{"id":64,"date":"2022-07-13T16:54:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T20:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/chapter\/writing-the-resume\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T18:36:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T22:36:00","slug":"chapter-24","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/chapter\/chapter-24\/","title":{"raw":"Writing the R\u00e9sum\u00e9","rendered":"Writing the R\u00e9sum\u00e9"},"content":{"raw":"<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A<b> [pb_glossary id=\"254\"]r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/b>\u00a0is a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers. All of us want our r\u00e9sum\u00e9s to stand out from the stack. However, the best way to create an eye-catching one is not through gimmicks or flash, but rather through substance and customization.<\/p>\r\nThe word <em>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/em> is a French word that means \u201ca summary.\u201d You may find it is more commonly spelled without the French accents, though this creates some confusion, as the word \"resume\" has a homophone with an unrelated meaning.\r\n\r\nR\u00e9sum\u00e9s and [pb_glossary id=\"179\"]cover letters[\/pb_glossary] work together to represent you in the most positive light to prospective employers. With a well-composed r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter, you stand out to the employer\u2014who may give you an interview and then an opportunity to win the job.\r\n<p class=\"para editable block\">The r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves three distinct purposes that define its format, design, and presentation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_l02\" class=\"orderedlist editable block\">\r\n \t<li>To represent your professional information in writing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the need the potential employer hopes to address<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To get you an [pb_glossary id=\"255\"]interview [\/pb_glossary] by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum qualifications and have the professional background to help the organization meet its goals<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">An online profile page is similar to a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in that it represents you, your background, and qualifications. People network, link, and connect in new ways via online profiles or professional sites such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>. In many ways, your online profile is an online version of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, with connections and friends on public display. Your social media is often accessible to the public, so never post anything you wouldn\u2019t want your employer (current or future) to read, see, or hear.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"para editable block\">This chapter covers a traditional r\u00e9sum\u00e9, as well as the more popular scannable features, but the elements and tips could equally apply to your online profile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"para editable block\">Types of r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_63\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"267\"]<img class=\"wp-image-62\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" \/> Photo #1: A workspace[\/caption]\r\n\r\nYour <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"254\"]r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is an inventory of your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, volunteer history, internships, and more. It\u2019s a professional autobiography in outline form to give the person who reads it a quick, general idea of who you are and what skills, abilities, and experiences you have to offer. With a better idea of who you are, prospective employers can see how well you might contribute to their workplace.\r\n\r\nAs a college student or recent graduate, though, you may be unsure about what to put in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, especially if you don\u2019t have much employment history. Still, employers don\u2019t expect recent graduates to have significant work experience. Even with little work experience, you may still have a host of worthy accomplishments to include. How you present yourself is key.\r\n\r\nWork histories come in a variety of forms, as\u00a0do r\u00e9sum\u00e9s. Although career experts enjoy debating which style of r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is the best, ultimately you must consider which fits your current situation. Which style will allow you to best package your work history, and convey your unique qualifications?\r\n\r\nThere are three different formats that we will discuss in this chapter: <strong>a chronological resume<\/strong>, a <strong>functional (skills) resume<\/strong>, and a <strong>targeted (hybrid) resume<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nThe chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is a traditional format whose principal section is the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section. In a chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9, the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section lists jobs in reverse chronological order (newest at the top, oldest at the end) and achievements\/skills are detailed underneath each position.\r\n\r\nIn contrast, a\u00a0functional (skills)\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0features a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section, in which skills are organized into categories. The functional\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9 still includes an \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section, but it is streamlined to include only the basic information about each position held.\r\n\r\nA\u00a0targeted (or hybrid) r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section that highlights the candidate\u2019s most important and relevant skills, but it also includes select bullets under each job in the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section.\r\n\r\nThere are many reasons to choose one format over another. In brief, the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves candidates with a long\/uninterrupted work history, in fields where the company worked for is of paramount importance. On the other hand, the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves candidates who are transitioning between fields, such as candidates shifting from a military to a civilian career or candidates who have gained skills in a variety of different settings (workplace, academic, volunteer). The targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9 offers the best of both worlds and is increasingly popular, as the contemporary labour market includes more variety in the pathways from education through to employment. Traditional approaches best represent the increasingly rare traditional candidate. A dynamic approach best represents a dynamic candidate.\r\n\r\nHere are some examples of chronological, functional (skills), and hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9 formats:\r\n<h2>Chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\r\nA chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 lists your job experiences in reverse chronological order\u2014that is, starting with the most recent job and working backward toward your first job. It includes starting and ending dates. Also included is a brief description of the work duties you performed for each job and highlights of your formal education.\r\n\r\nThe reverse chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 may be the most common and perhaps the most conservative r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format. It is most suitable for demonstrating a solid work history and growth and development in your skills. However, this format may not suit you if you are light on skills in the area you are pursuing, if you\u2019ve changed employers frequently, or if you are looking for your first job.