Writing a Resume. 1. Begin with a job target. The best resumes are customized to a particular job and company. 2. Find out what the employer needs.

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1 Career Skills Learning Centre Writing a Resume 1. Begin with a job target. 2. Find out what the employer needs. 3. Create an objective. *optional section* 4. Highlight your key strengths. 5. Choose a resume format. The best resumes are customized to a particular job and company. Highlight important details and key words from the job posting experience, skills, education required so you can show in your resume how you match those requirements. Use the specific job title, employer s name and what you will bring to the position in the Objective or in a brief personal statement near the top of your resume. You have 10 seconds and the top quarter of the page to grab the employer s attention. A Profile section gives the employer a snapshot of four to six job-related strengths you can offer. Start with your strongest, most relevant qualification. The section can also be called Highlights or Summary of Qualifications. A chronological format highlights work experience related to the job and steady employment. It is traditional and usually preferred. A functional format, which emphasizes skills acquired from multiple jobs, suits a person changing careers or with a history of seemingly unrelated jobs. In both formats, relevant work and education from outside Canada should definitely be included. Chronological Format Start with Work Experience or Education, depending on which is strongest. A recent grad might put Education first. In each section, list the most recent information and work backwards. Functional Format Start with Relevant Skills. Emphasize 3-4 jobrelated skills, e.g. Customer Service Skills, with specific details illustrating your abilities. Work Experience and Education follow. In Education, list other training or education besides VCC studies related to the job, e.g. First Aid Certificate. List the credential, institution, location and completion date. If you graduated, put only the year of graduation. Incomplete education is all right if it strengthens your resume, e.g. 1 st year university studies. In that case, put the start and end dates. Edit Work Experience to emphasize your highest level of competence and skills related to the job. Unpaid, but related experience, can be included in other sections such as Practicum Experience or Volunteer Experience. In Chronological Format, use powerful action verbs to detail job responsibilities and achievements In Functional Format, list only the job title, employer, location and dates. 6. Check your resume. Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, format, and typos. Have someone read it over. A Learning Centre tutor is happy to help! Authored by the by Learning Emily Simpson Centre Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes.

2 Chronological Resume Template 1: Separate Work, Volunteer, and Practicum Experience. Education first recent graduate Name Address Phone OBJECTIVE: A particular position at your company, where I can contribute x [optional] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Number of years experience Education/Training Key skills or qualities Personal work values Computer Skills Languages spoken Limit to 4-6 highlights. List your strongest qualifications first. Include at least 2-3 of your soft skills linked to the job: team work, communication, etc. Computer skills or languages may not be relevant for every job. WORK EXPERIENCE [Could also be called Professional Experience ] Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE Health Sciences use a practicum experience section. Practicum Type Start to End Month Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE [List volunteer experience if it is job-related] Volunteer Start to End Year Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results Need to add more information? Use other sections like AFFILIATIONS or AWARDS. Don t include references in your resume, but have a list ready if you are called for an interview. Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes. 2

3 Name Address Phone Chronological Resume Template 2: Combined Work and Volunteer Experience OBJECTIVE: A particular position at your company, where I can contribute x [optional] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Number of years experience Education/Training Key skills or qualities Personal work values Computer Skills Languages spoken Limit to 4-6 highlights. List your qualifications first. Include at least 2-3 of your soft skills linked to the job: team work, communication, etc. Computer skills or languages may not be relevant for every job. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE If your work/volunteer experience is more relevant than education, list it first Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results (Volunteer) Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results OTHER EXPERIENCE Other experience can be used to explain gaps in employment history if you held jobs not related to the position you re applying for Start to End Year Action verb(s) with task(s) and positive result(s) Use correct verb tense, emphasize job-related tasks and specific results A one or two page resume is standard. The resume length depends on the extent of your relevant experience and achievements. Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes. 3

4 Jerry London 123 Alpha Street Burnaby, BC V1A 2B Chronological Resume Example Dynamic administrative assistant seeking position in Beta Corporation, where I can use my office management, communication, and accounting skills to assist the company in serving clients efficiently PROFILE Exceptional results in the Administrative Assistant Certificate Program at Vancouver Community College, including an award for academic excellence Over three years of administrative experience in bookkeeping and data entry Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Sage Simply Accounting, typing speed 65 WPM Results-oriented team player with strong problem-solving and organizational skills Fast learner with strong work ethic and exceptional time management skills Fluent in English and French Administrative Assistant Certificate Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC Received Clairborne Academic Excellence Award, selected out of 50 students First Year University in Liberal Arts Langara College, Vancouver, BC RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Bookkeeper Florex Management, Burnaby, BC Process all accounts and balance books monthly to ensure accuracy using Sage Prepare bi-weekly payroll for ten employees and submit taxes to meet deadlines Administrative Assistant Practicum Alouette Accounting, Richmond, BC Directed and scheduled clients to help maintain and build client base Processed tax and legal documents according to client needs Tax-Preparer (Volunteer) Vancouver Senior Services, Vancouver, BC Prepared 40 tax returns and provided courteous, warm service to every senior Data-Entry Clerk ABC Deliveries, Red Deer, AB Prepared billings and cheques using Sage for quick turnaround present January 2015 February Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes. 4

5 Functional Resume Template Name Address Phone OBJECTIVE: A particular position at your company, where I can contribute x [optional] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Number of years experience Education/Training Key skills or qualities Personal work values Computer Skills Languages spoken Limit to 4-6 highlights. List your strongest qualifications first. Include at least one soft skill : team work, communication, etc. Computer skills or languages may not be relevant for every job. RELEVANT SKILLS List 3-4 job-related skills with 2-3 examples to show your suitability for the particular position. Examples should be clearly transferable to the particular position Skill Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Skill Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Skill Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details Example demonstrating ability and/or experience including details If your education is more relevant than work experience, list it first WORK EXPERIENCE List jobs only with title, company, location and dates Start to End Year Start to End Year Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes. 5

6 Functional Resume Example Jane Montana 452 Beta Street Coquitlam, BC V7K 4P9 (604) OBJECTIVE: Assistant Manager at Trends Clothing, where I can lead staff and increase sales through my related knowledge and experience in retail and fashion PROFILE Over four years of progressive experience in busy retail enterprises Goal-driven leader with ability to prioritize and problem-solve in fast-paced environments Passionate and knowledgeable about fashion trends Leadership Certificate in progress at Vancouver Community College Proficient in MS Office Suite Fluent in English and German RELEVANT SKILLS Administrative Promoted to head cashier from retail clerk in 8 months Balanced books, made deposits, and prepared monthly sales reports Scheduled and supervised up to 12 cashiers to ensure adequate coverage Developed team-building, coaching, and managing change skills in first year of Leadership Certificate Program Customer Service Increased sales by 10% through effective sales techniques and excellent customer relations using a friendly, courteous manner Handled all customer requests and resolved complaints to customer satisfaction Mentored 3 new employees on customer-focused care skills Fashion Fashion-savvy with up-to-date knowledge of popular trends Advise clients in fashion selection for body-shape and flattering colours Experience with new lines of accessories from major designers, including Christian Dior Computer Skills Expert in MS Office suite Typing speed of 60 wpm Leadership Certificate, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC present Colour and Wardrobe course, Vancouver, BC 2013 WORK HISTORY Sales Specialist, Jezebel s Accessories, Burnaby, BC present Head Cashier, Dynamo Supermarket, Coquitlam, BC Retail Clerk, Dynamo Supermarket, Coquitlam, BC Student review only. May not be reproduced for classes. 6