Resume Guide 2019

Part 1. How to Sell Yourself

Your Resume

1. Your resume is your marketing tool and needs to contain enough interesting information about

your skills, strengths and potential to grab an employer’s attention.

2. Sell your skills and experience to an employer and get an interview by targeting your resume for

the employer and the job posting.

“6 Second Rule” - on average you have 6 secs to grab the attention of an employer

How to Target Your Resume

1. Identify a job: find a job posting advertised online or in print

2. Highlight the skills and responsibilities: in the job posting

3. Match YOUR strengths and skills with the skills & responsibilities of the job

4. Identify any accomplishments that demonstrate these strengths and skills

5. Research the company: read the ‘about us’ page on their website and review their values and

mission statements. How can you match your values with the company and how can you

contribute to their vision and mission?

Discovering Your Accomplishments

A resume needs to highlight your story, so start by asking yourself these questions.

1. What was your job title at your last meaningful job?

2. List ALL the tasks that you did as part of your job.

3. Can you think of a time when you took the initiative?

4. Were you ever promoted, or did you ever expand your job role?

5. Do you have any testimonials from clients or previous employers?

6. What are your strengths in the workplace? E.g. analytical thinking; communication, empathy

7. What are your transferrable skills from your previous employment? E.g. proficiency with excel sheets; extensive technical report writing skills; customer service and sales techniques

8. How will you help a company fulfill its mission statement and values?

Notes:

Identify Your Strengths and Skills?

What are your strengths and how do they relate to specific work tasks that you have done?

Review our list of 10 strengths to start brainstorming which strengths may apply to you. Match any

strength with a skill and provide an example of how you applied this in work or life?

There are many strengths to choose from including: Enthusiasm, Trustworthiness, Creativity, Discipline,

Patience, Respectfulness, Determination, Dedication, Honesty, Versatility…. etc.

Try to identify 3 – 5 strengths and relatable skills

Identify Your Strengths

Example:

A strength is something that you may have a natural predisposition towards, whereas a skill is

something that can be developed and learnt.

A strength might be your ability to work well with others, whereas you might have developed

skills in working effectively as part of a multi disciplinary team

“Proven leadership skills as a supervisor, effectively explaining and interpreting organizational

procedures to a team of 25 staff”

“Collaborated successfully with a sales team, increasing sales by 50 percent over the previous

year resulting in increased profits and sales commissions”

Strength and Definition

Relatable Skill

Analytical Thinking

Ability to look at information and find patterns and trends, then produce insights from them

E.g. Proficiency with excel spreadsheets

Communication

Ability to naturally express your ideas and thoughts in a compelling way.

E.g. Extensive vocabulary and fluency in English, French and Spanish

Empathy Ability to relate to other people on a personal level

E.g. Customer service and sales techniques

Transferrable Skills - What’s Your Story?

Highlight your accomplishments by adding context to help employers better understand what you

have to offer. For example, any strength and/or skill that you are highlighting, provide an example

(include specific numbers if possible) and identify who it benefits.

For example:

Top tip: remember the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software that filter resumes - repeat the key words from the job posting in your resume

Keep all the information relevant to the targeted job posting. Avoid generic terms like: hard working;

punctual; good team player. These are over used terms that will not help you stand out of the crowd.

Strength and Definition

Your Relatable Skill or Work Experience

Analytical Thinking

Ability to look at information and find patterns and trends, then produce insights from them

Communication

Ability to naturally express your ideas and thoughts in a compelling way.

Empathy

Ability to relate to other people on a personal level

Teamwork

Ability to relate to others, moderate conflicts and motivate team members.

Leadership

Ability to motivate, coach and mentor other workers.

Flexibility

Ability to transition between tasks and learn new duties.

Dependability

Ability to show up to work on time every day and handle new tasks or projects.

Adaptability

Ability to adapt to changing work conditions

Organisation

Ability to time manage, prioritize and meet deadlines.

Problem Solving

Ability to identify problems and find solutions.

Don’t use boring generic phrases like “attention to detail” think about an aspect of your job that you

performed well, that highlights this skill. For example, “resolved account discrepancies between

inventory and goods on-hand, to ensure quality control.”

Top tip: Use Action Verbs to describe a specific achievement (check out our suggested list of action verbs at the end of this guide) e.g.

“Responsible for…” change to “Improved…” “Worked with…” change to “Collaborated on a team that…” “In charge of…” change to “Directed 20 employees to…”

If you get stuck selecting your personal strengths and skills, start by reviewing a list of your work

duties and tasks from your last meaningful employment. Then select strengths that relate to that job

and consider any high points when you felt a sense of job satisfaction and/or accomplishment.

Part 2. Resume Builder

Make Your Resume Easy to Read:

• Limit it to one or two pages (depending on your work history)

• Break up the text with lots of white space

• Font size 10 or 11

• Use bullets and short sentences to grab attention.

• Keep it well organized

• Create a professional look with a template from Word, Google Docs or Canva.com

• Get someone to proofread. Ensure names are spelled correctly.

What to include:

• Name and contact info highlighted

• Short personal bio or professional summary

• Proficiencies listed

• Highlights your relevant skills

• Chronological list of your work history

• Volunteer or Community Involvement

• Highest level of education (include grade 12 if asked for)

• Training and certifications

• 2 – 3 references (employer, volunteer coordinator etc.)

Top tip: focus on the top third of the page to grab the attention of the reader

Step 1. Name and Contact Information

Make it easy for busy hiring managers! Include live links to your email address, professional blog and/or

relevant social media accounts. Include just one phone number (preferably a cell phone) and one email

address. Eliminate your full mailing address — just your city, state, and post code. Also, make sure your

personal information is consistent on e-mail signatures, social media etc.

• Create an eye-catching header that stands out

• Local phone number and simple address

• Include relevant social media (for example if you have a LinkedIn account)

Example:

Step 2. Personal Bio/Professional Profile

Replace the outdated objective statement with a create a short statement that summarizes who you are

professionally. This helps an employer identify quickly if you are a good fit.

An objective statement may still be useful if you are transitioning from one career to another

What three or four key phrases that describe your essential qualities quickly and clearly?

Example #1 of a profile statement:

“Highly motivated and experiences sales representative with territory management, closing

experience and strong customer service skills. Computer proficient with excellent verbal and

written skills.”

Example #2 of a profile statement:

“An innovative programmer with over ten years’ experience building websites and contributing

to the success of the major development projects in the technology space. Utilizes web-based

software across a diverse client-base to curate truly unique and seamlessly functional solutions”

How Can You Best Describe Yourself in a Nutshell?:

Step 3. Proficiencies

A great option at the top of the page is to highlight your proficiencies/key skills like these two examples:

List Your Top 6 - 8 Proficiencies

(e.g. Communication; Leadership; Time Management; Self-motivation; Conflict Resolution etc)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Step 4. Highlight Relevant Skills in Groups

We highly recommend adding this ‘highlighted skills’ section which will help the employer see why

you are a great fit for the job.

Review the job posting and identify different tasks that can be grouped into different skill groups

For each key skill, identify accomplishments that demonstrate that skill. Write each accomplishment

in a statement that shows how you benefitted the employer.

Example of how to review a job posting:

Responsibilities include

• Lead generation including 1:1 email and phone communications with prospects

• Attending thought leadership conferences and following up with prospects

• Working very closely with an Account Executive to manage a pipeline

• Using ThoughtExchange for demonstrations

• Proactive management of prospect, event and content pipelines, initiatives and events

Skills and experience

• Previous sales or business development experience

• Previous experience with email content creation

• Pipeline management skills

• Group facilitation and/or speaking experience is a plus

• Highly organized

• Strong technology skills

This job posting could be grouped into the following skills sections: Administration; Sales

Management; Customer Service; Communication etc.

Once you have highlighted different skills groups we suggest trying to identify three to five skill

statements for each section.

The table gives you an example of how to describe work experience as it relates to different

skills groups – if you can do this it helps the employer see that you understand the job role and

that you are a great fit for the position.

Skill Group Action + Who it Benefits Communication As a supervisor, providing a collaborative atmosphere that was conducive to

the stimulation and creation of ideas within the team

As a team leader effectively explaining and interpreting organizational procedures to a team of 4 employees

Ability to optimize all channels of communication when creating weekly staff rotors and scheduling changes

Sales Management:

Consistently exceeded monthly sales goals at Stone & Meyer, resulting in annual increases in profits for 6 years in a row.

Analyzed sales pipelines and trends with senior management to forecast quarterly sales goals and quotas with 95% accuracy

Consistently the top sales representative at the firm selling on superior added value, product knowledge and customer service, as opposed to the price driven sale.

