Tips to Create a Marketable Resume Resume Guide Tips to Create a Marketable Resume

A Resume is … A ‘key’ which opens the door to an interview Your introduction Make a ‘good’ first impression

Goal Keep the needs of the employer who will be reading your resume in mind Consider what he/she is looking for in a candidate Employers typically spend only 5 to 20 seconds ‘scanning’ each resume – give them a reason to read yours

Basic Strategy Make it easy for the reader to pick out the skills/attributes they are looking for by: creating appropriate categories, and using underlining, boldfacing or capitalizing, and presenting relevant experience/skills higher on the page

Fact The resume does not get you a job The resume is an employer's tool for eliminating candidates rather than a candidate's tool for gaining access to the company

A Solid Resume … Is completely honest Presents your most important data first Emphasizes your assets (skills) Utilizes white space for a consistent format Is brief, concise, and easy to read Avoids the use of “I,” “me” and “my” Is free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors Is limited to a maximum of two pages; preferably one page

Market Your Skills Your resume is a sales tool Emphasize your successes and unique strengths Focus on your accomplishments and contributions rather than your job responsibilities

Do Create a good first impression by highlighting skills and abilities appropriate to the position Use active language (power words) to spice up your resume Choose a pattern of spacing, a method (order) of presenting information or a format of highlighting and be consistent throughout Use simple, clear language Avoid long paragraphs, consider bullet statements Omit all pronouns and unnecessary articles such as “a”, “an”, and “the” wherever possible

Do Make your resume graphically presentable Headings, spacing, underlining, and bold type all add emphasis Present information in reverse chronological order within each category Start by listing your most recent education and work experiences first Check grammar Misspelled words and poorly constructed sentences communicate negative impressions about a candidate Make certain you have used consistent verb tense throughout the resume. Ensure that your resume is neat and visually appealing. Choose high quality paper in conservative colors

Do Not Include a photograph (unless specifically requested) Include the following inappropriate personal information: Age, height, weight, race, religious affiliation, salary expectations Use ‘I’ statements Include references

Common Mistakes General objectives – it is obvious your goal is to obtain the position you are applying for Not tailoring your resume for a specific position Failing to list your qualifications and skills in an order relevant to the reader’s interest Including inappropriate personal information Description statements which are too wordy and not result-oriented Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors

More Common Mistakes Failure to maintain format / spacing / punctuation consistency Use of a font which is too small or too ‘artsy’ Using coloured or ‘deco’ paper Too busy; not using enough white space Too lengthy - more than two pages Listing references

Format / Layout Your resume should be brief, well organized, and neatly printed on 8-1/2” X 11” white or off white paper Use a one inch margin on all sides The body of your resume should be written in a 10, 11 or 12 point business font (e.g. Arial, Verdana, Tahoma or Times New Roman) The resume format you choose should highlight your strengths and de-emphasize your weaker areas

Personal Information The only required information is your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail No other personal information should be included on a resume Your contact information should be readily visible (on each page) and specify your: Name Street address Telephone number Email address – use a professional email address even if it means creating a new one

Objective Including an objective is optional; it may be stated in the cover letter rather than the top of the resume If used it must be relevant to the position rather than general Should be brief and concise

Education Include high schools attended: institution name, city, province/state, and date of graduation (if relevant) You may also include areas of specialization (e.g. SHSM, Apprenticeship program, etc.), honors, awards, and special training, courses Do not include any education previous to high school unless it is relevant

Work Experience Describe your most recent job experience first Include both paid and non-paid experience (internships, part-time jobs, leadership roles in clubs/organizations, etc.) Identify: The company name, city, state, and dates of employment (e.g. Feb 2010 – Jan 2011 or Jul 2010 – Present) Your job title

Work Experience Provide detailed information about your experience that relates most to the vocational opportunity you are seeking Where possible, employ strong action words which focus on the result of your endeavours / accomplishments rather than your actual job responsibilities Use bullets – do not write paragraphs

Power Words ‘Power Words’ are strong, action words which evoke confidence in your abilities Achieved Adapted Advised Assembled Created Designed Developed Directed Equipped Established Evaluated Generated Initiated Managed Operated Organized Persuaded Planned Processed Researched Sold Solicited Supervised Trained

Additional Skills and Qualifications Additional skills and qualifications include: Qualifications with equipment/tools Licenses Certificates Language ability Computer skills Travel Work that has been published Awards Other achievements relevant to your career objective

Volunteer Experience Identifying your volunteer experience is just as important as your work experience Identify: The company name, city, state, and dates of employment (e.g. Feb 2010 – Jan 2011 or Jul 2010 – Present) Your job title Your contributions

Extra-Curricular Activities Include memberships, athletic teams, clubs/organizations, community involvement, and anything else that is related to your career objective or reveals something unique about yourself This section could also be titled ‘Interests’ to encompass data of a general nature not related to a specific career objective

References DO NOT include references on your resume Under references state ‘References available upon request’ List 3-5 references on a separate sheet of paper Include the name, title, organization, association (how you know them), telephone, and e-mail address for each reference References can e almost anyone (former employer, supervisor, co-worker, teacher, coach, etc.) To be of real value a reference should be familiar with your skill set/work habits

References That Work Choose your references with care Make certain you obtain permission from each person before using their name as a reference It is a good idea to make sure you know what a reference will say about you ‘before’ you use them Where possible dovetail what a reference might say about you into your interview responses