Imagine this: You’ve just spent an hour polishing your resume. You’ve formatted, spell-checked, and even debated whether “synergized cross-functional teams” was a bit much. You hit send and think to yourself, “This is it! This is the one!” But little do you know, your resume has a few seconds to impress. Hiring managers, with their lightning-fast scanning abilities, give your life’s work a glance before deciding if it’s worthy of more attention or a trip to the digital recycle bin.

So, how do you catch their attention faster than you can say, “I need this job”? You treat your resume like a treasure map—full of hidden work-history treasures just waiting to shine. And guess what? I’m here to help you dig deep and uncover those sparkly bits of your career you didn’t even know were valuable.

Relevant Experience: It’s Not Just About That One Time You Had a Job

We’ve all seen it: “Relevant experience required.” Cue the sweat. But what does relevant even mean? It’s that special combination of skills, education, and experience that align with the job you’re drooling over. And spoiler alert: it goes beyond just punching the time clock.

First things first, closely examine the job posting. What are they asking for? Years of experience, specific software, obscure skills like “synergy”—it’s all there. But here’s the twist: your relevant experience isn’t limited to paid work. No, my friend. You’ve got treasure buried in other places, too.

Ask yourself, “What problems have I solved? What skills did I use?” You’ll be amazed at how many situations count as relevant. Did you organize your company’s awkward team-building event that everyone secretly loved? Boom. Leadership and event planning.

Your College Projects Weren’t for Nothing!

Remember that massive group project in college where you did all the work? (You know, while your groupmate was off finding themselves in a coffee shop?) Well, that’s a hidden gem right there. Projects, research papers, case studies—these are more than just things you did to avoid failing a class. They’re actual evidence of your skills.

Not to mention, if you participated in any academic clubs or student organizations, you’ve got more hidden jewels to add to your resume. So dust off that group project and make it work for you.

Volunteer Work: Not Just for Halo Polishing

Volunteering is like the secret superhero cape you didn’t know you were wearing. Have you organized a fundraiser, managed volunteers, or planned an event? Congrats! You’ve just proven you can handle budgeting, leadership, and teamwork—all while pretending to care about free T-shirts.

And guess what? Volunteer work counts as experience. You can—and should—structure it on your resume just like a job. Let the world know you’re not just working for paychecks but also for goodwill and… okay, maybe a couple of resume points.

Group Activities, Memberships, and Internships—Your Unlikely Allies

Now, let’s talk about the stuff that everyone forgets to mention—group activities and memberships. You joined the “Underwater Basket Weaving Society” in college? Cool. Maybe not the most useful thing on your resume, but if you were in any professional organizations related to your field, that’s pure gold.

If you took part in student organizations or clubs related to your career, flaunt them! It shows leadership, initiative, and passion for your field. Plus, internships—even unpaid—are worthy of a prime spot. Just make sure to include the term “intern” somewhere in the title. Because no, you weren’t “Vice President of Marketing” for that summer gig at your uncle’s startup.

Freelance Gigs: Because You’re a Hustler (Not That Kind of Hustler)

Freelancing isn’t just for side-hustlers trying to make rent. If you’ve freelanced, even casually, you’ve demonstrated initiative, self-motivation, and—let’s be honest—time management ninja skills. After all, juggling client demands and deadlines is no easy feat.

Got a couple of side gigs under your belt? Add them to your resume like the pro you are. Employers will see that you’re not afraid to hustle, and that you can manage multiple projects at once. Just don’t forget to mention the freelancing in your cover letter, because “I’m secretly a superhero” doesn’t fit under “Skills.”

Publications: Not Just for Nerds

Ever published an article, blog post, or book? Whether it’s a “How to Survive Your First Pottery Class” eBook on Amazon or a guest post on your favorite industry blog, this can set you apart. Publications show you’re an expert, or at least you can fake it really well.

Don’t have a published book? No worries. Writing for online platforms, starting a blog, or contributing to professional websites can demonstrate industry expertise and communication skills. And hey, if nothing else, it shows you know how to use a keyboard.

Hobbies: Who Knew Your Netflix Binge Skills Could Come in Handy?

Now, before you add “Netflix marathoner” to your resume, let’s be clear: only relevant hobbies need apply. And yes, they do exist! Ever edited your own videos for that YouTube channel no one knows about? Video editing. Have you been obsessively learning to code through online courses? Hello, programming skills.

Here’s the trick: if your hobby teaches you transferable skills that apply to the job, it’s worth mentioning. From public speaking to photography, if it can help you in your career, don’t hide it. And if you’ve turned your hobby into an Instagram empire with more followers than your local news station, definitely list those stats. Just maybe leave out the cat meme page.

Social Media: More Than Just a Place for Dog Pics

Okay, so maybe social media isn’t just for humble-bragging about your brunch. If you’ve run a successful social media account, especially for a brand or cause, this counts as marketing and engagement experience. Just include those follower counts and engagement metrics on your resume (only if they’re impressive, of course).

Applying for a marketing job? Highlighting your social media skills can demonstrate you understand modern marketing techniques and know how to connect with an audience. Plus, if you’ve ever had a tweet go viral, it’s basically like winning the lottery in today’s world. Right?

Connect the Dots: Tie It All Together with a Bow

Now that you’ve unearthed your treasure trove of experience, it’s time to make it all make sense. Your resume should tell a story—your story. Do some research on the company and role you’re applying for, then pick the hidden treasures that align most with the job.

Make sure to use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This helps showcase how you handled specific situations and why it matters. It’s like showing off your superpowers—but in a professional, “hire me now” kind of way.

The Final Takeaway: You’re a Hidden Gem (And So Is Your Experience)

By the end of this treasure hunt, you’ll realize your resume is far more than just a list of jobs. It’s a treasure map of experiences, skills, and hidden treasures that make you stand out from the crowd. So, start digging, and don’t forget to shine those treasures for the world to see.

Now go ahead, dust off your resume, polish those hidden treasures, and get ready to dazzle the hiring managers. With these tips, they won’t just give you few seconds—they’ll give you the job.