Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing...

14
The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information purposes only and should not be reproduced without permission. July 2013 Resume Advice and Tips

Transcript of Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing...

Page 1: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

The enclosed information was created by Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre staff for general information purposes only and should not be reproduced without permission.

July 2013

Resume Advice and

Tips

Page 2: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Resume Writing Tips

A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for an interview. To be effective, prepare a resume targeted to a specific job, even if you have to change your resume for every position. Emphasize your strongest qualifications as employers scan resumes quickly. Organize your material in such a way that the reader cannot miss your key selling points.

Purpose of a Resume

To get your readers attention

Capture interest

Position yourself against the competition (including those who may be more qualified)

GET AN INTERVIEW!

Choosing a Format Chronological Format The chronological style resume is the most common. With this format, your most recent work experience is listed first; job duties and accomplishments are listed with each position. This resume style works well for job seekers who have continuous employment and relevant work experience. Use Chronological Format if:

Applying to a conservative field or industry (law, accounting, or government)

You have career progression over more than the past five years, and are looking for a similar position

Executive or management candidate

Changing fields (same function, new industry)

Leaving military, performing similar job function

New graduate with experience related to chosen field

Functional Format The functional resume relies on skill-based sections to demonstrate ones strongest selling points and qualifications for a particular job. This resume style is ideal for job seekers who are changing careers or who may not have direct employment experience for their targeted position. Use Functional Format if:

Reentering the workforce (different career) after being unemployed for a few years

Leaving military, pursuing different job responsibilities

Lots of volunteer experience related to chosen field

New graduate with experience unrelated to chosen field

Performed similar responsibilities repeatedly for different employers

Changed jobs often

“Overqualified” and looking for less responsibility Combination Format The combination style resume combines both the chronological and functional format and relies on skills-based sections as well as work experience to focus on ones most important skills relevant to the job posting. This format is effective to take older but impressive accomplishments and positions them in the visual centre of a resume. Use Combination Format if:

You have relevant experience spanning over many years

Executive or management candidate

Have been out of the job market but have the necessary skills

Page 3: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Sections/Headings of a Resume When designing a resume you want important information to standout. Choosing appropriate headings can help to identify key skills. Examples of headings:

Profile/Career Summary

Skills and Abilities/Summary of Qualifications/Highlights

Education/Training

Computer Skills

Experience/Relevant Experience/Employment

Additional Training

Volunteer/Community Involvement

Accomplishments/Awards

References Profile/Career Summary A career profile statement of your qualifications targeted to the job you are applying for is an excellent way to highlight your key qualifications. The resume should show relevant experiences based off of this statement. Skills and Abilities/Summary of Qualifications/Highlights List the skills and transferable points that you have which would make a potential employer want to call you for an interview. This section is the visual centre of a resume. Think about your skills in the following areas:

Computers skills, software, research, written and oral communication

Creativity, project management, problem solving

Analytical, budget/financial, training/facilitation Experience/Relevant Experience/Employment Include the title of your position, the name of the organization, the location of work (city), and the dates you held the position. Describe the most relevant work responsibilities compared to the job ad. Emphasize on achievements using action words to communicate your skills – list the most important and related responsibilities first. Focus on your accomplishments for each position. Focus on money, time and amounts in relation to your accomplishments. Numbers are the only universal language; try to incorporate numbers into your resume. Be careful not to disclose confidential information. Consider the following questions:

How did you save your former employer money?

How did you increase income/production? By how much?

Did you manage a budget? What was the amount of the budget?

Did you train staff? How many? How often?

Did you recruit staff? How many? For what positions? Education/Training This category is particularly important if you have not had a great deal of work experience. If a potential employer will hire you because of your education list it before your experience.

List your most recent educational experience first.

Include degrees, institution(s) attended, special workshops, and seminars if relevant to the position

Page 4: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Volunteer/Community Involvement It is always a good idea to include volunteer experience, especially if the skills you gained will increase the qualifications for the job you are applying for. List volunteer experience using the same format chosen for experience. Accomplishments/Awards Showcasing awards or accomplishments is a great way to make your resume stand out. Employers like people who are high achievers who take on additional responsibilities. References When preparing your resume also prepare a separate reference sheet, which can be submitted at an interview. The list should include: reference name, title, address, contact telephone number, and their connection to you.(i.e. former supervisor) Be sure to ask the reference if they would be willing to be a reference for you prior to mentioning their names to prospective employers. If you have written reference letters from former employers, submit these at an interview – expect the interviewer to call these candidates for a verbal reference.

