Your Resume

A resume is simply a well organised list of your experience, education and job-related personal traits that you've prepared to give an employer.

A good resume will tell the prospective employer how you can perform a certain job for his/her company. It outlines what you have done, what skills you have and what you could do for the employer. It also shows what you have accomplished.

A resume shows the employer that you want the job, that you can do it, and that you are a better choice than the other candidates.

 

Resume writing tips

Sample Resume

The interview

 

General Tips On Resume Writing

1. Use simple words and keep your sentences short. Avoid wordy descriptions.

2. Use action verbs in the first person to describe your achievements: "I directed" - "I designed" - "I initiated" - "I developed" - "I produced."

3. Provide complete and relevant information on your activities. To make your resume complete without overloading it, use a very positive and concise style. Avoid sentences like: "I may not have much experience, but ..."

4. Make short paragraphs and keep them well spaced.

5. Be objective. Don't exaggerate the importance of the responsibilities you have had. Nobody likes a showoff.

6. When you send a resume by mail, always send an introductory letter as well, a cover letter.

7. Take special care with the presentation of your resume. It should be like a business letter: neat, with properly constructed sentences and, above all, no mistakes in spelling or grammar (have a friend or family member check it over first). Limit your resume to one or two pages (try not to make it more than three).

8. Your introductory letter, cover letter, should be dated and indicate the job in which you are interested.

9. Avoid using adverbs such as rather, slightly, much, fairly and tremendously in front of an adjective. Do not say: "I am fairly experienced in this field." Say instead, "I have _ years of experience in this field."

10. Don't make your resume too flashy. You want it to stand out, but you don't want it to hurt the eyes.

Personal Information On Your Resume

Be aware that you don't have to give personal information which might be considered discriminatory either in your resume or in answering questions during the interview (like your age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual preference).

If you are discriminated against because of your sex, age, ethnic background, religion etc. you can file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. You are protected against discrimination through the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Education and Training

Include:

names and addresses of schools attended - if you are in high school just list the school you are currently attending

certificates, diplomas and awards and the dates on which they were obtained

areas of specialization (areas you excel in)

additional courses you have taken (for example, a drama, art or leadership course)

special training, such as playing an instrument, fixing a car, personal development courses (like anger management, Superhost, time management, stress management)

Work Experience

Use volunteer work, summer jobs, babysitting, paid full-time and part-time jobs. Highlight the activities you feel are most important to the job you are applying for now.

Starting with your most recent job, include:

your job title and the length ot time you were employed (if it was for longer than two months)

name of the employer

a description of the duties you performed

Other Activities

 

to what organisations or associations do you belong?

what certificates or diplomas do you have (Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance, swimming, music, lifesaving etc)

Pastimes and Personal Interests

These are particularly important if they are directly related to the job you are seeking. For example, if you want to work for a music store, indicate that you like music.

Things you could include:

 

any outdoors activities you enjoy

if you are involved in sports

if you write, read or do something creative in your spare time

References

You do not have to give references in a resume. If you decide to give some:

indicate the name, position, address and telephone number of the person concerned

choose your references carefully

have an idea of what they are going to say about you

ask your references beforehand for permission to use their names

choose people from different walks of life who might be able to help you to find a job, not just teachers and former employers. Do not use relatives (if you do make sure to list them as personal references)

 

* If you decide not to give references, simply indicate that you are able to do so on request. Write "References available upon request" at the end of your resume.

There are three basic types of resumes.

1. The functional resume

This type of resume is used by peple who have already demonstrated the skills requested for the job and those who already have a successful track record or career path. It describes the tasks that the person did in the job rather than the job description and titles.

2. The chronological resume

This type of resume describes the historical sequence of job experiences. It is usually used by someone who is well established in a chosen career path and it demonstrates the development of the person through job title, salary and responsibilities.

3. The combined format resume

This type of resume is a functional resume with a selection of your past employment added. Education, dates or employment and personal information, such as non-work-related interests, may or may not be included. This resume may be the best choice if you have extensive experience or if you have a varied and interrupted employment record and need to relate your different skills to a specific job position.

Here's an example of a Chronological Resume, for more examples pick-up a resume book in a book store or at your local library.

Be Prepared

Try to be knowledgeable about the company. Find out how it is structured.

Try to find out what products and services the company offers its customers and where its main offices are located.

Try to know what kinds of jobs are available, the growth rate during the last few month, plans for expansion and major policies.

Read about the job being offered and the tasks and responsibilites involved.

Be confident

Employers like people who:

are confident and poised during the interview

express themselves clearly

are able to sell their qualifications in a realistic and clear way

appear relaxed

Keep Calm

Employers are used to interviews. They learn more about you from your physical being than they do from your answers. The important thing for you to do is to keep calm. First impression's are often decisive in determining the employer's attitude towards you.

Usually, employers are interested in the following:

 

your career plans

your ability to communicate

evidence that you are prepared for the interview

an indication that you have set objectives for yourself

your degree of maturity and your desire to take on responsibility

your ability to solve problems

your ability to think creatively

While you are at the Interview

Listen carefully to find out as much as possible about the job for which you are applying

Find out what kind of manager/supervisor this person will be. Do you like the way he/she behaves and talks? Do you like his/her attitude?

Reminder

Discuss your talents and abilities quietly and in a matter-of-fact way, without being conceited. Remember, you are selling yourself to the employer. You have something to offer the company. Take pride in who you are and how you can contribute.

After the Interview

Many people recommend sending a thank you card to the employer after the interview. I have heard from a couple employers that a thank you card helped them make their decision of who to hire.