Answer: A resume is a marketing tool used to persuade an employer to invite you for an interview

Transcription

1 What Is A Resume? a marketing tool used to persuade an employer to invite you for an interview a document required to get a job one or two pages that describe you a guarantee to get you a job a formal document stating personal information Answer: A resume is a marketing tool used to persuade an employer to invite you for an interview

2 Top 10 Resume Tips 1. In North America personal information such as sex, age, race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, SIN, should not be included 2. Avoid jargon, and abbreviations that are not well known 3. Avoid lengthy descriptions 4. Qualify your experience by using descriptive adjectives and action verbs (eg. Accurately balanced cash at end of shift) 5. Quantify your experience by noting %, $, and # (eg. Increased sales by 10% as a result of innovative product display) 6. Be consistent in the use of font, alignment, verb tense and person 7. Describe what skills, knowledge, capabilities and personal attributes you used in carrying out your tasks, projects, assignments 8. Avoid using I (eg. designed poster rather than I designed a poster ) 9. Reduce the use of unnecessary words like the, a, an, etc. (eg. organized fundraiser vs. organized a fundraiser) 10. Keep the resume to 1 or 2 pages (1/2 to 1 inch margin all around, size 11 or 12 size font in the body of the resume)

3 What Does An Employer Look For When S/He Is Reading Your Resume? Can you do the job? Measures tangibles such as your skills, knowledge, abilities, experience and background Will you do the job? Measures personal attributes such as your interest commitment, willingness, desire, drive, ambition Will you fit in? Measures personal and work related values eg. do you share relevant values with the organization and/or the work they do?

4 Resume Styles 1. Chronological 2. Functional 3. Combination 4. Electronic

5 1. Chronological Information is in reverse chronological order eg. current job first, then 2 nd last job, then 3 d last, etc. Emphasis is on progression shown in work and education including achievements and accomplishments Illustrates growth and progress in experience and skill acquisition Shows consistent work history that relates directly to next job target Allows for prominent company names or job titles to stand out This format is common in Fortune 500 firms and the public sector

6 2. Functional Clusters information according to certain skills or capabilities, including transferable skills Used to convey groupings of skills/capabilities you have to offer to employers that are suitable to their needs Useful when recent experience does not directly relate to what you want to do next Often used by those changing careers or returning to the work force Can emphasize new knowledge and education acquired to facilitate re-entering the job market Brings together unrelated abilities/positions/skills from a wide variety of experiences Freelancing, consulting, temporary jobs, volunteering, community work, etc.

7 3. Combination Combines elements of the Chronological and Functional Resumes Gives you the opportunity to highlight your skills and accomplishments, but still include historical information about your work and education (documented by a brief chronology) Focus is on introducing skills and capabilities that you have that suit the work you seek Permits flexibility for you to put your information in a format that works for you You have the ability to customize information for specific positions applied for Students with limited or no work history can bring forward achievements, awards, honours, volunteering

8 4. Electronic Maintains the resume content Saved as a Rich Text Format (.rtf) Begins with a keyword summary Consists of up to 60 words or phrases that state specific nouns/adjectives Includes job title(s), job related tasks performed, industry specific terms, skills and knowledge, degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s), interpersonal (soft) skills

9 How To Write A Resume/ Resume Content Personal Information Job Objective Skills Summary / Highlights Of Qualifications / Professional Profile Additional Content Employment History Education

10 Personal Information Name: Legible and professional font style Large font size for emphasis Consider the use of bold and/or CAPITALIZATION Contact Phone Number: A number where you can be reached the majority of the time If not, provide a number that has a voic Address: Avoid using addresses that use nicknames

11 Job Objective First impression of the resume: Employers may not read the whole resume so it is important to make a strong impression from the start State the type of work you are seeking and in what field: Be specific - "part-time sales associate" or "To obtain an internship position as a nursing student within a large oncology department"

12 Skills Summary/Highlights of Qualifications/Professional Profile Inform the employer about yourself and why you are the best candidate State how your experiences and skills can help the employer Some of the examples of the skills and experiences you can include are: Hard Skills (typing, software applications, machinery, languages, driver s license, lab skills, project management, etc.) Soft Skills (teamwork, presentation, self-management, adaptability, motivation, commitment, etc.) Qualifications (years of experience, degrees, licenses, certificates, memberships, awards, etc.)

13 Additional Content Training/Certificates/Licences/Awards Professional Memberships & Affiliations Additional Courses, Seminars, Conferences Related Workshops or Projects Community Projects Languages (that you speak, read and write) Extra-Curricular Activities, Interests, Hobbies Portfolio (to be provided at interview) Publications, Professional Presentations

14 Employment History Can also be called Professional or Work Experience a summary of the jobs you have held, and the general responsibilities and duties performed in those jobs (You may not want to go back farther than 10 years depending on your age and experience.)

15 Education List educational credentials such as colleges/universities attended and degrees/diplomas/certificates earned You can also list relevant courses and/or project work here