Sir Winston Churchill Cooperative Education

Resume Guide

The Resume

The major purpose of the resume is to get a job interview. Unlike the application, the resume is designed by you to highlight your strongest points. You can also send it to a broader range of potential employers, and thus expand your job search.

Even when applying for trade and hourly positions, a short resume can give you a competitive advantage. A well designed resume does a number of things:

Paints a positive and factual picture of YOU

Sets a positive tone for the interview

Guides the interviewer in what to ask

Influences others who approve the hiring decision

Types of Resumes

Before writing a resume, you first need to choose an appropriate format. Format refers to the type of information you include about yourself and the order in which it appears. There are three basic resume formats: chronological, functional and a combination of the two.

CHRONOLOGICAL

The chronological is the most common resume format. It lists your most recent job at the top of the page, then continues down to your earliest job. Chronological resumes can range from a simple career summary to a more elaborate description of work responsibilities. This format is effective when you have a continuous employment history and your past experience relates directly to the positions for which you are applying.

FUNCTIONAL

The functional format highlights your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. It lists things you're good at and things you've accomplished at the top of the page, then summarizes the jobs you've held at the end. The functional format is effective when you are switching fields or industries.

COMBINATION

The combination resume uses aspects of both the chronological and functional formats. It lists your jobs from most recent to earliest, then highlights responsibilities and accomplishments within each job listed. This combined approach is effective when you have held several jobs with significant responsibilities and accomplishments.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A RESUME

Type the resume on 8 ½ x 11" plain white, cream, grey or ivory bond paper (un-punched).

The resume should not exceed two typed pages.

Use full capitalization for headings and company names.

Write all words and numbers in full. Do not use abbreviations.

Write in third person. Try to avoid using "I" when possible.

For education, work experience and volunteer experience, write in the order of most recent to least recent.

DO NOT include personal data such as: age, health, height, weight and your social insurance number. This information does not need to be included on the resume.

8. References are people whom you feel would recommend you for a job. A combination of present and previous employers, teachers, organization leaders, team coaches and neighbours should be used. Three reference categories to keep in mind are: employment, character and academic. DO NOT use relatives. It is common courtesy to ask all references prior to listing them on a resume. Also, the reference will be better prepared to speak on your behalf if they are aware that they might be called. Include references on your resume. DO NOT state "Available on Request".

9. Emphasize your skills and accomplishments but don't exaggerate them or give misleading information. If the prospective employer uncovers even the smallest error, they might doubt the truth of your entire resume.

10. Use lots of action verbs, such as 'supervised', 'organized', 'developed'.

11.  Ensure that your resume is neat and error free.  Have someone check it for grammar and spelling and ask that person for their general impression. DO NOT rely on spell check or grammer checks programs to be completely accurate.

12.  Save your resume on a disk so you can update it readily or change it to fit each job application situation. (Bring your disk to school)

13. Don't mail your resume to a prospective employer without a cover letter.

14. Protect your resume in an envelope or a briefcase to avoid getting it dirty or wrinkled.

HIGHLIGHTS AND QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

List all of the qualities that you can think of that describe yourself. Be honest in your list. Now ask one or more people who know you personally or through work, how they would describe you. Don't forget to jot down their thoughts and add it to your list.

Try to think of yourself in an analytical way. This is how prospective employers will view you. By sorting out, in advance, the kind of personality approach you will bring to a job situation, you will be in a position to express in letters, your resume and your interviews, how you would tackle a job and why you would do well at it.

Here are some suggestions of qualities you may look for in yourself (the possibilities are endless!).

"Highlights of Qualification" (4 or 5)

 Resourceful and self-confident; get the job done, and do it well.

 Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

 Strong commitment, vision and leadership.

 A born leader; inspire others to work at their highest level.

 Highly creative and innovative, not afraid to take risks.

 Good eye for detail; well organized, skilled in setting priorities.

 Enjoy a dynamic and challenging work environment.

 Work effectively both as team member and independently.

 Enthusiastic, sharp and well organized.

 Able to set and achieve goals and work well under pressure.

Very good communication skills; able to put people at ease.

 Clear and effective writer and speaker.

 Able to meet demanding time goals.

 Outstanding presentation skills, both written and spoken.

 Positive professional attitude; committed to excellence.

 Able to work well independently.

 Dependable and hard working, get along well with colleagues.

 Enthusiastic, high energy.

 Professional in front of large groups, able to introduce speakers.

 Skill in public speaking and written communication.

 Proven record of excellence and dependability~.

 Confident and decisive under stressful conditions.

 Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

 Talent for getting diverse groups to work together well.

Excellent writing, communication and organizational skills.

 Perceptive and sensitive listener, skilled in assessing needs.

 Poised and self-confident in dealing with a wide variety of people.

 Exceptionally well organized and highly motivated.

 Reputation for taking the initiative and seeing a task through to completion.

 Work effectively with a wide variety of people.

 Excellent written, verbal, and listening skills.

 Enthusiastic, committed, resourceful, can be counted on to get the job done.

 

"Highlights of Qualification" (4 or 5)

 Strong organization and planning skills.

 Well groomed; gets along well with others.

