Cooperative Education

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR RESUME

RESUME INFORMATION

A. PERSONAL

The first step in writing a resume is to include a header/title with your personal information at the very top of the page. This allows employers to contact you for an interview within their company or business.

The following personal information should be included within your resume:

Full Name (Choose a font size of 16 or larger and bold your name)

Address (Street, City, Province and Postal Code) Note: Ontario=ON and Postal Code had a space between Letter#Letter(space)#Letter#

Phone Number and/or cell number

E-mail Address (ensure it is business appropriate)

Example #1:

Stu Dent

111 Main Street East

Toronto, Ontario

L#L #L#

Home: 905-555-5555 Cell: 416-555-6666

Example #2:

Stu Dent

111 Main Street East, Toronto, Ontario, L#L #L#

Home: 905-555-5555 Cell: 416-555-6666

B. OBJECTIVE or CAREER PLANS

Although it is sometimes thought that this line should be left out of your resume, it will assist you when applying for a specific position.

Job Target: Your job target is the specific field or job title you are seeking. By being specific, you stand out to your future employer who has needs you can fulfill. Be sure to change the title for each resume you hand out.

Examples: Millwright, Lead Hand, Restaurant Manage, Educational Assistant

Objective: Is a statement that indicates what your career goal is. The objective should be short—one to two lines in length that summarizes which position you are looking for. Remember, one career objective may not be suitable for all applications—so change it!

Examples:

To secure a full-time position with (insert company name) where I can gain practical work experience and prepare myself for future studies in the field of (insert educational objective) .

To gain knowledge and expertise/practical experience in the (insert job sector) and determine if (field of study) is an area I wish to pursue in the future.

  1. EDUCATION

Enter the facts about your education:

Start with your most recent then proceed in reverse order (begin with current secondary school education; do not present elementary education).

Include school name, city, marks (?), certifications, degree/diploma, date completed.

List courses of study tailored to the position you are applying for

List special activities or projects

You may include “Professional Development” like First Aid and CPR Training; WHMIS Training; Fall Protection; Fork Lift License

Note: for consistent presentation, hit tab for alignment

Example:

Assumption Catholic Secondary School, Burlington, ON(tab)2006-2009

  • Completed Grade 11
  • Honour Roll Student
  • Science Fair Silver Medal (Grade 10)
  • Courses of study include: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Physical Education (note: this student is applying for a Physiotherapy position)

St. John’s Ambulance, Burlington, ONSeptember 2009

  • First Aid and CPR Certification
  1. WORK EXPERIENCE

Summarize your qualifications for the job that would INTEREST an employer.

Highlights of Skills: There are two types of skills used within this section—hard skills and soft skills:

  • Hard Skills are demonstrated and measured skills
  • Example: Proficient use and knowledge of MS Word and Simply Accounting
  • Soft Skills are characteristics and quality skills
  • Example: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Other Examples:

Proven customer service skills (soft skill)

Write and Speak the French and English language (hard skill)

Ability to work independently and in a team environment (soft skill)

Strong interpersonal skills (soft skill)

Ability to increase sales by over 40% in the automotive division (hard skill)

Remember:

Even if you don’t have work experience, you still have a set of skills that you have acquired through everyday living. These skills are called “transferable skills” which you have acquired in school, at home or in extra curricular activities. They can be transferred to the type of employment you are seeking.

……the next page provides a list of TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS…..

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Some of the following transferable soft and hard skills can be used in your resume:

Communications / Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Communicate with a wide range of people
Bilingual in…
Ability to interpret instructions and requests
Comprehend/understand written material (i.e. MSDS sheets, case notes, and diagrams)
Customer
Service / Ability to work in a fast paced environment
Enjoy working and interacting with customers/children
Professional attitude towards customers satisfaction
Ability to deal with public in high pressure situations
Values / Willing to assume responsibility
Motivated to work cooperatively in a team environment
Respect people and their differences
Honest and trustworthy
Problem Solving / Creative and resourceful in generating new ideas and solving problems
Ability to recognize clients needs and meet them
Anticipate problems and solutions before they arise
Ability to effectively contribute to the resolutions of problems
Organizational
/ Organized and able to prioritize tasks
Strong organizational skills
Planning and sequence a number of overlapping activities
Ability to handle a wide variety of tasks
Money Management / Familiar with operating a cash register
Proficient with handling cash
Excellent personal budgeting skills
Previous fundraising experience
Proficient with Accounting Policies and Computer programs
Teamwork / Work cooperatively with a wide range of people
Work equally well as a team member or independently
Respect the thoughts and opinions of others
Contribute to common goals
Know how to accept instructions and learn from others

D. WORK EXPERIENCE

Your resume must communicate your ability to do the job based on the needs of the company and position you are applying for. A skill or capability is something you know you can do in the future. These are shown through ACTION VERBS on your resume. Check any word that relates to something you can do in your job target area and include it in your resume.