\r\n\r\nNote that the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 does the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lists both work and education in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent positions\/schools and working backward)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lists job achievements and skills under each position<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Presents experience under headings by job title, company, location, and dates of employment<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Allows employers to easily determine work performed at each company<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Functional (skills) r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\r\nA functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014also known as a <strong>skills r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014<\/strong>is organized around your talents, skills, and abilities more so than work duties and job titles, as with the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It emphasizes specific professional capabilities, including what you have done or what you can do. Specific dates may be included, but are not as important.\r\n\r\nThis means that if you are a new graduate entering your field with little or no actual work experience, the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 may be a good format for you. It can also be useful when you are seeking work in a field that differs from what you have done in the past. It\u2019s also well suited for people in unconventional careers.\r\n\r\nNote that the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 does the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Focuses on skills and experience, rather than on chronological work history<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Groups functions or skills under categories<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describes responsibilities, accomplishments, and quantifiable achievements under categories in the skills section<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Typically opens with a<em>\u00a0brief<\/em>\u00a0summary\/profile detailing strengths (one-three sentences)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrates how you match the requirements of your potential job by including <em>relevant<\/em> achievements and accomplishments<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Targeted (hybrid) r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format<\/h2>\r\nThe targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014also known as the <strong>hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014<\/strong>is a format reflecting <em>both<\/em> the functional and chronological approaches. It\u2019s also called a combination r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It highlights relevant skills, but it still provides information about your work experience. With a targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9, you may list your job skills as most prominent and then follow with a chronological (or reverse chronological) list of employers.\r\n\r\nThis r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format is most effective when your specific skills and job experience need to be emphasized.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"53\"]\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2>The main parts of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\r\nAn important note about formatting is that, initially, employers may spend only a few seconds reviewing each r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014especially if there is a big stack of them or they seem tedious to read. That\u2019s why choosing your format carefully is so important. Your choice will help you stand out and make the first cut (or not).\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #1: What Do Employers Expect From A R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nTake a moment to reflect on the following questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>What do you think employers want to see in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What elements are the most important to them?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWhen you have an answer to both questions, watch the video below. In the video, several employers are asked those questions. Do their answers surprise you at all? If so, why? Is there anything that you didn't expect?\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"60\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Format is definitely an important component of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9. However, employers also have expectations for the content in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. They expect it to be clear, accurate, and up to date (Bennet, 2005). This document represents you in your absence and you want it to do the best job possible. You don\u2019t want to be represented by spelling or grammatical errors, as they may raise questions about your education and\/or attention to detail. Someone reading a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with errors will only wonder what kind of work that candidate might produce that will poorly reflect on their company. There is going to be enough competition that you don\u2019t want to provide an easy excuse to toss your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 at the start of the process. Do your best work the first time.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">R\u00e9sum\u00e9s have several basic elements that employers look for, including your contact information, objective or goal,\u00a0education, work experience, and so on. Each r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format may organize the information in distinct ways based on the overall design strategy, but all information should be clear, concise, and accurate (Simons &amp; Curtis, 2004).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Contact information<\/h2>\r\nCreate a header that includes your address, telephone number, professional email address, and possibly a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn page<\/a>. I recommend using your student email account (which you'll need to be checking daily so that you don't miss an email from an employer), as that shows your commitment to education and self-improvement. After you've finished school, consider getting your own web domain and creating an online portfolio of your work; this will help you stand out and will also allow you to use an email address with your own domain name, instead of a free corporate email address, which doesn't look as good.\r\n<h2>Headline (also called summary, profile, or highlights of qualifications)<\/h2>\r\nMany r\u00e9sum\u00e9s include a brief summary of your professional self to grab your reader\u2019s attention. Think of this section as your \u201celevator pitch,\u201d offering a quick impression of your personal brand. Include a few key (relevant) achievements\/strengths (in bullets or sentences). Headline sections are especially useful for candidates with a long work history or who have experienced job transitions.\r\n\r\nHave you been starting your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with an objective\u00a0statement? These days, most experts recommend leaving the objective off your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 entirely. Objectives too often emphasize what you want from a job, rather than what you can offer an employer, and are generally seen as a waste of space.\r\n<h2>Education<\/h2>\r\nPlace your education section after the headline\/summary section if it is recent and relevant or after the experience section if your stronger qualification is more recent employment experience.\r\n\r\nList the most current degree\/school attended first and proceed in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>. Include the following information for each educational item:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The name of the school<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The school\u2019s location<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Your graduation date or anticipated graduation date<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The credential earned or being pursued (and major if appropriate)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nDO NOT include high school if you are in college unless your high school work was outstanding or unique (such as if you were valedictorian, won a special scholarship or award, or went to a trade\/technology\/arts high school). A good example would be to include high school athletics if you're applying for a job as a sports coach or trainer.\r\n\r\nInclude trainings and certifications (e.g. first aid certifications, sales seminars, writing groups) at the end of the education section.\r\n\r\nFurther develop the education section by adding accomplishments:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Relevant courses (if they prepared you for the job)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Special accomplishments (conferences, special papers\/projects, clubs, offices held, service to the school)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Awards and scholarships (could also be separate section)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Employment experience<\/h2>\r\nList positions in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (most recent first).\r\n\r\nInclude basic information for each job:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Job title<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Employer<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dates employed (may be only month and year or even only the year)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>City\/state (and country if outside of Canada) of employment<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nInclude internships and skilled volunteer positions (but, if you do, title the section \u201cExperience\u201d rather than \u201cEmployment\u201d). You can also have a separate volunteer experience section, too.\r\n\r\nConsider filtering work experience into \u201cRelated Experience\u201d or \u201cRelevant Experience\u201d instead of one employment section to highlight most relevant jobs (and downplay less significant experience). This also allows you to include volunteer experience, though that's really best pushed into a later section.\r\n<h2>Skills\/achievements\/qualifications<\/h2>\r\nUse sub-headers to group skills into skill set headings (management skills, customer service skills, laboratory skills, communication skills). Use targeted headings based on the qualifications your potential employer is seeking.\r\n\r\nInclude only the most relevant, targeted skills and achievements.\r\n\r\nEmphasize quantifiable achievements and results: skills, equipment, money, documents, personnel, clients,\u00a0 and so on. Use the active voice (<em>supervised<\/em> 16 employees, <em>increased<\/em> profits, <em>built<\/em> websites) instead of the passive voice (<em>was responsible for<\/em> supervising or <em>duties included<\/em> the following).\r\n<h2>Optional sections<\/h2>\r\n<h3>Volunteer work<\/h3>\r\nList skilled volunteer work (building websites, teaching classes) under skills, along with your other qualifications, but include general volunteer work (making meals for a soup kitchen, and so on) toward the end of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in its own section or under activities.\r\n<h3>Activities and interests<\/h3>\r\nInclude interests that may be relevant to the position, but aren\u2019t professional skills (sports for an opportunity at Nike, student groups for leadership, golfing for business jobs, game design\/play for game design jobs, blogging for PR jobs). Market yourself in the best light.\r\n\r\nInclude honours, awards, publications, conferences attended, languages known (including both written and oral fluency levels), and other features that could be valuable to an employer.\r\n<h2>References<\/h2>\r\nDo not write \"references available upon request\" on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Either include a section that lists your references, noting their name, title, employer, and best contact information, or don't list references at all. Employers know they can ask for references if they're considering hiring you. Generally, three references are sufficient, though you may find you want to include more as your career advances to higher levels. The most important references are your superiors, but you can also use co-workers, clients, or instructors. Contact each person to verify their willingness to act as a reference for you. Your reference sheet should match the look of your cover letter and your r\u00e9sum\u00e9.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h1>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 guidelines<\/h1>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_63\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"wp-image-63\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/> Photo #2: A conference call[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe following tips will help you write a r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0that adheres to the conventions employers expect while ditching fluff in favor of expertise.\r\n<h2>Using \u201cme\u201d and \u201cI\u201d<\/h2>\r\nThe convention in a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is to write in [pb_glossary id=\"237\"]sentence fragments[\/pb_glossary] that begin with active verbs. Therefore, you can leave out the subjects of sentences. Example: \u201cI eliminated the duplication of paperwork in my department by streamlining procedures\u201d would become \u201cEliminated paperwork duplication in a struggling department by streamlining procedures.\u201d\r\n<h2>Quantifiable skills<\/h2>\r\nThe more you can present your skills and achievements in detail, especially quantifiable detail, the more authoritative you will sound. This means including references to technologies and equipment you have used, types of documents you have produced, procedures you have followed, languages you speak (noting both verbal and written fluency), numbers of employees you have supervised or trained, numbers of students you have taught, coding languages you know, types of clients you have worked with (cultural backgrounds, ages, disability status\u2013demographic information that might be relevant in your new workplace), graphic design, blogging or social media skills, and so on.\r\n<h2>Filler words (fluff)<\/h2>\r\nAvoid generic filler words that can be found on many r\u00e9sum\u00e9s and don\u2019t suggest meaningful skills. These are examples of filler words:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Passionate<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Strong work ethic<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Duties include<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Fast-paced<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Self-motivated<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you MUST use these phrases, find concrete examples to back them up. For example, instead of using \u201cteam player,\u201d include a time you collaborated with peers to earn a good grade on a project, save your company money, or put on a successful work event.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"52\"]\r\n<h2>Results<\/h2>\r\nIn at least one place in your\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9, preferably more, make mention of a positive impact (or result) of your skills\/achievements. How did you create positive change for your employer, coworkers or customers? Did you resolve a customer complaint successfully?\u00a0Did you make a change that saved your employer money? Did you build a website that increased traffic to your client? Did you follow procedures safely and reduce workplace injuries?\r\n<h2>Building a better bullet (two skill bullet formulas)<\/h2>\r\nEach skill bullet may need to go through a few revisions before it shines. Here are two formulas to help you strengthen your bullets:\r\n<h6><em>Formula 1: Verb + Details = Results<\/em><\/h6>\r\nStart your bullet with an action verb describing a skill or achievement. Follow it with the details of that skill or achievement, and then describe the positive impact of your achievement. For example:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Developed (VERB) new paper flow procedure (DETAILS), resulting in improved staff accuracy and customer wait times (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provided (VERB) friendly customer-focused service (DETAILS), leading to customer satisfaction and loyalty (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organized (VERB) fundraising event (DETAILS) generating $xxx dollars for nonprofit (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provided (VERB) phone and in-person support for patients with various chronic and acute health issues (DETAILS &amp; RESULT COMBINED)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Supported (VERB) 8-10 staff with scheduling, filing, and reception (DETAILS), increasing efficiency in workflow (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h6><em>Formula 2: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]<\/em><\/h6>\r\nDevelop your bullets by going into detail about how you accomplished what you have accomplished and why it matters to your potential employer. Compare the following three versions of the same skill bullet:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>First draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Participated in a leadership program<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Second draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 for year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Final draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 participants nationwide for year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students based on leadership potential and academic success<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNote how the third version is not only the most specific, but it is the one that most demonstrates the \u201cso what\u201d factor, conveying how the applicant\u2019s skills will benefit the potential employer.