 Excellent references from past employers and teachers.

 Dependable; can be counted on to get the job done.

 Enthusiastic, personable; professional in appearance and manner.

 Reputation for dependability and credibility.

 Take pride in doing a good job and achieving results.

 Can be counted on to get the job done, without supervision.

 Young, enthusiastic, committed to personal growth.

 Self motivated; able to learn anything on my own motivation.

 Excellent record of dependability and reliability.

 Friendly, courteous and articulate.

 Take pride in doing a good job; willing to learn.

 Highly reliable self-starter; can be counted on to complete assignments without supervision.

 

 Sincerely enjoy helping people.

 Thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment.

 Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 Exceptionally responsible, diligent and thorough.

 Ability to work independently.

 Easy to work with; a co-operative and supportive colleague.

 Enthusiastic and quick learner.

 Conscientious and creative; willing to assume responsibility.

 Self motivated, creative professional; able to work independently and also coordinate with others.

 

 Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

 Able to work independently and as a co-operative team member.

 Work well under pressure.

 Practical talent for seeing what needs to be done and doing it.

 Personable; work effectively with a wide range of personalities.

 Well organized and self-motivated.

 Creative, energetic, positive and hard working.

 Effective working both independently and as a team member.

 Able to represent my company with dignity and professionalism

 Professional appearance and manner.

 Well groomed and professional in manner.

 Sincere enthusiasm and enjoyment of sales.

ACTION VERBS

The underlined words are especially good for pointing out our accomplishments.

Management Communication Teaching Creative Clerical or

Skills (continued) Skills Skills Detailed Skills

administered negotiated adapted acted approved

analysed persuaded advised conceptualized arranged

assigned promoted clarified created catalogued

attained publicized coached customized classified

chaired reconciled communicated designed collected

consolidated recruited coordinated developed compiled

contracted spoke developed directed dispatched

coordinated translated enabled established executed

delegated wrote encouraged fashioned generated

developed evaluated founded implemented

directed Research explained illustrated inspected

evaluated Skills facilitated initiated monitored

executed clarified guided instituted operated

improved collected informed integrated organized

increased critique instructed introduced prepared

organized diagnosed persuaded invented processed

oversaw evaluated set goals originated purchased

planned examined stimulated performed recorded

prioritized extracted trained planned retrieved

produced identified revitalized screened

recommended inspected Financial shaped specified

reviewed interpreted Skills systematized

scheduled interviewed administered Helping tabulated

strengthened investigated allocated Skills validated

supervised organized analysed assessed

reviewed appraised assisted More Verbs for

summarized audited clarified Accomplishments

Communication surveyed balanced coached achieved

Skills systematized budgeted counselled expanded

addressed calculated demonstrated improved

arranged Technical computed diagnosed pioneered

authored Skills developed educated reduced (losses)

collaborated assembled forecasted expedited resolved

convinced upgraded managed facilitated (problems)

corresponded calculated marketed familiarized restored

developed computed planned guided spearheaded

directed designed projected motivated transformed

drafted devised researched referred

edited engineered rehabilitated

enlisted fabricated represented

formulated maintained

influenced operated

interpreted overhauled

lectured programmed

mediated remodelled

moderated repaired

CHARLENE GREEN

123 Geneva Street, Apt. 105

St. Catharines, Ontario L2P 8G2

(905) 6848080

JOB OBJECTIVE: To gain a co-operative education position in retail and develop the skills to be successful.

                             HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Effective organizational skills

Work well individually and in a group

Word Perfect 6.1

Spoken and written knowledge of English and French

EDUCATION:

Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School

101 Glen Morris Drive

St. Catharines, ON  L2T 2N1

(905) 684-6349

Presently in Grade 12 - Advanced academic program

Relevant Courses: Mathematics, Marketing

            EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:

June 1995 - Present Sears

Warehouse Assistant Supervisor - James Bott

341 Glendale Avenue

St. Catharines, ON  L2P 2A3

Duties: Unpack cartons, check inventory lists, enter data into

computer, clean and organize work area.

Jan. 1994-Apr. 1995

Kitchen Assistant MacDonald's Restaurant

Supervisor - Don Horne

St. Catharines, ON  L5C 1P5

Duties: Prepared vegetables for salad bar, portion frozen foods,

prepare desserts, maintained clean work area.

1994 (Summer)

Child Care Volunteer:

Supervisor - Matthew Wells

XYZ Day Care Centre

35 George Street

St. Catharines, ON  L2N 3N5

Duties: Assisted with supervision of children and preparation of

snacks.

Charlene Green Page 2

INTERESTS: Baseball, soccer, reading, travel

CERTIFICATES: Bronze medallion (Red Cross Aquatics)

St. John's Ambulance First Aid

REFERENCES: Jack Durham

Manager

MacDonald's Restaurant

8223 Drummond Avenue

Thorold, ON  L2V 3J6

(905) 227-5432

Paul Salfi

Head of English Department

Sir Winston Churchill School

101 Glen Morris Drive

St. Catharines, ON  L2T 2N1

(905) 684-6349

Dan Demer

641 Muncaster Drive

St. Catharines, ON  L4C 3W2

(905) 684-8321