• Be sure to use a professional email address on your resume and ensure that you are checking your email regularly when applying for jobs.
• If you have a LinkedIn profile, be sure to include a link to it on your resume. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with employers and to search for jobs.

A quick snapshot of your experience, skills, academic background and personal characteristics and attitudes as they relate to the position.

1st Statement
Summarizes the experience you have related to your job objective. (e.g. One year experience in graphic design.)

2nd Statement
Describes your working knowledge of the various components or aspects of the position. (e.g. Budgeting, report writing, program planning, etc.)

3rd Statement
Outlines the various skills you possess to do the work effectively. (e.g. Problem-solving, communication, time management, etc.)

4th Statement
May refer to any academic background you have that complements your practical experience. (e.g. Machine design, resource assessment, marketing, etc.)

5th Statement
Lists your personal characteristics and attitudes as required on the job. (e.g. Reliable, able to work under pressure, creative, etc.)

Present all relevant information in reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest)

Choose headings that best showcase the skills and experience that the employer is looking for in the job you are applying for.

Suggested Resume Headings

• Professional Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Key Competencies
• Career-Related Skills
• Computer Skills
• Coaching Experience
• University/Campus Involvement
• Community Involvement
• Professional Development
• Scholarships and Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Personal Achievements
• Languages
• Leadership
• Research
• Publications

Should I include high school on my resume?

If you are still in your first year of university, then it is okay to keep your high school listed, however once you have completed your first year, you’ll want to remove it from your resume.

Begin with your most recent experience and work your way back (reverse chronological order).

Keep job title on the left and date on the right.

Provide quantitative and/or qualitative details when possible. This helps an employer to better understand the scope of your experience.

Use Action Words to begin your statements to help create a more powerful and concise example of your skills and/or responsibilities.

Make your headings stand out by using bolding, underlining or italics. Try to avoid coloured font and shading as they can be distracting.

Do I need to include a section on volunteering?

• Volunteering is a great way to show commitment to your community and is viewed very favourably by employers. It shows that you are a well-rounded individual.
• Including details about your volunteer experiences is a great way to build your resume, and often one of the criteria for considering an applicant for the purposes of interviewing.
• LinkedIn refers to this section as Volunteer Experience and Causes (that you care about)

Should I include my extracurricular activities?
This is entirely up to you. For some people, it allows them to show a potential employer a more holistic view of themselves apart from their education and work experience.
This section can be subdivided into areas such as: interests (spare time or healthy lifestyle activities), volunteering, community involvement (locally, provincially, regionally, nationally, internationally), athletic involvement, memberships (in student clubs/groups, professional associations, gyms or training centres).

References: References are people who can attest to your work ethic and professionalism, academic history, competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) and/or personal attitudes/ attributes.

Reference Tips: You will want to include three references who have agreed to be a reference

• If your references never change, include them in your resume in the fi nal References heading
• If your references change depending on the job you are applying for OR you feel strongly about not including them, have a final References category in your resume and have a bulleted statement that says something like “References provided upon request”
• Be sure to bring a list of references to the interview on a single piece of paper written in the same font style and size as your resume, if they haven’t already been provided
• Ensure each reference has your most recent job search applications so they will be prepared to speak about you and what you can off er to a potential employer

Potential References:

• Work Experience (All types): Current and/or former employers, managers, supervisors, directors, human resources personnel, co-workers 
• Academic: Professors, faculty supervisors, university staff , teachers, principals, directors of education, high school counsellors
• Religious/Faith: Clergy, faith community members ¡ Athletic: Coaches, sport coordinators, athletic association personnel
• Character: Neighbours, home stay families, personal acquaintances

• Be sure to use a professional email address on your resume and ensure that you are checking your email regularly when applying for jobs.
• If you have a LinkedIn profile, be sure to include a link to it on your resume. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with employers and to search for jobs.

Present all relevant information in reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest).

Should I include high school on my resume?

If you are still in your first year of university, then it is okay to keep your high school listed, however once you have completed your first year, you’ll want to remove it from your resume.

This section helps you to summarize the key skills that you possess that the employer is looking for in the job posting. Highlight skills you have acquired and how well you accomplish tasks.

Summary of Skills Tips

• Usually includes 2-4 subsections of skills that are chosen based on what is listed in the job posting.
• Begin statements with Action Words and think about showcasing an accomplishment.
• Be concise, but provide a clear example of HOW you have developed that skill.
• Each subsection usually has 3-5 bulleted points.

Choose headings that best showcase the skills and experience that the employer is looking for in the job you are applying for.

Suggested Resume Headings

• Professional Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Key Competencies
• Career-Related Skills
• Computer Skills
• Coaching Experience
• University/Campus Involvement
• Community Involvement
• Professional Development
• Scholarships and Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Personal Achievements
• Languages
• Leadership
• Research
• Publications

Keep job title on the left and date on the right.

