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

lwalsh@mun.ca

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