Your resume is not going to get you a job. What a resume will get you, however, is an interview. Your resume needs to spark an interest in the person reading it, and that spark must be hot enough to make them call you. It's a very important part of your job search process, so take your time and do it right.

Make a Big List

It is a good idea to keep one complete resume on file, from which you can create customized resumes as needed. Before you begin, write a giant list of everything you've done or accomplished, ever: every single job, honor, volunteer work, skill, language, hobby, school activity - everything. Begin the list chronologically, with most recent first. If you're writing on paper, leave room to add things you remember as you go. Don't be detailed - write the name of the event and the relevant dates.

Try organizing your list into the following categories:

1. Education : The school(s) you've attended, a list of classes, your course average, your specialty or major.
   
2. Employment : Every job you've ever held, including volunteer work. Dates are important here.
   
3. Honors : All academic, athletic, or community awards or scholarships you have received.
   
4. Activities : Any school activities or groups you were involved in.
   
5. Skills : Computer knowledge (list the software), languages you speak, etc. Be sure to indicate your level of competency - use phrases like Acquainted With, Competent In, Fluent, Capable.

When the list is finished, type it up and save it in a very special place. Make a couple of copies on CD and store them outside your house - with a friend, your parents, in a safe deposit box if you like. Keep a printed copy or two in your filing cabinet for quick reference.

This list is important because it allows you to create separate resumes for each position, add to the list as you accomplish more throughout your life, keep track of the little details and save you scratching your head wondering if you've remembered everything.

Create Several Variations

One resume will not be OK for every job you are applying for. Each time you apply for a position, you must customize your resume. Use whatever lingo they use in the advertisement or job description; put more emphasis on they duties / responsibilities they are looking for. Always use strong positive words. Unless you come across as being just what they want, they will keep looking!

Included below is an outline for your resumes, some additional points concerning resumes, and some sample resumes for your perusal. There are plenty of resources available online as well! Visit your favorite search engine or directory service site and enter keywords and phrases such as "resumes", "resume writing", "resume samples", etc. and you'll find that a wealth of information is available.

Types of Resumes:

Click each of the links below to see the corresponding resume for this Employment Opportunity.

Traditional: Basic resume includes all relevant information usually listed in chronological order.

Focused: Designed for a particular job - eliminates education and experience that does not apply - focuses on the skills and training required for the new position. This style is usually not in chronological order - most relevant education and experience listed first.

Functional: Non-traditional approach - good to use when you have a lot of experience but your educational training is a little lean. It is also a good style to use when you have held similar positions and you want to avoid listing the same job skills over and over.

Resume Outline:

No matter which type of resume you choose you can use this outline to construct your information logically.

Identification

Name, Address, Telephone Number (alternative number for messages), e-mail address (if applicable)
Do not include personal information such as age, sex, weight, height, health, martial status, etc. (This info should never be on a resume and can only be requested for rare positions)

Education

List of all secondary and post-secondary schools, high school may or may not be included (depends on what else you have). Include dates you attended and any diplomas, degrees, certificates or awards you received. Only include formal education, that is not training courses or programs that lasted for a short period (these will show up later in resume). Always start from most recent and work your way back.

Work Experience

Start from most recent and go back. List all work experience, both paid and unpaid. Include name of company/business, address, dates worked and position or title held. Do not include a list of duties or responsibilities. These will show up later. Many times, people have similar positions and would be repeating the same duties over and over. Also, from the position or title, your major duties and responsibilities would be apparent. Include any volunteer work that may relate to the job.

Skills and Training

This is where you will list everything you can do in relation to being selected for an interview. Do not do in paragraph form; rather do in point form (bulleted list). This is much easier to read. Start your list with the most relevant abilities and work your way down. Do not make the mistake of leaving out duties and responsibilities from previous jobs. Any training or special courses (First Aid, CPR, Public Speaking, WHIMIS, etc.) could be included here. If you have a lot of certificates or training, you could have a section of your resume for this only.