\r\n<h2>Keywords<\/h2>\r\nRemember, use [pb_glossary id=\"181\"]keywords[\/pb_glossary] you gathered in your pre-writing phase (from the job description, research into your field, and the \u201caction verb\u201d list presented earlier). If your potential employer is using r\u00e9sum\u00e9-scanning software, these keywords may make the difference between getting an interview or a rejection.\r\n<h2>Length<\/h2>\r\nR\u00e9sum\u00e9 length is a much-debated question and guidelines change as the genre changes with time. In general, the length of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 for entry-level or junior positions should be no longer than two pages (and each page should be full\u2014do not have one page full and another page only half full). Some fields, however, may have different length conventions (academic r\u00e9sum\u00e9s, for example, which include publications and conference attendance, tend to be longer; executive-level r\u00e9sum\u00e9s for senior candidates toward the end of their career can be quite long, as they have a lot more to showcase to future employers). If your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is on the longer side, your work history should justify the length. Some experts recommend one page per ten years of work history; while that may be too minimal, it is better to cut weaker material than to add filler. You can also experiment with your formatting and design so that you finish with either one full page or two full pages.\r\n<h2>Design<\/h2>\r\nR\u00e9sum\u00e9 design should enhance the content, helping the reader to quickly find the most significant and relevant information.\r\n\r\nA few general guidelines:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Templates are convenient, but bear in mind that, if you use a common template, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 will look identical to a number of others. Some of them are laughably overused.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use tables to align sections, then hide the borders to create a neat presentation.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use 10.5-12 point font for body text. Headings can be as large as 14-16pt. Your name can be even larger.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Don\u2019t use too many design features; be strategic and consistent in your use of capitalization, bold, italics, underlining, and colour.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To create visual groupings of information, always use more space between sections than within a section. This way your reader will be able to easily distinguish between the key sections of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and between the items in each section.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use the same design scheme in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and your cover letter to maximize coherence and consistency.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor examples of what contemporary resume formatting looks like (with some contrast pieces of what not to do), take a look at some of these templates: <a href=\"https:\/\/zety.com\/blog\/modern-resume-templates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/zety.com\/blog\/modern-resume-templates<\/a>. In most cases, less design splash is better, but if you're applying for a job as a graphic designer, you might want to show off some of your skill. The more conservative the industry, the more conservative your resume (and matching cover letter) design should be.\r\n<h2>Field-specific conventions<\/h2>\r\nYou may find that there are certain conventions in your field or industry that affect your choices in writing your r\u00e9sum\u00e9<strong>.<\/strong> Length, formality, design, delivery method, and key terms are just some of the factors that may vary across disciplines. As an example, people applying for acting jobs always include a headshot (photograph of their face). Ask faculty or professional contacts in your field about employers\u2019 expectations and visit the career center at your post-secondary institution or conduct web research to make informed field-specific choices.\r\n<h1>References<\/h1>\r\n<p class=\"hanging-indent\">Bennett,\u00a0S. (2005).\u00a0<em>The elements of resume style: Essential rules for writing resumes and cover letters that work<\/em>. AMACOM.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"hanging-indent\">Simons,\u00a0W., &amp; Curtis,\u00a0R. (2004).\u00a0<em>The Resume.com guide to writing unbeatable r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/em>. McGraw Hill Professional.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Attributions<\/h1>\r\nThis chapter was adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/openpress.usask.ca\/rcm200\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Effective Professional Communication: A Rhetorical Approach<\/a> by Rebekah Bennetch, Corey Owen, and Zachary Keesey, which is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.\r\n\r\nBennetch, Owen, and Keesey adapted their chapter\u00a0from <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/y-2-resumes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\"Technical Writing\"<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>.\r\n\r\nBennetch, Owen, and Keesey also adapted their chapter from <a href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/9-5-resume\/\">\u201cBusiness Communication for Success\u201d<\/a> by the University of Minnesota (on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.umn.edu\/services\/publishing\">University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing)<\/a>. It is licensed under a <a href=\"Creative%20Commons%20Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike%204.0%20International%20License\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>.\r\n\r\nBennetch, Owen, and Keesey also adapted their chapter from <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/blueprint2\/chapter\/42-resumes-and-cover-letters\/\">\u201cBlueprint for Success in College and Career\u201d<\/a> by Lumen Learning and Linda (Bruce) Hill (on <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/\">Rebus Community<\/a>). It is licensed under a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/_y0tTb95xeY\">Photo #1<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@juliancanderson\">Julian Christian Anderson<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/eTgMFFzroGc\">Photo #2<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@sigmund\">Sigmund<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A<b> <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_254\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers. All of us want our r\u00e9sum\u00e9s to stand out from the stack. However, the best way to create an eye-catching one is not through gimmicks or flash, but rather through substance and customization.<\/p>\n<p>The word <em>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/em> is a French word that means \u201ca summary.\u201d You may find it is more commonly spelled without the French accents, though this creates some confusion, as the word &#8220;resume&#8221; has a homophone with an unrelated meaning.