Make your headings stand out by using bolding, underlining or italics. Try to avoid coloured font and shading as they can be distracting.

Provide quantitative and/or qualitative details when possible. This helps an employer to better understand the scope of your experience.

Using Action Words to begin your statements will help you to create a more powerful and concise example of your skills and/or responsibilities.

Should I include a section on volunteering?
Volunteering is a great way to show commitment to your community and is viewed very favourably by employers. Including details about your volunteer experiences is a great way to build your resume.

Should I include my extracurricular activities? This is entirely up to you. For some people, it allows them to show a potential employer a more holistic view of themselves apart from their education and work experience.

This section can be subdivided into areas such as: interests (spare time or healthy lifestyle activities), volunteering, community involvement (locally, provincially, regionally, nationally, internationally), athletic involvement, memberships (in student clubs/groups, professional associations, gyms or training centres).

Should I include an Activities and Interests section?
This is entirely up to you. It allows you to show a potential employer a more holistic view of themselves apart from their education and work experience.

References: References are people who can attest to your work ethic and professionalism, academic history, competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) and/or personal attitudes/ attributes.

Reference Tips: You will want to include three references who have agreed to be a reference

• If your references never change, include them in your resume in the fi nal References heading
• If your references change depending on the job you are applying for OR you feel strongly about not including them, have a final References category in your resume and have a bulleted statement that says something like “References provided upon request”
• Be sure to bring a list of references to the interview on a single piece of paper written in the same font style and size as your resume, if they haven’t already been provided
• Ensure each reference has your most recent job search applications so they will be prepared to speak about you and what you can off er to a potential employer

Potential References:

• Work Experience (All types): Current and/or former employers, managers, supervisors, directors, human resources personnel, co-workers 
• Academic: Professors, faculty supervisors, university staff , teachers, principals, directors of education, high school counsellors
• Religious/Faith: Clergy, faith community members ¡ Athletic: Coaches, sport coordinators, athletic association personnel
• Character: Neighbours, home stay families, personal acquaintances

• Be sure to use a professional email address on your resume and ensure that you are checking your email regularly when applying for jobs.
• If you have a LinkedIn profile, be sure to include a link to it on your resume. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with employers and to search for jobs.

This section helps you to summarize the key skills that you possess that the employer is looking for in the job posting. Highlight skills you have acquired and how well you accomplish tasks.

Summary of Skills Tips

• Usually includes 2-4 subsections of skills that are chosen based on what is listed in the job posting.
• Begin statements with Action Words and think about showcasing an accomplishment.
• Be concise, but provide a clear example of HOW you have developed that skill.
• Each subsection usually has 3-5 bulleted points.

Keep job title on the left and date on the right.

Provide quantitative and/or qualitative details when possible. This helps an employer to better understand the scope of your experience.

Make your headings stand out by using bolding, underlining or italics. Try to avoid coloured font and shading as they can be distracting.

Choose headings that best showcase the skills and experience that the employer is looking for in the job you are applying for.

Suggested Resume Headings

• Professional Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Key Competencies
• Career-Related Skills
• Computer Skills
• Coaching Experience
• University/Campus Involvement
• Community Involvement
• Professional Development
• Scholarships and Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Personal Achievements
• Languages
• Leadership
• Research
• Publications

Should I include a section on volunteering?

• Volunteering is a great way to show commitment to your community and is viewed very favourably by employers; it shows that you are a well-rounded individual
• Including details about volunteer experience is a great way to build your resume, and often one of the criteria for considering an applicant for the purposes of interviewing
• LinkedIn refers to this section as Volunteer Experience and Causes (that you care about)

Should I include an Activities and Interests section?
This is entirely up to you. It allows you to show a potential employer a more holistic view of themselves apart from their education and work experience.

References: References are people who can attest to your work ethic and professionalism, academic history, competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) and/or personal attitudes/ attributes.

Reference Tips: You will want to include three references who have agreed to be a reference

• If your references never change, include them in your resume in the fi nal References heading
• If your references change depending on the job you are applying for OR you feel strongly about not including them, have a final References category in your resume and have a bulleted statement that says something like “References provided upon request”
• Be sure to bring a list of references to the interview on a single piece of paper written in the same font style and size as your resume, if they haven’t already been provided
• Ensure each reference has your most recent job search applications so they will be prepared to speak about you and what you can off er to a potential employer

Potential References:

• Work Experience (All types): Current and/or former employers, managers, supervisors, directors, human resources personnel, co-workers 
• Academic: Professors, faculty supervisors, university staff , teachers, principals, directors of education, high school counsellors
• Religious/Faith: Clergy, faith community members ¡ Athletic: Coaches, sport coordinators, athletic association personnel
• Character: Neighbours, home stay families, personal acquaintances