Administration & Organizational:

As a sales manager examining administrative effectiveness and implementing better procedures

Developing policies and procedures to improve departmental systems

Utilize improved technology for administrative support

Skills Group Brainstorm

Skill Group Action + Who it Benefits E.g. communication, customer service, administration etc.

Step 5. Employment History

• List in chronological order with most recent first (using years not months)

• It’s not always necessary to list every job you have had unless it is relevant to your

highlighted skills section.

• You may substitute the number of years employed for specific years e.g.: 4 years instead of

2010 – 2014 (good of you have been out of the workforce for a period)

• A detailed list of the duties you held in this position is not always necessary

Job Title Employer, City, Province Dates or duration employed

Step 6. Education and Certifications

It is only necessary to list your highest level of post secondary education

If you have grade 12 only include this if the job posting specifies that you need grade 12. Otherwise list

all your relevant certifications and expiry dates as they apply.

Step 7. References

• Do not write “available on request” – it lacks initiative

• Quality references are another selling point that capture attention

• Include contact numbers AND e-mails

• References should be relevant to the job

• Check that your references are ready to speak to why you can do the job

• A good character reference can be as good as a past employer

Name Company Job Title E-mail Phone

Resume Templates:

It’s not always easy to make your resume look attractive. The good news is that there are some

great FREE resume templates that you can access online.

Canva.com is a great option for a colourful and graphically attractive resume. With only basic

computer skills and some patience you can create a visually stunning resume.

Microsoft Word offers simple resume templates. When you open a new document, you can

click on the “file” tab in the top left hand corner to access different templates.

Google Drive for anyone using GMAIL also offers resume templates. When you open a new

document click on the tab in the left hand corner to access templates.

Resume Check List:

Is it attractive and easy to read?

Do key points and headings stand out?

Is all the information relevant and up to date?

Have you proofread for spelling mistakes and poor grammar?

Suggested Action Verbs to Use in Your Resume

Verbs or “doing” words are an integral part of your resume

When describing your accomplishments and skills…. use verbs

Most resume bullet points start with the same tired generic boring words. Switch up a few of those common words and phrases with strong, compelling action verbs.

If you oversaw a project or initiative from start to finish:

Chaired Controlled Coordinated Executed

Headed Operated Orchestrated Organized

Oversaw Planned Produced Programmed

If you developed, created, or introduced that project to your company?

Administered Built Charted Created Designed Developed Devised Founded

Engineered Established Formalized Formed Formulated Implemented Incorporated

Initiated Instituted Introduced Launched Pioneered Spearheaded

If you helped a team operate more efficiently or cost-effectively:

Conserved Consolidated Decreased

Deducted Diagnosed Lessened

Reconciled Reduced Yielded

If you can show that the company’s numbers were boosted while you were there:

Accelerated Achieved Advanced Amplified Boosted Capitalized Delivered Enhanced Expanded Expedited Furthered Generated Improved

Lifted Maximized Outpaced Stimulated Sustained Centralized Clarified Converted Customized Influenced Integrated Merged Modified

Overhauled Redesigned Refined Refocused Rehabilitated Remodeled Reorganized Replaced Restructured Revamped Revitalized

If you were leading any projects or committees etc.:

Aligned Cultivated Directed Enabled Facilitated Fostered Guided

Hired Inspired Mentored Mobilized Motivated Recruited Regulated

Shaped Supervised Taught Trained Unified United

If you were “responsible for” a new partner, sponsor, source of funding:

Acquired Forged

Navigated Negotiated

Partnered Secured

If you answered phones (advising customers and meeting their needs): Advised Advocated Arbitrated

Coached Consulted Educated

Fielded Informed Resolved

If you were researched, analyzed, fact finded etc.:

Analyzed Assembled Assessed Audited Calculated Discovered Evaluated

Examined Explored Forecasted Identified Interpreted Investigated

Mapped Measured Qualified Quantified Surveyed Tested Tracked

If you were writing, speaking, lobbying, or otherwise communicating:

Authored Briefed Campaigned Co-authored Composed Conveyed Convinced Corresponded Counseled Critiqued

Defined Documented Edited Illustrated Lobbied Persuaded Promoted Publicized Reviewed

If you enforced protocol or managed your department’s requests:

Authorized Blocked Delegated Dispatched Enforced Ensured Inspected Itemized Monitored Screened Scrutinized Verified

If you met your goals or won any accolades:

Attained Awarded Completed Demonstrated Earned Exceeded Showcased

An Example of an Upgraded Welder’s Resume:

An Example of an Upgraded Line Cook’s Resume: