1. Tips to Create a Marketable Resume
Resume Guide
Tips to Create a Marketable Resume

2. A Resume is … A ‘key’ which opens the door to an interview
Your introduction
Make a ‘good’ first impression

3. Goal
Keep the needs of the employer who will be reading your resume in mind
Consider what he/she is looking for in a candidate
Employers typically spend only 5 to 20 seconds ‘scanning’ each resume – give them a reason to read yours

4. Basic Strategy
Make it easy for the reader to pick out the skills/attributes they are looking for by:
creating appropriate categories, and using underlining, boldfacing or capitalizing, and
presenting relevant experience/skills higher on the page

5. Fact The resume does not get you a job
The resume is an employer's tool for eliminating candidates rather than a candidate's tool for gaining access to the company

6. A Solid Resume … Is completely honest
Presents your most important data first
Emphasizes your assets (skills)
Utilizes white space for a consistent format
Is brief, concise, and easy to read
Avoids the use of “I,” “me” and “my”
Is free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
Is limited to a maximum of two pages; preferably one page

7. Market Your Skills Your resume is a sales tool
Emphasize your successes and unique strengths
Focus on your accomplishments and contributions rather than your job responsibilities

8. Do
Create a good first impression by highlighting skills and abilities appropriate to the position
Use active language (power words) to spice up your resume
Choose a pattern of spacing, a method (order) of presenting information or a format of highlighting and be consistent throughout
Use simple, clear language
Avoid long paragraphs, consider bullet statements
Omit all pronouns and unnecessary articles such as “a”, “an”, and “the” wherever possible

9. Do Make your resume graphically presentable
Headings, spacing, underlining, and bold type all add emphasis
Present information in reverse chronological order within each category
Start by listing your most recent education and work experiences first
Check grammar
Misspelled words and poorly constructed sentences communicate negative impressions about a candidate
Make certain you have used consistent verb tense throughout the resume.
Ensure that your resume is neat and visually appealing. Choose high quality paper in conservative colors

10. Do Not Include a photograph (unless specifically requested)
Include the following inappropriate personal information:
Age, height, weight, race, religious affiliation, salary expectations
Use ‘I’ statements
Include references

11. Common Mistakes
General objectives – it is obvious your goal is to obtain the position you are applying for
Not tailoring your resume for a specific position
Failing to list your qualifications and skills in an order relevant to the reader’s interest
Including inappropriate personal information
Description statements which are too wordy and not result-oriented
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors

12. More Common Mistakes
Failure to maintain format / spacing / punctuation consistency
Use of a font which is too small or too ‘artsy’
Using coloured or ‘deco’ paper
Too busy; not using enough white space
Too lengthy - more than two pages
Listing references

13. Format / Layout
Your resume should be brief, well organized, and neatly printed on 8-1/2” X 11” white or off white paper
Use a one inch margin on all sides
The body of your resume should be written in a 10, 11 or 12 point business font (e.g. Arial, Verdana, Tahoma or Times New Roman)
The resume format you choose should highlight your strengths and de-emphasize your weaker areas

14. Personal Information
The only required information is your name, address, telephone number, and
No other personal information should be included on a resume
Your contact information should be readily visible (on each page) and specify your:
Name
Street address
Telephone number
address – use a professional address even if it means creating a new one

15. Objective
Including an objective is optional; it may be stated in the cover letter rather than the top of the resume
If used it must be relevant to the position rather than general
Should be brief and concise

16. Education
Include high schools attended: institution name, city, province/state, and date of graduation (if relevant)
You may also include areas of specialization (e.g. SHSM, Apprenticeship program, etc.), honors, awards, and special training, courses
Do not include any education previous to high school unless it is relevant

17. Work Experience Describe your most recent job experience first
Include both paid and non-paid experience (internships, part-time jobs, leadership roles in clubs/organizations, etc.)
Identify:
The company name, city, state, and dates of employment (e.g. Feb 2010 – Jan 2011 or Jul 2010 – Present)
Your job title

18. Work Experience
Provide detailed information about your experience that relates most to the vocational opportunity you are seeking
Where possible, employ strong action words which focus on the result of your endeavours / accomplishments rather than your actual job responsibilities
Use bullets – do not write paragraphs

19. Power Words
‘Power Words’ are strong, action words which evoke confidence in your abilities
Achieved
Adapted
Advised
Assembled
Created
Designed
Developed
Directed
Equipped
Established
Evaluated
Generated
Initiated
Managed
Operated
Organized
Persuaded
Planned
Processed
Researched
Sold
Solicited
Supervised
Trained

20. Additional Skills and Qualifications
Additional skills and qualifications include:
Qualifications with equipment/tools
Licenses
Certificates
Language ability
Computer skills
Travel
Work that has been published
Awards
Other achievements relevant to your career objective

21. Volunteer Experience
Identifying your volunteer experience is just as important as your work experience
Identify:
The company name, city, state, and dates of employment (e.g. Feb 2010 – Jan 2011 or Jul 2010 – Present)
Your job title
Your contributions

22. Extra-Curricular Activities
Include memberships, athletic teams, clubs/organizations, community involvement, and anything else that is related to your career objective or reveals something unique about yourself
This section could also be titled ‘Interests’ to encompass data of a general nature not related to a specific career objective

23. References DO NOT include references on your resume
Under references state ‘References available upon request’
List 3-5 references on a separate sheet of paper
Include the name, title, organization, association (how you know them), telephone, and address for each reference
References can e almost anyone (former employer, supervisor, co-worker, teacher, coach, etc.)
To be of real value a reference should be familiar with your skill set/work habits

24. References That Work Choose your references with care
Make certain you obtain permission from each person before using their name as a reference
It is a good idea to make sure you know what a reference will say about you ‘before’ you use them
Where possible dovetail what a reference might say about you into your interview responses