<\/p>\n<p>R\u00e9sum\u00e9s and <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_179\">cover letters<\/a> work together to represent you in the most positive light to prospective employers. With a well-composed r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter, you stand out to the employer\u2014who may give you an interview and then an opportunity to win the job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"para editable block\">The r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves three distinct purposes that define its format, design, and presentation:<\/p>\n<ol id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_l02\" class=\"orderedlist editable block\">\n<li>To represent your professional information in writing<\/li>\n<li>To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the need the potential employer hopes to address<\/li>\n<li>To get you an <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_255\">interview <\/a> by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum qualifications and have the professional background to help the organization meet its goals<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">An online profile page is similar to a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in that it represents you, your background, and qualifications. People network, link, and connect in new ways via online profiles or professional sites such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>. In many ways, your online profile is an online version of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, with connections and friends on public display. Your social media is often accessible to the public, so never post anything you wouldn\u2019t want your employer (current or future) to read, see, or hear.<\/p>\n<p class=\"para editable block\">This chapter covers a traditional r\u00e9sum\u00e9, as well as the more popular scannable features, but the elements and tips could equally apply to your online profile.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"para editable block\">Types of r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_63\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-63\" style=\"width: 267px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-62\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-65x98.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-225x338.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-63\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo #1: A workspace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Your <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_254\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> is an inventory of your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, volunteer history, internships, and more. It\u2019s a professional autobiography in outline form to give the person who reads it a quick, general idea of who you are and what skills, abilities, and experiences you have to offer. With a better idea of who you are, prospective employers can see how well you might contribute to their workplace.<\/p>\n<p>As a college student or recent graduate, though, you may be unsure about what to put in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, especially if you don\u2019t have much employment history. Still, employers don\u2019t expect recent graduates to have significant work experience. Even with little work experience, you may still have a host of worthy accomplishments to include. How you present yourself is key.<\/p>\n<p>Work histories come in a variety of forms, as\u00a0do r\u00e9sum\u00e9s. Although career experts enjoy debating which style of r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is the best, ultimately you must consider which fits your current situation. Which style will allow you to best package your work history, and convey your unique qualifications?<\/p>\n<p>There are three different formats that we will discuss in this chapter: <strong>a chronological resume<\/strong>, a <strong>functional (skills) resume<\/strong>, and a <strong>targeted (hybrid) resume<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is a traditional format whose principal section is the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section. In a chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9, the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section lists jobs in reverse chronological order (newest at the top, oldest at the end) and achievements\/skills are detailed underneath each position.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, a\u00a0functional (skills)\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0features a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section, in which skills are organized into categories. The functional\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9 still includes an \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section, but it is streamlined to include only the basic information about each position held.<\/p>\n<p>A\u00a0targeted (or hybrid) r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section that highlights the candidate\u2019s most important and relevant skills, but it also includes select bullets under each job in the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section.<\/p>\n<p>There are many reasons to choose one format over another. In brief, the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves candidates with a long\/uninterrupted work history, in fields where the company worked for is of paramount importance. On the other hand, the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 serves candidates who are transitioning between fields, such as candidates shifting from a military to a civilian career or candidates who have gained skills in a variety of different settings (workplace, academic, volunteer). The targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9 offers the best of both worlds and is increasingly popular, as the contemporary labour market includes more variety in the pathways from education through to employment. Traditional approaches best represent the increasingly rare traditional candidate. A dynamic approach best represents a dynamic candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some examples of chronological, functional (skills), and hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9 formats:<\/p>\n<h2>Chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\n<p>A chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 lists your job experiences in reverse chronological order\u2014that is, starting with the most recent job and working backward toward your first job. It includes starting and ending dates. Also included is a brief description of the work duties you performed for each job and highlights of your formal education.<\/p>\n<p>The reverse chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 may be the most common and perhaps the most conservative r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format. It is most suitable for demonstrating a solid work history and growth and development in your skills. However, this format may not suit you if you are light on skills in the area you are pursuing, if you\u2019ve changed employers frequently, or if you are looking for your first job.<\/p>\n<p>Note that the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 does the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lists both work and education in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent positions\/schools and working backward)<\/li>\n<li>Lists job achievements and skills under each position<\/li>\n<li>Presents experience under headings by job title, company, location, and dates of employment<\/li>\n<li>Allows employers to easily determine work performed at each company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Functional (skills) r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\n<p>A functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014also known as a <strong>skills r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014<\/strong>is organized around your talents, skills, and abilities more so than work duties and job titles, as with the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It emphasizes specific professional capabilities, including what you have done or what you can do. Specific dates may be included, but are not as important.<\/p>\n<p>This means that if you are a new graduate entering your field with little or no actual work experience, the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 may be a good format for you. It can also be useful when you are seeking work in a field that differs from what you have done in the past. It\u2019s also well suited for people in unconventional careers.<\/p>\n<p>Note that the functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 does the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Focuses on skills and experience, rather than on chronological work history<\/li>\n<li>Groups functions or skills under categories<\/li>\n<li>Describes responsibilities, accomplishments, and quantifiable achievements under categories in the skills section<\/li>\n<li>Typically opens with a<em>\u00a0brief<\/em>\u00a0summary\/profile detailing strengths (one-three sentences)<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrates how you match the requirements of your potential job by including <em>relevant<\/em> achievements and accomplishments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Targeted (hybrid) r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format<\/h2>\n<p>The targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014also known as the <strong>hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014<\/strong>is a format reflecting <em>both<\/em> the functional and chronological approaches. It\u2019s also called a combination r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It highlights relevant skills, but it still provides information about your work experience. With a targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9, you may list your job skills as most prominent and then follow with a chronological (or reverse chronological) list of employers.<\/p>\n<p>This r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format is most effective when your specific skills and job experience need to be emphasized.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-53\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-53\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"53\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Choosing the Right R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Format\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The main parts of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\n<p>An important note about formatting is that, initially, employers may spend only a few seconds reviewing each r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2014especially if there is a big stack of them or they seem tedious to read. That\u2019s why choosing your format carefully is so important. Your choice will help you stand out and make the first cut (or not).<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #1: What Do Employers Expect From A R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Take a moment to reflect on the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you think employers want to see in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/li>\n<li>What elements are the most important to them?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you have an answer to both questions, watch the video below. In the video, several employers are asked those questions. Do their answers surprise you at all? If so, why? Is there anything that you didn&#8217;t expect?<\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-60\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-60\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"60\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Resume Tips for College Students\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Format is definitely an important component of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9. However, employers also have expectations for the content in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. They expect it to be clear, accurate, and up to date (Bennet, 2005). This document represents you in your absence and you want it to do the best job possible. You don\u2019t want to be represented by spelling or grammatical errors, as they may raise questions about your education and\/or attention to detail. Someone reading a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with errors will only wonder what kind of work that candidate might produce that will poorly reflect on their company. There is going to be enough competition that you don\u2019t want to provide an easy excuse to toss your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 at the start of the process. Do your best work the first time.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">R\u00e9sum\u00e9s have several basic elements that employers look for, including your contact information, objective or goal,\u00a0education, work experience, and so on. Each r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format may organize the information in distinct ways based on the overall design strategy, but all information should be clear, concise, and accurate (Simons &amp; Curtis, 2004).<\/p>\n<h2>Contact information<\/h2>\n<p>Create a header that includes your address, telephone number, professional email address, and possibly a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn page<\/a>. I recommend using your student email account (which you&#8217;ll need to be checking daily so that you don&#8217;t miss an email from an employer), as that shows your commitment to education and self-improvement. After you&#8217;ve finished school, consider getting your own web domain and creating an online portfolio of your work; this will help you stand out and will also allow you to use an email address with your own domain name, instead of a free corporate email address, which doesn&#8217;t look as good.<\/p>\n<h2>Headline (also called summary, profile, or highlights of qualifications)<\/h2>\n<p>Many r\u00e9sum\u00e9s include a brief summary of your professional self to grab your reader\u2019s attention. Think of this section as your \u201celevator pitch,\u201d offering a quick impression of your personal brand. Include a few key (relevant) achievements\/strengths (in bullets or sentences). Headline sections are especially useful for candidates with a long work history or who have experienced job transitions.<\/p>\n<p>Have you been starting your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with an objective\u00a0statement? These days, most experts recommend leaving the objective off your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 entirely. Objectives too often emphasize what you want from a job, rather than what you can offer an employer, and are generally seen as a waste of space.<\/p>\n<h2>Education<\/h2>\n<p>Place your education section after the headline\/summary section if it is recent and relevant or after the experience section if your stronger qualification is more recent employment experience.<\/p>\n<p>List the most current degree\/school attended first and proceed in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>. Include the following information for each educational item:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The name of the school<\/li>\n<li>The school\u2019s location<\/li>\n<li>Your graduation date or anticipated graduation date<\/li>\n<li>The credential earned or being pursued (and major if appropriate)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>DO NOT include high school if you are in college unless your high school work was outstanding or unique (such as if you were valedictorian, won a special scholarship or award, or went to a trade\/technology\/arts high school). A good example would be to include high school athletics if you&#8217;re applying for a job as a sports coach or trainer.<\/p>\n<p>Include trainings and certifications (e.g. first aid certifications, sales seminars, writing groups) at the end of the education section.<\/p>\n<p>Further develop the education section by adding accomplishments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Relevant courses (if they prepared you for the job)<\/li>\n<li>Special accomplishments (conferences, special papers\/projects, clubs, offices held, service to the school)<\/li>\n<li>Awards and scholarships (could also be separate section)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Employment experience<\/h2>\n<p>List positions in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (most recent first).<\/p>\n<p>Include basic information for each job:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Job title<\/li>\n<li>Employer<\/li>\n<li>Dates employed (may be only month and year or even only the year)<\/li>\n<li>City\/state (and country if outside of Canada) of employment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Include internships and skilled volunteer positions (but, if you do, title the section \u201cExperience\u201d rather than \u201cEmployment\u201d). You can also have a separate volunteer experience section, too.<\/p>\n<p>Consider filtering work experience into \u201cRelated Experience\u201d or \u201cRelevant Experience\u201d instead of one employment section to highlight most relevant jobs (and downplay less significant experience). This also allows you to include volunteer experience, though that&#8217;s really best pushed into a later section.<\/p>\n<h2>Skills\/achievements\/qualifications<\/h2>\n<p>Use sub-headers to group skills into skill set headings (management skills, customer service skills, laboratory skills, communication skills). Use targeted headings based on the qualifications your potential employer is seeking.<\/p>\n<p>Include only the most relevant, targeted skills and achievements.<\/p>\n<p>Emphasize quantifiable achievements and results: skills, equipment, money, documents, personnel, clients,\u00a0 and so on. Use the active voice (<em>supervised<\/em> 16 employees, <em>increased<\/em> profits, <em>built<\/em> websites) instead of the passive voice (<em>was responsible for<\/em> supervising or <em>duties included<\/em> the following).<\/p>\n<h2>Optional sections<\/h2>\n<h3>Volunteer work<\/h3>\n<p>List skilled volunteer work (building websites, teaching classes) under skills, along with your other qualifications, but include general volunteer work (making meals for a soup kitchen, and so on) toward the end of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in its own section or under activities.<\/p>\n<h3>Activities and interests<\/h3>\n<p>Include interests that may be relevant to the position, but aren\u2019t professional skills (sports for an opportunity at Nike, student groups for leadership, golfing for business jobs, game design\/play for game design jobs, blogging for PR jobs). Market yourself in the best light.<\/p>\n<p>Include honours, awards, publications, conferences attended, languages known (including both written and oral fluency levels), and other features that could be valuable to an employer.<\/p>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<p>Do not write &#8220;references available upon request&#8221; on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Either include a section that lists your references, noting their name, title, employer, and best contact information, or don&#8217;t list references at all. Employers know they can ask for references if they&#8217;re considering hiring you. Generally, three references are sufficient, though you may find you want to include more as your career advances to higher levels. The most important references are your superiors, but you can also use co-workers, clients, or instructors. Contact each person to verify their willingness to act as a reference for you. Your reference sheet should match the look of your cover letter and your r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 guidelines<\/h1>\n<figure id=\"attachment_63\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-63\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-63\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-65x43.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1726\/2022\/07\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-63\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo #2: A conference call<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The following tips will help you write a r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0that adheres to the conventions employers expect while ditching fluff in favor of expertise.<\/p>\n<h2>Using \u201cme\u201d and \u201cI\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>The convention in a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is to write in <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_237\">sentence fragments<\/a> that begin with active verbs. Therefore, you can leave out the subjects of sentences. Example: \u201cI eliminated the duplication of paperwork in my department by streamlining procedures\u201d would become \u201cEliminated paperwork duplication in a struggling department by streamlining procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Quantifiable skills<\/h2>\n<p>The more you can present your skills and achievements in detail, especially quantifiable detail, the more authoritative you will sound. This means including references to technologies and equipment you have used, types of documents you have produced, procedures you have followed, languages you speak (noting both verbal and written fluency), numbers of employees you have supervised or trained, numbers of students you have taught, coding languages you know, types of clients you have worked with (cultural backgrounds, ages, disability status\u2013demographic information that might be relevant in your new workplace), graphic design, blogging or social media skills, and so on.<\/p>\n<h2>Filler words (fluff)<\/h2>\n<p>Avoid generic filler words that can be found on many r\u00e9sum\u00e9s and don\u2019t suggest meaningful skills. These are examples of filler words:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Passionate<\/li>\n<li>Strong work ethic<\/li>\n<li>Duties include<\/li>\n<li>Fast-paced<\/li>\n<li>Self-motivated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you MUST use these phrases, find concrete examples to back them up. For example, instead of using \u201cteam player,\u201d include a time you collaborated with peers to earn a good grade on a project, save your company money, or put on a successful work event.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-52\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-52\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"52\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"The &quot;Fluff&quot; Detector: Removing Filler from Your R\u00e9sum\u00e9\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Results<\/h2>\n<p>In at least one place in your\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9, preferably more, make mention of a positive impact (or result) of your skills\/achievements. How did you create positive change for your employer, coworkers or customers? Did you resolve a customer complaint successfully?\u00a0Did you make a change that saved your employer money? Did you build a website that increased traffic to your client? Did you follow procedures safely and reduce workplace injuries?<\/p>\n<h2>Building a better bullet (two skill bullet formulas)<\/h2>\n<p>Each skill bullet may need to go through a few revisions before it shines. Here are two formulas to help you strengthen your bullets:<\/p>\n<h6><em>Formula 1: Verb + Details = Results<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>Start your bullet with an action verb describing a skill or achievement. Follow it with the details of that skill or achievement, and then describe the positive impact of your achievement. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Developed (VERB) new paper flow procedure (DETAILS), resulting in improved staff accuracy and customer wait times (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Provided (VERB) friendly customer-focused service (DETAILS), leading to customer satisfaction and loyalty (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Organized (VERB) fundraising event (DETAILS) generating $xxx dollars for nonprofit (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Provided (VERB) phone and in-person support for patients with various chronic and acute health issues (DETAILS &amp; RESULT COMBINED)<\/li>\n<li>Supported (VERB) 8-10 staff with scheduling, filing, and reception (DETAILS), increasing efficiency in workflow (RESULT)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><em>Formula 2: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>Develop your bullets by going into detail about how you accomplished what you have accomplished and why it matters to your potential employer. Compare the following three versions of the same skill bullet:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Participated in a leadership program<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 for year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students<\/li>\n<li><strong>Final draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 participants nationwide for year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students based on leadership potential and academic success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note how the third version is not only the most specific, but it is the one that most demonstrates the \u201cso what\u201d factor, conveying how the applicant\u2019s skills will benefit the potential employer.