So, you are ready for your first job! Now what?
I have included below resources to help you create an effective resume that will get you the job you want!
Start with the basics.
It sounds obvious, but your resume must include your name, phone number and e-mail address that you ACTUALLY USE! Also, using the very cool “sexyleggs2000” email address will not work. If needed, create another account just for job searches and make sure you check it!
Keep it Simple, Easy to Read and To the Point!
First-time resume writers should divide their resume into categories: work experience, academic experience, volunteer service/extracurricular experience and last, a summary of skills. A Summary of skills is all about what you can offer an employer and should be experienced and qualifications that you have and the employer’s needs. Again, let the job description guide you in creating this list.
https://youtu.be/RyPYXV7lcD0
You can click here for more information on Skills and how to incorporate them into your resume.
Know yourself
Before you sit down to create your resume, think about what you want and who you are presenting it to. Are you applying for a part-time job or a scholarship or creating this resume to supplement a post-secondary application?
The answers to these questions will help you in creating your objective statement. In addition, potential employers, scholarship judges and anyone else who is looking at your resume will appreciate this short-to-the-point statement at the beginning of your resume instead of having to search it out.
Three Golden Rules of Resume Writing
- Use strong action verbs and leave out the word “I.” Words like created, provided, organized, adapted, and produced all say much more than “did.”
- Remember that your resume should be one page only – keep it short and to the point.
- Only send a resume with proofreading from someone else!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You are surrounded by so many people who are here to help you. If you need someone to proofread or help to create the whole document, we are here to help you.
Don’t let the thought of writing a resume scare you! Planning and a little research can go a long way to making this a manageable task.
Connect with Samantha in the Career Center for help!
Creating a resume with little to no experience.
https://youtu.be/cpM4EOhHibM
Building your first resume!
Look at Resume Builder, Tips for teens to help create your first resume. This site is excellent for helping you to categorize your skills and experiences.
Resume FAQs
***Employers questioned had a choice of choosing Not important, Somewhat important, Important or Very important for each question.
Do I need to include a complete home address on my resume?
Should I State a Career Objective?
How important is a summary of qualifications based on the job posting?
Should I add a summary of the skills?
Do I need to have my complete work experience history?
Should I include only work experience directly relevant to the position?
Should I list my Volunteer Experience?
Do I need to explain employment gaps on a resume?
Should I include my interests and hobbies?
Should I list my awards and acknowledgments?
Should I attach references with a resume?
Is attaching letters of reference important?
What style of Resume should I use?
What are the preferred formats for receiving a resume?
Do I need to include a complete home address on my resume?
You can if you want, employers say it is Somewhat Important, but the trends say it is getting less and less important.
Should I State a Career Objective?
Employers say it is Somewhat Important to Important, and the trend is leaning toward more critical, so adding your career objective is a good idea.
How important is a summary of qualifications based on the job posting?
Employers say that this is important to VERY IMPORTANT! Use the job posting as your guide to choosing which qualifications you want to highlight.
Should I add a summary of the skills?
Again, employers say it is Very Important to have a summary of skills. Try to keep these relevant to the job you are applying for.
Summary profile statement?
Employers say it is Somewhat Important, so for this section, you can include it or not. Your choice.
Do I need to have my complete work experience history?
Employers feel that this is Important to Very important. If you are just starting to work, list your complete work history.
Should I include only work experience directly relevant to the position?
I know this is contrary to what’s stated above; employers say it is Important to Very Important to only state work history relevant to the position you are applying for. However, if you are just starting to work, list it all. Once you have been working for more than 3 jobs, you can then start to be choosey about what you put on your resume.
Should I list my Volunteer Experience?
Employers say that this is Somewhat Important to Important. If you have less than 5-year work experience, this is very likely to help you to get the job you are applying for. Volunteer experience says that you care about your community and have the initiative to learn skills that will help with the position you are applying for.
How important is education?
Employers state that education is Important to Very important. However, remember that this is not just a diploma or degree; it can be Food Safe, First Aid or another certificate relevant to the job you are applying for.
Do I need to explain employment gaps on a resume?
Employers say that this is Important. If you are in school, playing sports, or taking care of your family, make a quick note of it. Stating this will also indicate that you have a healthy rounded life.
Should I include my interests and hobbies?
Employers say that this is Not important to Somewhat important. Please don’t put hobbies to fill space on the page; if your interests are relevant to the position you are applying for, state them.
Should I list my awards and acknowledgments?
Employers state that this section is Somewhat Important to Important. If you are still in school, add this section. While in school, your job is school and clubs, awards and acknowledgments say you are doing your job and doing it well.
Should I attach references with a resume?
Employers say that this is Not Important. Have references ready to give after an interview but do not add them to your resume.
Is attaching letters of reference important?
Employers say that this is Not Important. Do not attach any document to a resume unless specifically asked to do so. You are just giving the potential employer more work to complete your application.
What style of Resume should I use?
In order of preference, employers rated Chronological most beneficial, then Combination, Functional and then the style least usable, Interactive. Employers will read many resumes when looking to fill a position. Therefore, the job of your resume is to convey as much information as possible in a very understandable format.
What are the preferred formats for receiving a resume?
PDF was first, then Word, and last Plain Text
Employers were asked, “Do you use an Applicant Tracking System or something similar for your recruiting and hiring that utilizes scanning software in order to identify keywords in resumes?”
111 Answered yes or sometimes, and 145 said no. It is becoming increasingly common to scan or look for keywords on resumes. Use as many critical works as possible to give yourself the best chance of getting that interview.
Employers were asked, “Do you utilize LinkedIn profiles or other social media sites to help determine who to interview?”
71 said not at all, 161 said less than 50% of the time, and 89 said more than 50% of the time. Be aware that not only employers but Post-Secondary Schools and Scholarships often look at social media as well. Once you post, it is there to find again, even if you delete it.
The survey was conducted by Vancouver Midtown Work BC Employment Services Centre with Financial support from the British Columbia Career Development Association and cooperation from the Human Resources Management Association.