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I Got the Job!5 Tips for Developing a Killer Resume
Penny McKinlay, Communications ConsultantiStock_000002162124
1. Show what you can do
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Build your resume around key words that illustrate your abilities
Policy & Program Development Interpersonal Relations & Group Dynamics Organizational Analysis Market Research & Product Development Cultural Sensitivity
more examples in Appendix A
Be clear about what you have to offer & how it will benefit the employer
Management Skills• Strong team-building skills
• Come to the table with solutions not problems. Identify mutually beneficial solutions by understanding the needs of all the participants
• Provide direction and support to co-workers (e.g. a policy manual clearly outlining staff roles and responsibilities)
• Not afraid of hard work – currently maintaining 30 project files and taking the lead on over half
Include volunteer experience if applicable
Community DevelopmentInitiated the development of a neighbourhood playground by explaining the benefits and rallying residents behind a common goal
Intercultural UnderstandingTaught English as a Second Language in Vietnam for one year as part of a CIDA international development project
Enhanced personal awareness of the demands of living and working in a foreign culture with a different set of cultural norms
Highlight personal strengths
Clinical Knowledge“I reviewed one of my hospital client’s charts and learned that he was on a high dose of sedatives that could affect his gait, balance, reflexes and judgment. As a result, I postponed his exercise session until the following day.” (student with minimal work experience)
Creative Problem-SolvingRecognized as the ‘go-to guy’ who will find solutions to problems (know who to phone and how to phrase the request in order to get the desired result)
2. Provide concrete examples
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Avoid generalizations
Innovation & Change ManagementAchieved significant cost savings through the merger of two administrative departments
Clarified the departmental direction and deliverables Re-defined job descriptions Established a strong customer focus
Market Research & Product DevelopmentDeveloped a wine tasting and culinary day trip for tour, corporate and leisure markets after analyzing market trends and researching regional farms
Employ action verbs
Developed and delivered workshops on job search skills and numeracy
Monitored outcomes (i.e. language skills) and established parameters for evaluating language training provided by government contractors
Built tour market segment from 40 to over 80 international and local companies
3. Tailor your resume to the job
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Use the same terminology as the job ad
SALES16-year track record of success in cultivating clients & promoting salesNew Business Development Generated over $50,000 in gross revenue from a single client in the
first quarter of 2010 Researched needs of local businesses (government, insurance and
software companies, credit unions, etc.) Promoted ongoing year-round business by targeting ESL schools
and sports teams
Add notes of colour that complement the employer’s corporate identity
4. Stand out from the crowd
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Change the format
Include recommendations
“Your professional behavior, strong interpersonal skills and relaxed communication abilities are an asset to your emerging clinical abilities. Your professional abilities were evident as you skillfully managed your time between two placement preceptors and sites.”
(RF, Physiotherapist)
Create a portfolio by highlighting key achievementsSingles Build, Habitat for Humanity What is it? Our goal was to attract more young volunteers to Habitat for Humanity by organizing a build that would only involve volunteers under 30.
What we achieved: Singles Build attracted media attention, new volunteers and new partnerships. After volunteering for the event, a local artist chose Habitat for Humanity as her charity of
choice and worked on various projects with us, including an office mural and a fundraising auction.
What I learned: Clearly identify your audience and focus on their needs and interests. The participants in
the Singles Build welcomed the opportunity to meet and work with other people their own age.
Further information: Habitat Singles Build Facebook page
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING & COLLABORATION“I bridge the disconnect between employees and customers.”Assisted a mature workforce to develop an online presence and to expand their marketing portfolio beyond the Yellow Pages Addressed concerns and found solutions for the problems experienced by a very young, inexperienced workforce, many of whom were still in high school
MARKETING & PROMOTION“Establishing a presence on a zero budget requires creativity.”Identified a lack of business lunch options in the business district
Established a lunch delivery service Introduced and monitored a variety of different low-cost promotional tools to
make local businesses aware of the service Set up a database of over 6,000 customers
Use quotes
5. Pay attention to the details
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Check to make sure the formatting is consistent• Headings & sub-headings• Bullets• Spacing
Double check for spelling and grammatical errors
Worked closely with the hotel restauratuer to maximum
meeting room profitability by planning menus that would
appeal to key client groups
Appendix AKey Words & Skill Sets
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Management & Administration
Project Management
Policy & Program Development
Organizational Analysis
Organizational & Administrative Skills
Administrative Support
Organization & Coordination
Customer Service
Financial Management & Sales
Fund Development
Budget Development
Sales
New Business Development
Market Research & Product Development
Troubleshooting & Change Management
Strategic Analysis
Creative Problem-Solving
Change Management
Innovation
Human Resources
Conflict Resolution
Leadership Development
Cultural Sensitivity
Interpersonal Relations & Group Dynamics
Human Resources Management
Communications
Marketing & Promotion
Media Relations
Communications & Interpersonal Skills
Writing & Editing
Research (Planning, Analysis, Evaluation)
Community Development
Community Engagement & Consultation
Relationship Building & Collaboration
Collaborative Partnerships
Community Leadership
Education & Outreach
Arts, Culture & Education
Gallery & Collection Management
Curatorial Experience
Program Design & Implementation
Curriculum Development & Delivery
Volunteer Training & Development
Small Group Facilitation