Final Resume Tips

Adjust your resume to suit specific job/employers

Address your audience. Is your reader interested in every sentence?

Deliver the goods up front, start accomplishment statements with the result and then method used for achieving the result

Never include personal information such as age, social insurance number, marital status, a photograph, salary history or expectation

Ensure your contact information is up to date with a current email address

Type the resume in Arial or Times New Roman in 11or 12 point size for text

Make sure your resume is honest and accurate – never lie!

Use indentations, capital letters, bolding, and bullets appropriately to effectively enhance important information

Be brief, yet accurate, check and double-check all details, especially numbers

Be clear, ask 2 or 3 people to read your resume

Start sentences with action verbs

PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! Let several people including career service staff critique your resume

Page 5: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Tom Smith 3 Lowe Lane

Thamesville, ON N0P 2K0

519-355-5555

Qualifications

Extensive knowledge planning, organizing, and performing landscaping responsibilities

Knowledge of current horticulture practices and modern techniques, materials, and equipment used in

landscape maintenance

Experience with pest and herbicide control techniques

Strong knowledge of safety methods and practices

Great oral and written communication skills

Remarkable ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with

others including the public

Landscaping Experience

Perform physical labour to cut grass, plant flowers, trees and shrubs

Estimate materials, supplies, manpower, and total costs for landscape projects

Prepare contract specifications and quotes for customers

Prepare work schedule, assign the work to various grounds crews according to work orders

Inspect work frequently for, progress, safety, cleanliness, quality of workmanship, and conformance

to plans, specifications, and codes

Maintain necessary personnel and other records related to the assignment

General Labourer Experience

Formed sand moulds to fabricate metal castings, using patterns and match plates, flasks, hand-tools

and power tools

Brushed, dipped, and sprayed solution such as graphite on cores to produce smooth finish

Used chemicals appropriately, applied solution to cores to prevent damage during the firing process

Maintained assigned daily quotas and regularly surpassed them

Experience

AL’s Lawn and Garden 2008-Present Landscaper/Owner 2012 - Present

Michigan Sugar Beets Sorter/General Labourer 2011 - 2012

Various Companies Landscaper 2003 - 2011

Education

Grade 12 Diploma

Worker’s Health & Safety Certificate

First Aid/CPR

Professional Landscaping Course

FUNCTIONAL LANDSCAPING RESUME

Page 6: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

BB OO BB BB AA RR KK EE RR 123 Memory Lane. Thamesville, ON N0P 2K0 Phone: 519-555-0000 [email protected]

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Clean criminal record and drivers abstract

React quickly in emergency situations to prevent catastrophic situations

Concerned for safety, follow safe procedures, both on the road and when loading or unloading

Enjoy driving and have mechanical ability for inspection and minor repairs

Work well with diverse populations and offer excellent customer service

Maintain a high energy level and a strong stamina required for lifting heavy objects and working long

hours

Keep a detailed log book and pride myself on accuracy

Experience hauling various types of trailers including: Flatbed, Grain Hooper, B-Trains, Reefers, and

vans

TRUCK DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Experienced AZ truck driver with over 10 years experience in delivering materials throughout North

America

Good navigation skills and a good sense of direction, exceptional map reading skills, and experience

using GPS systems

Experience driving refrigeration trailers, ensuring proper temperatures of refrigerating system

Safely operate transport truck in all weather conditions and over a wide variety of terrain

Drive truck with capacity greater than three tons to transport materials to and from specified

destinations

Hook up truck & trailer apparatus, perform daily maintenance and complete all paperwork, inspect

and maintain vehicles and supplies

Experience with LTL picking up merchandise at various locations and delivering loads to multiple

destinations

EXPERIENCE

Transport Truck Driver 2011 - present

Perry Transportation Tupperville, ON

Transport Truck Driver 2010 - 2011

Preferred Transport Ltd. Chatham, ON

Transport Truck Driver 2003 - 2010

Bruce R. Smith Ltd. Chatham, ON

EDUCATION

AZ Truck Driver, Ontario Truck Driving School, London, ON 2003

Grade 12 Diploma, John McGregor Secondary School, Chatham, ON 2002

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

FUNCTIONAL TRUCK DRIVER RESUME SAMPLE

Page 7: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Martin Smith 8-129 Minnie Lane Ridgetown, ON N0P 2B0 [email protected] 519-555-5555

Profile

Safety conscious, hardworking individual who enjoys working in factory environments as part of a

team on an assembly line producing quality parts.

Summary of Qualifications

Excellent performance consistency, both in qualitative as well as quantitative sense Responsible and can complete assigned tasks without supervision Able to perform preventative maintenance and maintain equipment Capable of safely operating a wide variety of fork lifts, trucks, and machinery Physically fit, and able to perform repetitive tasks safely to prevent work place injury Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills Detail oriented with excellent time management abilities

Factory Experience

Participated in a team environment on assembly line to produce parts for the trucking industry Communicated with superiors for daily quotas and any pertinent information Operated various power tools and machinery in a factory setting Performed repetitive tasks quickly and accurately Followed company safety regulations, kept work area clean at all times to prevent injury Followed Quality and Performance System (QPS) methodologies in quality, delivery, cost and

productivity Poured metal safely into mould, measured and weighed alloys following specified work assignments

Relevant Experience

GNA Manufacturing Tilbury, ON Factory Labourer 2012 - present Cangro Dresden, ON Food Factory Labourer 2011 - 2012 Ontario Engineered Suspension Blenheim, ON Factory Labourer 2011

Education

Ridgetown District High School Ridgetown, ON Grade 12 Diploma 2009

References Available upon request

FUNCTIONAL FACTORY RESUME SAMPLE

Page 8: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Jennifer Lopaz 1-250 Creek St

Dresden, ON N0P 1M0

Phone: 519-555-5555

Summary of Qualifications

Relevant experience providing excellent customer service

Self-motivated, can work efficiently as a team member or independently

Excellent communication skills and a strong sense of customer service

Demonstrate excellent decision making abilities and have proven problem solving skills

First Aid/CPR Certified

Medical Terminology Knowledge

Punctual, reliable and dependable

Valid driver’s licence, reliable transportation and clean criminal record check

Personal Support Worker Skills

Answer call signals, supply and empty bed pans, bathe, dress and groom patients, serve meal trays, feed or

assist in feeding of patients with menu selection

Provide leisure activities for patients and accompany patients on outside recreational activities and perform

other duties related to patient care

Take patient’s blood pressure, temperature and pulse, report or record fluid intake and output, observe or

monitor patients status and document patient care on charts

Collect specimens such as: urine, feces or sputum as directed by nursing and hospital staff

Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal effectively with both patients and staff

Transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher for treatment or surgery

Carry messages, reports, requisitions and specimens from one department to another

Make beds and maintain patients rooms

Maintain inventory of supplies

Perform routine health-related duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, administering medications under

the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse

Customer Service Experience

Answered telephone professionally and responded to enquiries from customers and investigated concerns

regarding goods, services, and policies

Delivered world class customer service and built customer satisfaction and loyalty

Experience with handling debit, credit and cash transactions

Completed ongoing training to stay abreast of product, service and policy changes

Created positive and cooperative tone with both customers and co-workers

Increased the customer experience by providing information on new products, rate plans, and services through

up selling opportunities

Computer Experience

Excellent computer skills, familiar with windows environment, effective internet research skills, paid attention

to details and input data correctly and accurately

Inputted text and data from documents into spreadsheets, databases or electronic files

Ensured accuracy and strict time lines when inputting data

Identified problems and offered solutions to technical computer problems

FUNCTIONAL CAREGIVER RESUME SAMPLE

Page 9: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

Jennifer Lopaz

Phone: 519-555-5555

Page #2

Employment Experience

VON Chatham, ON

Personal Support Worker 2012 - present

Bayshore Sarnia, ON

Personal Support Worker 2012

YA Canada Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative 2010 - 2012

Tim Hortons Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative 2009

Education

St Clair College Chatham, ON

Personal Support Worker 2011

Ursuline College Chatham, ON

Grade 12 Diploma 2010

Page 10: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

JEFF GORDON 519-555-5555

2857 Victory Lane, Chatham, ON N7P 2D1 E-mail: [email protected]

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Relevant experience providing friendly customer service in the retail industry

Effective ability to work in a fast paced environment

Self-motivated, can work efficiently as a team member or independently

Excellent communication skills and a strong sense of customer service

Demonstrate good decision making abilities and have proven problem solving skills

