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What is a Resume?

Resume Do's and Don'ts

Kinds of Resumes

Choosing References

Cover Letters

What Not to Put in a Resume or Cover Letter

Links to Resumes

Links to Cover Letters

What is a Resume?

Is there one way to write a resume? No! There are many choices you can make around content and format of a resume. It is not just a matter of filling out a ready made resume format – whether from a printed or on-line source. To market yourself effectively, you need to strategize. Some factors to consider are:

If you cannot answer the above questions, you may want to spend some time getting to know yourself as well as researching the occupation to find out its required skills and abilities. This helps you to determine what is relevant information to put into your resume for the job you are seeking.

Check out kinds of resumes to help you decide which kind you want to use. Each format will have its strengths and weaknesses. Certain employers may often prefer a certain format so you may want to research your prospective employer. The Job Search Handbook has some good examples that you might also want to take a look at.

• write your resume with commonly used language. Technical terms should only be used if they are necessary to describe the work you have done or the education you have.
• use strong action words to describe your skills/experience. Use short, bulleted, point form statements, not sentences.
• clearly set off headings/sub-headings and large margins with lots of white space.
• outline your accomplishments.
• use a computer and effects such as bolding and underlining.
• print your resume with a quality laser printer or have copies printed on a high-quality photocopy machine
• use white or light coloured (cream, grey, or ivory for example) 81/2 x 11 bond paper. Stay away from flashy colours or odd sizes.
• staple the pages of your resume. Don't bind it or put it in any type of folder. include a short and simple cover letter.
• proof-read! Avoid any typos or grammatical errors. Read it out loud. Have someone else check it a second and third time.
• keep your resume two or three pages in length ( note: there may be exceptions where longer resumes may be the norm – do your research!).
• be honest.

Don't:

• Don't use the word "I", write in the third person.
• Don't use abbreviations except those that are well known.
• Don't present the information scattered around the page, BE ORGANIZED.
• Don't use long paragraphs and sentences. This takes too long to say too little.
• Don't submit a resume that is poorly typed and printed and that is hard to read. Your resume will look unprofessional and so will you.
• Don't give only the bare essentials of dates and job titles. Tell them what you did; they want to see how you made a contribution to your previous place of employment, especially in the last 5-10 years.
• Don't include personal information: height, weight, sex, health, marital status are not needed and should not be included on today's resumes.
• Don't use fancy typesetting, binders, photographs or exotic paper. This confuses the reader. Clean and simple is best.
• Don't lie. You can be fired for making false statements on your resume. Besides a resume is supposed to represent you and the skills you have, not someone else's.

There are a number of different resume formats that can be chosen. In choosing which format to use, you need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each format and then choose the format that works best for you. Your strategy as to what to include and how to include can be critical to you getting an interview.

Chronological Resumes

Characteristics:

Use it when:

Avoid it if you have:

Sample #1 Chronological Resume

Functional Resumes
Characteristics:

Use it when:

Sample #1 Functional Resume

Other Resume samples

Combination Resume
Characteristics:

Use it when:

Sample #1 Combination Resume

Electronic Resumes
The SaskWork Guide provides you with excellent information on Electronic Resumes. You will also find tips on doing electronic job searchs and the appropriate way to e-mail your resume and cover letter to a potential employer.

Links to Resumes

There are many excellent on-line links for information on creating resumes. However do not forget to check out excellent print resources at your library, school or local career centre. You may even want to sign up for a resume workshop or seek individual help from a resume writing professional.

Here are some of our top on-line picks:

Resumes– Creative Job Search Manual – American
This site offers basic principles and strategies of writing resumes. Includes information on resume formats as well as list of action verbs.

Resumes & Cover Letters – Youth - City of Calgary
Topics on this site include: purpose of a resume, what information to both include and omit on a resume, three basic resume formats, twelve quick resume tips and how to choose references.

Other good sites include: