Another excellent technique for filling in the gaps in the Experience section of your resume is the Special Project Technique. It works especially well if you can dovetail in a large project for one of your classes with a company you have a specific interest in.

Choose a project that will not only fulfill the requirements of a class project assignment, but will also serve as a real-life simulation of work in the field. If there are no special projects on your class docket, you might want to try talking one of your professors into using this as a substitute for your final, or as extra credit, or you might seek approval of the Department Chair to make it an Independent Study project (often worth one to three credit hours). Choose the company that you have your strongest interest in to study and then contact the company to gather as much basic information as possible. You have an open door for researching the company that no other student has access to since you are studying the company as a special project.

"I am in the process of completing a special project for my _____ class and have chosen your company to research. Could you please provide me with some information?"

It's a natural entry into almost any company. Your academic approach to the company will have the words flowing forth from otherwise tight-lipped employees. In the process of gathering company information, you will also gather names and titles of key individuals in the organization. Because you are likely the only college student to be using the company specifically as the focus for a special project, you will put yourself in good standing for any potential job openings that may occur. You will already have the inside track.

The net result is that you have killed three birds with one stone: you have met your academic needs via the project, you have greatly improved your resume (and your ability to talk about "real world" experience), and you have gained access to a company that you have an interest in. It's win-win-win in all three areas!

A recent grad used this technique in his Senior Financial Management class and did a case study on the role of a particular investment banking firm in the recently completed merger of one of its clients. He developed an entire case study from what he felt would be the client's perspective in the merger, including an exploration of all potential concerns. Then he developed answers for each one of these concerns from the perspective of the investment banking firm. As it turned out, his uncanny knack for research scored a direct hit with the investment banking firm and he was eventually offered a job after graduation in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group.

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