CALL CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Receive extensive phone training, learn the essential elements needed to carry out a successful phone

conversation

Provide troubleshooting assistance to clients throughout Ontario

Process client requests with speed and accuracy

Experience using customer database

Suggest upgrades and new programming for clients to purchase

WORK EXPERIENCE

2011 - Present Young America Canada Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative

Listen empathetically to callers to determine nature of calls

Confidently handle client inquiries and issues in an efficient and timely manner

Maintain excellent product knowledge, educated on a variety of offers for more than one company

2010 - 2011 Alliance iCommunications Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative

Displayed strong listening skills in determining client’s needs; asked relevant probing questions

Successfully met daily quotas and achieved excellent performance appraisals

Answered inquiries and provided information to customers regarding products

2010 Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Chatham, ON

Telephone Solicitor

Solicited individuals for the purpose of fundraising for the Health Alliance annual “House Calls”

campaign

Calling local residents to obtain their opinions of their healthcare services

2009 - 2010 Tim Hortons London, ON

Customer Service Representative

Served customers with courtesy, patience and a smile

Accurately completed all orders to ensure customer satisfaction

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Lambton Kent District School Board Chatham, ON

Presently enrolled in completing courses through correspondence to achieve Grade 12

COMBINATION CALL CENTRE RESUME SAMPLE

Page 11: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

REBECCA LASZLO 123 Dundas St. W. Toronto, ON M6J 1X2

[email protected] 905-555-0139

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Skillful and dedicated Executive Assistant with extensive experience in the coordination, planning, and support

of daily operational and administrative functions.

Demonstrate capacity to provide comprehensive support for executive-level staff including scheduling

meetings, coordinating travel, and effectively managing all essential tasks

Proven track record of accurately completing research, reporting, information management, marketing,

and business-development efforts within budget requirements

Adept at developing and maintaining detailed administrative and procedural processes that reduce

redundancy, improve accuracy and efficiency, and achieve organizational objectives

Highly focused and results-oriented in supporting complex, deadline-driven operations; able to identify

goals and priorities and resolve issues in initial stages

Proficient in Microsoft Office System, Microsoft Visio®, QuickBooks, Microsoft Windows® operating

system, and Mac operating system; type 90 wpm with complete accuracy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

A. DATUM CORPORATION – Toronto, ON 2000 to Present

Executive Assistant

Provide high-level administrative support to Chief Financial Officer of leading manufacturer of solid-imaging

products and solutions with over $75 million in annual revenues.

Perform a variety of key investor-relations functions, addressing inquiries of current and potential

shareholders, communicating with marketing department regarding investor-relations initiatives, and

maintaining investor database

Collaborate with CFO to oversee distribution of financial releases to NASDAQ. Develop spreadsheets

to improve and inform quality and risk-assessment initiatives

Prepare meeting agendas and carefully monitor all action items

Reduced company travel expenses by $47,000 in first three months of tenure by identifying cost-

effective travel agencies and negotiating contracts with key travel-services providers

Coordinate and host successful client seminars, creating invitations and promotional materials, booking

venues, and selecting guest speakers

ADVENTURE WORKS – Toronto, ON 1997 to 2000

Administrative Assistant

Served as Administrative Assistant for three partners and one principal of financial-services firm with over 75

nationwide locations.

Directed all administrative and project support efforts

Conducted in-depth business-development research and compiled results for review by proposal team

Developed presentations and scheduled all executive-level meetings and travel

Prepared bi-weekly time, expense, and travel reports. Managed invoicing and billing processes

Designed, coordinated, and maintained vital competitive analysis process to facilitate implementation of

aggressive company marketing strategy

Successfully oversaw license renewal for all financial service representatives

CHRONOLOGICAL EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT RESUME SAMPLE – MICROSOFT WORD 2007 TEMPLATE

Page 12: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

REBECCA LASZLO [email protected] 905-555-0139 Page #2

CONTOSO PHARMACEUTICALS – Toronto, ON 1993 to 1997

Regional Assistant

Provide administrative support for five regional medical directors in this successful healthcare organization.

Oversaw a wide variety of administrative functions, supporting all director-level projects and

information-management processes

Compiled and analyzed data from monthly reports to prepare directors’ presentations to executive

management

Developed internal correspondence that facilitated effective communication and transfer of information

between five regional offices

Played key role in design of inter-office intranet, collaborating with Web developers to identify and

define essential components of site functionality

Significantly reduced time required to prepare and distribute quarterly financial reports by spearheading

implementation of electronic reporting procedures

ALPINE SKI HOUSE – Toronto, ON 1991 to 1993

Office Manager

Directed day-to-day office operations, providing fundamental support to company President and team of

consultants.

Managed accounts payable, receivable, and payroll

Oversaw administrative budget. Prepared expense reports and credit card/bank reconciliations

Purchased all hardware and software, performed application upgrades, and trained staff in use of office

computer resources

EDUCATION

ST. CLAIR COLLEGE – Chatham, ON 2000

Executive Assistant Diploma

WALLACEBURG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL 1998

Grade 12 Diploma

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Page 13: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

JEFF GORDON

2857 Victory Lane, Chatham, ON N7P 2D1 [email protected] 519-555-5555

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Relevant experience providing friendly customer service in the retail industry

Effective ability to work in a fast paced environment

Self-motivated; can work efficiently as a team member or independently

Excellent communication skills and a strong sense of customer service

Demonstrate good decision-making abilities and have proven problem-solving skills

WORK EXPERIENCE

2011 – Present Young America Canada Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative

Listened empathetically to callers to determine nature of calls

Confidence in handling client inquiries and issues in an efficient and timely manner

Excellent product knowledge, juggling a variety of offers for more than one company

2010 – 2011 Alliance iCommunications Chatham, ON

Customer Service Representative

Displayed strong listening skills in determining clients needs; asked relevant probing questions

Successfully met daily quotas and achieved excellent performance appraisals

Answered inquiries and provided information to customers regarding products

2009 Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Chatham, ON

Telephone Solicitor

Fundraising for the Health Alliance annual “House Calls” campaign

Calling local residents to obtain their opinions of their healthcare services

2008 – 2009 Tim Hortons London, ON

Customer Service Representative

Served customers with courtesy, patience and a smile

Accurately completed all orders to ensure customer satisfaction

2003 The Kidney Foundation of Canada London, ON

Telephone Solicitor

Fundraising for The Kidney Foundation annual campaigns

Received extensive phone training; taught the essential elements needed to carry out a successful

phone conversation

Organized and sorted incoming donations and prepared tax receipts

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Lambton Kent District School Board Chatham, ON

Presently enrolled in completing courses through correspondence to achieve Grade 12

October 2009 CPR and First Aid Certification

CHRONOLOGICAL CALL CENTRE RESUME SAMPLE

Page 14: Resume Advice and Tips - Chatham-Kent Advice and T… · Resume Advice and Tips . Resume Writing Tips A successful resume is one that persuades a potential employer to call you for

CARRIE MORRIS 1000 King Street W. ● Chatham, ON ● N7M 1N2 519-555-5555 ● [email protected]

Summary of Skills

Over 4 years experience in the food service industry

Enthusiastic with an exceptional attendance record, willing to work shifts

Knowledge of computers, including the internet and e-mail

Excellent problem solving skills, ability to quickly adapt to new situations

Willing and able to accept new challenges, and flexible to take on other duties

Progressed to higher levels of responsibility, independently opened and closed store and balanced books at day end

Customer Service Skills

Able to multi-task in a fast paced environment

Ability to work effectively in both individual and team oriented environments

Excellent interpersonal skills, friendly with ability to identify with customers

Experience operating cash machines, greeting and taking orders from customers Domestic Management Skills

Perform routine housekeeping duties such as washing dishes, dusting, and laundry

Prepare and serve nutritious meals for a family of four

Maintain a safe environment for young children while providing age-appropriate activities to entertain

Planning/Organization Skills

Manage schedules and logistics for a busy family

Balance priorities to create and implement budget

Plan, organize and supervise extra-curricular activities for children

Ability to prioritize and complete tasks with speed and accuracy

Employment History McDonald’s Chatham, ON Customer Service Representative 2011 - 2013

Greeted customers and offered super customer service when received food orders, requested and received payment, and operated cash register

Maintained a clean and sanitized restaurant including: swept and mopped floors, cleaned walls, tables, counters, kitchen and service equipment

Assisted with the preparation of foods requiring short preparation times Dairy Queen Chatham, ON Customer Service 2008 - 2011

Quickly and accurately processed cash, credit and debit transactions

Followed government health and safety regulations to keep a clean and sanitized restaurant environment

Education

Lambton Kent District School Board Chatham, ON Grade 12 Diploma

COMBINATION RESUME SAMPLE