RESUMESWhat is a resume?

What are the main categories on a resume? What do you put on a resume?What should you tell employers about yourself?

What are resumes used for?

A resume is a short point-form document that you give to employers (1-2 pages in length).

It tells them about your work experience, education and skills.

Employers will expect you to have a resume.

There are lots of experiences, skills and interest areas that you can put on a resume even if you do not have a lot of work experience.

A Resume is….

Resume Do’s

Your resume is a demonstration of your ability to handle w ritten communication.

- Use a lot of action verbs like “created”, “designed” and “achieved”.

- Your resume must be word processed and printed on a laser printer.

- Compose a clearly stated Job Objective, using a minimum number of words.

- Avoid using “I” – Avoid first-person pronouns (I, we) - do not say “I am intelligent…, try saying “completed three major research projects.

- Use indented and “bulleted” statements with no punctuation at the end of these bulleted statements – avoid using different bullet types – stick to one type - avoid using long sentences

- Use specific statements; include quantities where they enhance the description. For example “worked as camp counselor” is vague: “supervised 6 children on a canoe trip” is more specific.

- Proofread it carefully. It annoys employers to find spelling and grammar errors. Many assume that if you are careless on your resume, you will be careless on the job, and thus, they will not even interview you.

- Use consistent font throughout the resume such as: Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Tahoma.

- Ensure each “section” has the same format and layout.

- Use consistent spacing throughout your resume.

- Use spell check properly – no spelling mistakes.

- Have someone else check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and overall aesthetic impact (does it “look good” at a glance).

- Keep it brief (1 or 2 pages is the accepted maximum plus references* on a separate page).

- References often on a third page*- be sure your name is at the top of this page.

- Have 3 references and get permission from your references before using their names.

Do not include sensitive information such as bank account information, SIN.

Resume Don’ts

- Don’t go overboard with jargon. Remember that people do not always use terms the same way.

- Don’t list relatives as references.

- Don’t put resume in a fancy binder or folder.

- Don’t forget your phone number, area code, and an e-mail address.

- Don’t include personal statistics such as gender, health, height, weight or religion.

- Don’t include mailing address of prior employers in the body of the resume (city and province are sufficient).

- Don’t include salary information in your resume.

- Avoid abbreviations. They are informal and not universal.

1) Personal Information - Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address 2) Job Objective 3) Personal highlights, skills, awards 4) Employment experience (relevant experience) 5) Volunteer Experience 6) Education 7) Interests / Activities 8) Reference Statement (References Available Upon Request)

**Reference list should be included on a separate page not with actual resume

What Should be Included on a Resume?

Your name, written in full

Your address, written out in full, without abbreviations.

Your home or cell phone number with area code and a contact number for messages if you don't have an answering service.

Personal Information

Personal information Homer J. Simpson 14 Evergreen Lane Springfield, Ontario NON O20 Tel: 519-287-4566 hotstuff@hotmail.com

WRITE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE WORKSHEET

In one sentence, describe your job objective.

This tells the employer exactly what type of work you're looking for.

Try to link your objective to the job you're applying for.

Job Objective

To obtain a position as a mattress tester.

WRITE YOUR JOB OBJECTIVE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE WORKSHEET

Job Objective

List the special abilities and skills that relate to the job you're applying for.

They can be from paid work, volunteer experience school and even hobbies.

You have more skills than you think - even if you've never worked at a job before.

Don’t forget transferable skills.

Personal Highlights & Skills

Personal Highlights & Skills

General Skills• Punctual • Positive • People person

Specific Skills• Sleep experience • Mattress expert • Customer service skills

WRITE YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS AND SKILLS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE

WORKSHEET

• List your education, starting with the most recent and working backwards.

• Include the name and city for each high school you attended (your areas of interest and the years you have completed.)

• Don’t include elementary school.

• Certificates or diplomas should also be listed, including those for mini courses like a computer or software course, first-aid, small engine repair, etc.

• Don’t forget all those SHSM certifications!

Education

Springfield High 1990 Received High school diploma

WRITE YOUR EDUCATION IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON THE WORKSHEET

Education

List the companies you have worked for

List the locations (city, province)

Add the dates you worked for each job or volunteer position.

Start with the most recent and work backwards

Outline the type of duties you carried out at each job.

Provide no more than 5 duties for each job.

Use actions words and quantities

For example …….◦ Babysat two preschool children twice a week.◦ Prepared daily meals and snacks.

Volunteer and Work Experience

Burns Nuclear Power Plant Foreman 1998 to present

Tasks Performed Remove hazardous waste First aid treatment Repair hazard suits Train employees

Moe’s Bar Server 1996 to 1998

Tasks Performed Served Drinks Cleaned bar Cash duties Closing up

Work Experience

Springfield Zoo/Cage Cleaner 1994 to 1996

Springy Orphanage/Diaper Changer 1990 to 1994

WRITE YOUR VOLUNTEER AND WORK EXPERIENCE INFORMATION IN THE SPACE

PROVIDED ON THE WORKSHEET

Volunteer Experience

Outline a few of your interests and activities.

This gives them an idea of what kind of person you are.

Try to mention activities related to the job you are applying for.

Interests and Activities

Hanging out at Moe’s Tavern

Spending time with his family

Travelling

Rod and Gun Club

WRITE YOUR INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON

THE WORKSHEET

Interests and Activities

Use this section to include such things as the languages you speak, software programs you know, etc.

Include sports awards and honour roll etc.

You can include certificates you have earned.

You may add some of these items under Interests or Education instead.

Accomplishments

Citizen of the Year - 2000 Nuclear Waste Disposal Training – 2002 Neighbourhood Watch – 2000-2013 Parent Council – Springfield Elementary 2008-present

WRITE YOUR AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED

ON THE WORKSHEET

Accomplishments

Here is what Homer’s Resume Would Look Like….

Do the Quiz at the end of the Resume Worksheet Handout

Take up the answers and discuss

CONTINUE TO THE NEXT SECTION ON REFERENCES

Resume Quiz

Go to the References section of your WorksheetContinue to fill in the blanks.

REFERENCES

A reference is someone that an employer can contact to find out more about you and your work ethic.

References should not be included in your resume, but you should have them ready on a separate page.

Type the names, job title, company, city and phone numbers of up to three references on a separate piece of paper. Email address may also be

Your reference list should have the same headings and font as your resume.

Get permission to use them as a reference before you give their names.

If you can, give your reference an idea of the type of job you are applying for.

References

Someone from your school (teacher, guidance counsellor, coach);

Someone you've worked for (summer, part-time or volunteer employer);

Someone you've worked for on a casual basis (babysitting, shovelling snow, delivering papers);

Someone who is a friend of the family and can give a personal reference

Who Can be a Reference?

Apu Naahshpeemapetilon Owner Qwik-E-Mart 519-679-4321

 Seymour Skinner Principal Springfield High School 519-789-3456

Ned Flanders Neighbour 519-764-9876

WRITE YOUR REFERENCES IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ON YOUR WORKSHEET

References

Here is what Homer’s References Would Look Like….

Name Street address City, Ontario

POSTAL CODE (pho)ne-number

References Personal Name Title Place they work City, Ontario Phone number email Educational Name Title School they work at City, Ontario Phone number Email Employment Name of former employer Title Place they work City, Ontario Phone number email

Jane Career 115 Cranston Street Waterloo, Ontario

N2K 1J7 (519) 740-6543

References Personal Mrs. Cathy Paterson Sewing Teacher St. David C.S.S. Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3X5 (519) 885-1340 ext. 2341 Educational Ms. Judy Johnson Business Teacher St. David C.S.S. Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3X5 (519) 885-1340 ext. 2651 Volunteer Mr. William Jones Volunteer Supervisor Habitat for Humanity 45 Ross Street Cambridge, Ontario N1W 2T2 (519) 623-0806

Suzie Student 123 Rose Street _ Kitchener ON _ N2N 2N2

suzie@collegiate.ca _ 519.555.1123

Summer Camp Counsellor-in-Training

References:

Mr. Tony Freeman Manager Canadian Tire Cambridge, Ontario N1R 2G0 (519) 621-8180

Mrs. Sabrina Smith Construction Supervisor Habitat For Humanity Waterloo, Ontario N2Z 3T1 (519) 885-4565

Mr. Jack Jones Technology Teacher Monsignor Doyle C.S.S. Cambridge, Ontario (519) 622-1290