing and marketable on the job market.

2. Responsibilities

Another opportunity to position yourself is through clearly stated responsibilities that you had in any role that you’ve spent time doing. This doesn’t mean you had to be running the place, but you should state what you are/were relied upon to make happen (and include numbers wherever possible).

Common areas for college students to show responsibilities:

  • Research assistant for a professor
    Example: Assisted Professor X in drafting of annual $2,500 grant proposal and assembling of final presentation for six-member department panel.
  • Volunteering in your community
    Example: Delivered 12 warm meal kits to community seniors two days per week during the semester.
  • Club membership
    Example: Co-chaired philanthropy committee’s annual 5K Fun Run for Charity, acquiring sponsors and personal donations to break 2018’s $10,000 goal.
  • Retail associate
    Example: Monitored sales floor and assisted customers with item selection and checkout.
  • Server
    Example: Facilitated diners in a section of four-six tables by timely addressing various needs during the course of the meal.
  • Babysitting
    Example: Supervised two infant children on Thursdays and Saturdays over course of the semester, keeping schedules and overseeing child welfare.
  • Private tutoring
    Example: Aided underclassmen students comprehend and apply advanced mathematics classwork on alternating weekends.
  • Campaign volunteer
    Example: Participated in Get Out The Vote weekend drive by visiting 42 homes over last weekend of October.

3. Awards and Honors

Awards and honors aren’t just given away, they are earned. Similar to leadership traits, receiving an award or honor involves character and discipline. This demonstrates that you were recognized for your continuous, long-term efforts and hard work. Make sure you add your awards and honors to your resume.

Common areas for college students to be recognized:

  • Dean’s List
  • President’s List
  • Competitive scholarships
  • Academic major award
  • Honorary college, fraternity, society
  • Civic awards
  • Weekly/monthly/quarterly student or employee award

The important takeaway is that, even if you lack leadership experience, you can make your resume stand out by presenting yourself as a well-rounded, appealing candidate – beyond job experience alone.