ACTION VERBS:

Technical Skills / Creative Skills / Financial Skills / Helping Skills / Concrete Nouns & Positive Modifiers
Computed
Designed
Devised
Engineered
Fabricated
Maintained
Operated
Overhauled
Programmed
Remodeled
Repaired
Solved
Trained
Upgraded / Designed
Developed
Directed
Established
Fashioned
Founded
Illustrated
Instituted
Introduced
Invented
Originated
Performed
Planned
Revitalized / Allocated
Analyzed
Appraised
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Computed
Developed
Forecasted
Managed
Planned
Projected
Researched / Assisted
Clarified
Coached
Counseled
Developed
Diagnosed
Educated
Facilitated
Guided
Referred / Ability
Actively
Capacity
Competent
Consistent
Proficient
Qualified
Versatile
Management Skills / Communication Skills / Research Skills / Teaching Skills / Clerical/Detail Skills
Administered
Analyzed
Assigned
Attained
Chaired
Contracted
Consolidated
Coordinated
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Improved
Increased
Organized
Oversaw
Planned
Prioritized
Produced
Recommended
Reviewed
Scheduled
Strengthened
Supervised / Addressed
Arbitrated
Authored
Corresponded
Directed
Drafted
Edited
Enlisted
Formulated
Influenced
Interpreted
Lectured
Mediated
Motivated
Moderated
Negotiated
Persuaded
Promoted
Publicized
Reconciled
Spoke
Translated
Wrote / Clarified
Collected
Critiqued
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Extracted
Identified
Inspected
Interpreted
Investigated
Organized
Programmed
Repaired
Remodeled
Solved
Summarized
Systematized
Trained
Upgraded / Advised
Clarified
Coached
Communicated
Coordinated
Developed
Enable
Encouraged
Evaluated
Explained
Facilitated
Guided
Informed
Initiated
Instructed
Persuaded
Set Goals
Stimulated / Arranged
Classified
Collected
Compiles
Dispatched
Executed
Generated
Implemented
Inspected
Monitored
Operated
Organized
Prepared
Processed
Purchased
Recorded
Retrieved
Screened
Specified
Tabulated
Validated

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Begin with your present or most recent employer, your title, start dates (year) of employment. Continue listing from the most recent employer to the least recent—generally you would only include your last 3 or 4 jobs.

Example:

Pet Needs, Burlington Mall, Burlington, ON2005-present

Customer Service Associate

  • Assisted customers with product selection
  • Operated cash register
  • Groomed pets in showroom and for clients
  • Maintained inventory and replenished stock

Fraggle Rock Day Care, Oakville, ONSummer 2006

Child Care Provider

  • Programmed educational activities and games for children
  • Prepared nutritious meals and snacks
  • Supervised children and ensured safety at all times
  • Maintained a clean work environment
  1. VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer experience is just as valuable as any work experience you may have had. These may include special assignments, self-initiated projects, or internships.

JosephBrantHospital, Burlington, ONDecember 2007

Christmas Craft Fair

  • Supervised a table at annual craft fair
  • Responsible for cash receipts
  • Provided customer service

Kidney Foundation of Canada, Burlington, ONFebruary 2007

Canvasser

  • Collected donations and issued receipts
  • Balanced and submitted funds collected
  1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ACHIEVEMENTS

SPECIFIC SKILL AREAS/HIGHLIGHT OF QUALIFICATIONS

What do you have to contribute to the world of work? These may include:

Awards or Scholarships

Academic Skills (proficient in math or a specialized computer program)

Personal Management Skills (that show positive attitudes and behaviour)

Teamwork Skills

Computer Skills

Language Skills

Machinery Operations (related to specific job)

  1. ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS/

EXTRA CURRICULAR/LEISURE ACTIVITES

Here you can demonstrate that you’re a well rounded person.

Sports will show you’re a team player; contributed to championship teams; team captain or assistant; most valuable player award; varsity, rep teams

Music lessons; ability to play an instrument; certificates; grade; theory

Hobbies

Membership in organizations and title/duties (remember this can reveal your ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, etc.)

  1. REFERENCES

Use the phrase “References Available upon Request” at the end of a resume as it displays that you will provide references when asked.

Have a separate sheet of references ready to give the employer at the interview

Ensure you have asked your stated references for permission to use his/her name—call and ask them

For each reference provide the name, title, business name, full professional mailing address, telephone number, fax & email (if available).

Use a variety of references: past employers, teachers, clergy, coaches

Don’t not use family members, peers or neighbours—nepotism=favouritism, bias, preferential treatment!!

For this assignment, compile 2-3 references.

THE FINAL COPY…..

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

TIPS: Employers consider the following when reading the resume of a potential job candidate:

THE IN’S / THE OUT’S
Keep it neat, clear, easy to read
Use a bulleted style format throughout to make it as reader-friendly as possible
Keep it short—1-2 pages
Use exciting action oriented verbs
Highlight transferable skills if you don’t have much work experience. A transferable skills is a skill that can be used throughout any job
Include “Hard” skills (demonstrate and measure skills) and “Soft” skills (skills of character and quality)
Tailor each resume you sent out to match the job you’re applying for
Have someone else proof read it for grammar, spelling, coherence, layout/appearance
Put the most important information first
Use standard fonts, 10-14 point is preferable / Never include your height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, social insurance number, religion or a picture on your resume
Tell the truth and never lie or exaggerate/inflate
Never use personal pronouns such as “I”, “my” or “me” in a resume
Don’t use expressions such as “duties included”, “responsibilities included”, or “responsible for”. These are job descriptive words, not accomplishment-oriented resume language.
Omit old jobs that don’t mean anything
Don’t go fancy with the paper or the font—be consistent in style and presentation.
Hand-written corrections are employer’s pet peeves
A copy (photocopier of poor quality) is a no-no, print off an original with clear print

…….the resume is YOU on paper!!!......

It determines whether you get your “foot in the door” and will be granted a face-to-face interview or not!!