<\/p>\n<h2>Keywords<\/h2>\n<p>Remember, use <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_64_181\">keywords<\/a> you gathered in your pre-writing phase (from the job description, research into your field, and the \u201caction verb\u201d list presented earlier). If your potential employer is using r\u00e9sum\u00e9-scanning software, these keywords may make the difference between getting an interview or a rejection.<\/p>\n<h2>Length<\/h2>\n<p>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 length is a much-debated question and guidelines change as the genre changes with time. In general, the length of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 for entry-level or junior positions should be no longer than two pages (and each page should be full\u2014do not have one page full and another page only half full). Some fields, however, may have different length conventions (academic r\u00e9sum\u00e9s, for example, which include publications and conference attendance, tend to be longer; executive-level r\u00e9sum\u00e9s for senior candidates toward the end of their career can be quite long, as they have a lot more to showcase to future employers). If your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is on the longer side, your work history should justify the length. Some experts recommend one page per ten years of work history; while that may be too minimal, it is better to cut weaker material than to add filler. You can also experiment with your formatting and design so that you finish with either one full page or two full pages.<\/p>\n<h2>Design<\/h2>\n<p>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 design should enhance the content, helping the reader to quickly find the most significant and relevant information.<\/p>\n<p>A few general guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Templates are convenient, but bear in mind that, if you use a common template, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 will look identical to a number of others. Some of them are laughably overused.<\/li>\n<li>Use tables to align sections, then hide the borders to create a neat presentation.<\/li>\n<li>Use 10.5-12 point font for body text. Headings can be as large as 14-16pt. Your name can be even larger.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t use too many design features; be strategic and consistent in your use of capitalization, bold, italics, underlining, and colour.<\/li>\n<li>To create visual groupings of information, always use more space between sections than within a section. This way your reader will be able to easily distinguish between the key sections of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and between the items in each section.<\/li>\n<li>Use the same design scheme in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and your cover letter to maximize coherence and consistency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For examples of what contemporary resume formatting looks like (with some contrast pieces of what not to do), take a look at some of these templates: <a href=\"https:\/\/zety.com\/blog\/modern-resume-templates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/zety.com\/blog\/modern-resume-templates<\/a>. In most cases, less design splash is better, but if you&#8217;re applying for a job as a graphic designer, you might want to show off some of your skill. The more conservative the industry, the more conservative your resume (and matching cover letter) design should be.<\/p>\n<h2>Field-specific conventions<\/h2>\n<p>You may find that there are certain conventions in your field or industry that affect your choices in writing your r\u00e9sum\u00e9<strong>.<\/strong> Length, formality, design, delivery method, and key terms are just some of the factors that may vary across disciplines. As an example, people applying for acting jobs always include a headshot (photograph of their face). Ask faculty or professional contacts in your field about employers\u2019 expectations and visit the career center at your post-secondary institution or conduct web research to make informed field-specific choices.<\/p>\n<h1>References<\/h1>\n<p class=\"hanging-indent\">Bennett,\u00a0S. (2005).\u00a0<em>The elements of resume style: Essential rules for writing resumes and cover letters that work<\/em>. AMACOM.<\/p>\n<p class=\"hanging-indent\">Simons,\u00a0W., &amp; Curtis,\u00a0R. (2004).\u00a0<em>The Resume.com guide to writing unbeatable r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/em>. McGraw Hill Professional.<\/p>\n<h1>Attributions<\/h1>\n<p>This chapter was adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/openpress.usask.ca\/rcm200\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Effective Professional Communication: A Rhetorical Approach<\/a> by Rebekah Bennetch, Corey Owen, and Zachary Keesey, which is licensed under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.<\/p>\n<p>Bennetch, Owen, and Keesey adapted their chapter\u00a0from <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/y-2-resumes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Technical Writing&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bennetch, Owen, and Keesey also adapted their chapter from <a href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/9-5-resume\/\">\u201cBusiness Communication for Success\u201d<\/a> by the University of Minnesota (on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.umn.edu\/services\/publishing\">University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing)<\/a>. It is licensed under a <a href=\"Creative%20Commons%20Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike%204.0%20International%20License\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bennetch, Owen, and Keesey also adapted their chapter from <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/blueprint2\/chapter\/42-resumes-and-cover-letters\/\">\u201cBlueprint for Success in College and Career\u201d<\/a> by Lumen Learning and Linda (Bruce) Hill (on <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/\">Rebus Community<\/a>). It is licensed under a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/_y0tTb95xeY\">Photo #1<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@juliancanderson\">Julian Christian Anderson<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/eTgMFFzroGc\">Photo #2<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@sigmund\">Sigmund<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_64_254\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_64_254\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_64_179\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_64_179\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>also known as an \"application letter,\" this document is your opportunity to establish a connection with the company you are applying to. You will pick a few significant qualifications that make you a good fit for the position and go into depth about each one.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_64_255\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_64_255\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>the phase of the job search process where you go from being an applicant on paper to a real, three dimensional person.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_64_237\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_64_237\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a writing error where a sentence is missing a subject or verb<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_64_181\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_64_181\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>words in a job posting that highlight skills, qualities, and values that are important to a company<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1660,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-64","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":51,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/64","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1660"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/64\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1216,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/64\/revisions\/1216"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/51"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/64\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=64"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=64"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/communicating\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=64"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}