References

Do not indicate "References Available Upon Request". If a perspective employer is interested in you, they do not want to have to call you for references. Always ask for permission to use someone as a reference before you put him or her on your resume. This way they will be ready and possibly expecting a call. It also a great idea to give a copy of your resume to your references so that they will have all your information (dates, etc.) at their fingertips, should they be asked. They might also have an opportunity to pass on your name, should something arise.

Two or three references are usually enough. Never use a relative or personal reference. When you use a reference list the full name, their title or position, company /business name, address and telephone number (business number). Only use a home number if the person can not normally be reached during regular business hours at place of work.

Other Headings/Sections

Other headings or sections can be included as needed, just make sure ‘References" are last.

Page Count

If your resume is two pages in length, don't forget to add a header that includes your name on the left margin and the page number (Page 2 of 2) on the right margin. Resumes are often faxed to an employer – if dropped on the other end – it would be nice to be able to put them back together correctly.

Positive / Action Words

Consider the following words when preparing your resume or completing your application. They will help you make a positive, favorable impression on the potential employer.

Achieve Acquire Coordinated Efficient Controlled Analyzed Knowledgeable Investigated Guided Improved Consistent Designed Repaired Worked Versatile Experienced Developed Analyze Assemble Balance Budget Collaborate Compile Composed Conduct Coordinate Complete Create Delegate Design Develop Direct Double Edit Engage Establish Evaluate Expand Forecast Found Generate Implement Improve Insure Interpret Increase Initiate Instruct Invent Lead Maintain

Motivate Negotiate Operate Organize Oversee Participate Perform Present Plan Produce Promote Propose Provide Publish Recruit Reorganize Research Review Select Solve Supervise Survey Support Teach Train Travel Competent Stable Established Initiated Successful Well Educated Communicated Created Capable Processed Organized Resourceful Equipped Participated Trained Qualified Accomplished Experienced Developed Analyze Assemble Balance Budget Collaborate Manage

Compile Composed Conduct Coordinate Complete Create Delegate Design Develop Direct Double Edit Engage Establish Evaluate Expand Forecast Found Generate Implement Improve Insure Interpret Increase Initiate Instruct Invent Lead Maintain Man Proficient Positive Managed Employed Productive Maintained Directed Expanded Effective Built Supervised Articulate Adapt Administer Implemented Self-Motivated Meticulous Profitable Engineered

Presentation

Resumes should never be more than 2 pages. One page resumes are fine. Always type your resume and never fold. Deliver or mail in a large envelope (8 ½ x 11). Use good quality white bond paper. Some colored paper is acceptable, that is light gray or cream. Stay away from the marbled paper, it is too busy and hard to read. Also stay away from the pastel colors.

Less is More

Be brief. Remove words like "the" and "a" whenever possible. Use action-oriented words such as those in the list above. Be specific and include details, but don't over-describe.

Be Conservative With Your Fonts

Even our Design students are encouraged to use a basic font such as Times or Arial. If you don't have training in mixing fonts, use the same font for the entire document. Use different weights (boldness) and sizes to differentiate between headings and subheads.

Let your lines of text breathe by not crowding them. Empty or "white" space makes a page easier to read.

Don't justify your text. Align to the left and let the right edge "run ragged."

The main heading (usually, your name) should be about 16pt. Subheads such as "education" and "employment history" should be at 13-14pt. Your main text should be between 10-11pt.

Bold important items such as the company you worked for and the name of the school you attended. Never underline anything, ever. Use bold or italic or both instead.

Choose a scheme for formatting your resume, and stick to it.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Make sure your contact info is correct. Scan for any glaring errors of content. Check the formatting, including the margins. Pick it to death for spelling and grammar.

If you're bad at grammar and spelling, admit it and hand the resume over to someone who's not.

Misspellings on a resume are automatically filed circularly (ie directly into the trash).