Things to put on a resume?

[Doolkid]

Recap: 22 year-old who graduated with a BA in Sociology from a small liberal arts college in May 2007. Still working a crappy retail job and looking for real work.

The best thing I have going for me on my resume is my degree from a good school. My experience is lackluster: Two retail jobs and two summers as a student helper at my school's post office.

I was wondering if the following things would help stand me apart.
Editor of my high school newspaper.
Officer for several clubs in high school and college...including President at one in college (where I organized huge events on campus).
Public Service Acheivement award granted to me by my department on campus my senior year.
Original topic on my senior thesis.

[AshleyJordan]

Yes! Definitely list those things! In fact, some of that experience (organizing events,) is more relevant than the retail experience, IMO. I am responsible for some hiring at my org, and I can tell you that I would weigh the college experience more heavily than the work experience, since it relates more closely to the skill sets and requirements for us.

[wordsmith]

Absolutely. When you're new to the post-grad workforce, all examples of leadership and accomplishment definitely merit mention.

I don't still tout my leadership experience from undergrad on my resume now that I'm nearly ten years and several jobs out of college, but when I was newly out? You bet.

[AshleyJordan]

In fact, some of the most innovative and interesting work I've done was in school. I've definitely worked on some GREAT projects in my professional life, but I was lucky to be in academic programs that had both the resources and the flexibility to let me do some really exciting projects (that I executed with a great deal of independence,) that I wouldn't be able to do in a traditional work setting.

[winneythepooh7]

What kinds of jobs are you interested in? I got my first job with only a BA in sociology and a small internship, RA experience, and leadership experience within my sorority.

Maybe we can help you "word" your resume.

[Doolkid]

Thanks guys! I needed to make sure that would be a good idea!

Well, Winnie, I've been applying to all kinds of jobs... here's a list of some jobs I've been applying at.

Customer Service Rep at a Health Insurance company (I interviewed twice for a positon and didn't get it).

Client Services at a Law Office

Human Resources Associate at a Warehouse and Distributing center.

Academic Counselor at the Local University of Phoenix chapter

A Coordinator position at a Non-Profit

Development Associate at another non-profit (This position was actually on the other side of the country... I interviewed via telephone and I bombed it because she kept asking about any fundraising experience I've had and I haven't had any!)

Welfare Caseworker for the state (I actually declined an interview for this job because I heard horror stories from people I knew about this job after I've applied).

Scheduling person at a clinic

There is a big nationally known corporation based in the area...A few months ago I applied to two analyst positions there...which I got email rejections from them...I was delighted that I got notification because all these other places I never hear back anything. But they recently posted two positions that I've applied for...one in Billing and one in indirect services (involves communicating with branches and doing work to help them out).

And on thursday night I also applied to work in development at a huge hospital.

So yeah...I'm all over the place! My problem is that I don't know what I want to do. Growing up...I really wanted to be a journalist of some sort. But I had an experience from hell being the editor of my high school paper (though the experience taught me some good skills). Then I went off to my liberal arts school without any career plans in mind, majored in sociology because I liked it, and now I'm graduated and I don't know what to do next.

How would you suggest I word some of my experiences on my resume? I would like to make the best impression.