Download - Resumes: How to make yours work for you
Resumes: How to make yours work for
you
Lynn Walsh, Career Advisor
Purpose of a Résumé
• To market and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job
• This is your marketing brochure• Research has shown that most resumes
are looked at for 10 seconds or less so it has to make a good first impression
• Your resume is your career on paper; it is worth doing right!
Step 1: Choosing a Format
Chronological• No major gaps in your employment history• Work history is related and it reflects growth in the field • The chronological resume is primarily comprised of work experience
with a couple of other major headings indicating achievements, education, etc.
Functional• Have skills that were not attained through your work experience or
are not highlighted by using the traditional format• Entering the job market• Re-entering the workforce • Career change and your experience does not relate to your new job
objective
Choosing a Format cont…
Combination (Chrono-functional)
• To include a combination of work and volunteer experience as well as education, achievements and special skills
Step 2: Personal Information
• Use your full name, never a nickname(an initial is optional)
• Name should be bolded, centered or to the right or left (top of page) and larger font
• Include: contact number current mailing address
e-mail address if you check it regularly
Step 3: Job ObjectiveIndicates:
• Position of interest
• Relevant information to position
• Try and be as specific as possible
• Can also be called Career Focus
Step 4: Highlight of Qualifications
• Highlights and summarizes your top selling points (should be tailored to each position)
• Highlight the skills and accomplishments the employer is looking for
• Avoid using general statements. Instead provide pertinent facts about your experience and skills
• Usually 4-6 bullet points
Example
Highlights of Qualifications
• Possess over two years experience organizing fundraising events
• Successfully marketed programs through public service announcements, advertisements and educational newsletters
• Knowledge in program evaluation and providing recommendations for improvement
• Obtained extensive training in marketing and promotions
• Recognized for my talent and ability to build rapport and trust with clients and stakeholders
• Refer to your education in reverse chronological order
• Bold the name of your degree (s)• All education and training is important
and should be included on the resume. It may be listed in another section called Additional Training or Professional Additional Training or Professional DevelopmentDevelopment
• Only include your GPA if it will help (and specify if your GPA is out of 3 or 4)
• Can include Master’s thesis here
Step 5: Educational Background
Education
Masters of Business Administration2004-2007
Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL
• GPA 3.75/4.0
Bachelor of Commerce DegreeJune 2002
Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS• GPA 3.85/4.0
Education Example
Step 6: Work Experience
• List in reverse chronological order and list: year, job title, name of employer (organization / company), city and country
• Focus on skills, leadership roles and accomplishments
• Bold job titles & start each phrase with an action word• E.g. Coordinated the CACEE Conference 2005 vs.
Individual responsible for coordinating the…..
• If you have a lot of short term work then group them together if possible • i.e.. Bartending, waitressing, etc…
Work Experience Example
Employment Experience
Marketing Assistant 2002-2004
Target Marketing, St. John’s, NL• Promoted….• Organized
Lifeguard 1998-2004
Boys and Girls Club, St. John’s, NL• Monitoring…• Guarding….
Step 7: Optional Sections
• Volunteer Experience• Awards and Accomplishments• Research• Conference Attendance• Professional Affiliations• Interests• Presentations• Publications• Additional Training
Tips on References
• Seek approval beforehand• Give references a copy of resume
and job description of position (s) sought
• References are not required on your resume but if not included you should indicate “references available upon request” at the end
• If included, list on a separate page with same header as on resume
Additional Resume Hints
Include name and page number on each page
Always have someone proof read for errors
Use action verbs to highlight responsibilities and accomplishments
Try not to exceed two pages (excluding references)
Leave some white space
Customize each resume for every employer
Additional Resume Hints
Do not include: - age, height, weight, religious/political affiliations, or social insurance number
Avoid paragraphs, use bullet statements
Use bolded headings and consistent spacing and formatting
If you include your email make sure you check the account often and that the address is professional
Invest in an answering machine
Reminders….
• Target the position and employer you are interested in pursuing• Make sure to critique the cover letter & résumé before sending
it out
• No spelling errors• Bold your degree and job title• Keep your cover letter to one page and write about your skills and
qualifications for the job; give specific examples. Resume shouldn’t be any longer than 2 pages
• Do not include personal information on the résumé or cover letter• Focus on your school, previous work experience, skills and
interests
• In North America, a résumé and curriculum vitae (CV) are different. • A résumé is used for job search• A CV presents a complete picture of the breadth and depth of
academic experiences you have accumulated.
Contact: International Student Career Advisor
Lynn WalshCentre for Career Development/International
Student Advisingp: 709-737-8167 or 737-8895
Office Hours:
Mon., Tues. & Fri. (9am – 5pm): Centre for Career Development (CCD), 4th floor of UC
Wed. & Thurs. (9am – 4:45pm): ISA Office, Corte Real