BEL499

This is the best method to use when:• You can show steady progress in your education

and employment• The name of your last employer is important• You want to find a job in the same area as your

previous oneDon’t use this format if:• You want to emphasize skills you haven’t used

in other jobs• You’re looking for a job you’ve never done

before• You’ve changed jobs a lot 

• Starts off with a job objective or a personal profile

• Groups education, work and volunteer experiences and lists items in reverse chronological order

• May include a section on awards and accomplishments

• Provides information on interests• Provides references 

This is the best format to use when: You have little or no actual work experience

in the area in which you’re looking for work You haven’t worked before You want to emphasize talents and skills you

rather than past employment You’ve had a variety of jobs in the past

which aren’t connected You’ve done mostly temporary work in the

pastDon’t use this format when: You have a steady pattern of jobs and

education Your past employers are important in

relation to your job objective

Functional Résumé Structure•Starts off with a job objective•List of skills and/or achievements that

support the objective•Groups education, work and volunteer

experiences and lists items in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

•Provides information on interests•Provides references

This is the best format to use when: Your education is an important part of

your skills and your practical skills are limited

Your background shows a wide range of unrelated skills

Your work history isn’t reflective of you as a stable worker—you’ve held a lot of different jobs

Your work history shows more time in other work areas

PARTS OF A RÉSUMÉNAME: Do not use nicknamesHighlight so it stands out: bold, larger fontADDRESSUse your complete addressDon’t use abbreviations except for the 2-letter abbreviations for provinces (i.e.NS, NB, PE)Put the postal code on a line by itselfTELEPHONE/FAX NUMBERSInclude area code. 2 acceptable styles are: (902) 555-1234 or 902/555-1234EMAIL ADDRESSInclude it if you have one, giving the message you are computer literateDo not use an email address that is inappropriate (i.e. hotchick@hotmail.com) OBJECTIVE OR PROFILE (in response to the advertisement)An objective gives focus, direction and support to the body of the résuméIt is an attention grabberIf you are “shopping for work”, you might use a Career Profile focusing on skills, achievements

and character attributesEDUCATIONList your most recent education firstInclude the name of the school and dates (years) of attendanceInclude courses studied, particularly if your résumé is shortAdditional training courses and certificates should be includedIt is not necessary to include your junior high

WORK EXPERIENCEList your most recent work experience firstInclude job title (in bold), dates, job responsibilitiesUse action verbs (present tense) to tell what you have doneAWARDS AND ACTIVITIESList academic honours (Dean’s list)or certificates you receivedStress extra-curricular activities and special achievements in sports, clubs, or other school/university activitiesThese offer employers evidence of leadership, dedication and initiativeSPECIAL SKILLS AND ATTITUDESHighlight the skills you have that relate directly to the position for which you

are Applying (technical/management/communication skills)Ex: specific computer applications, fluency in a foreign language, or special abilities you possess that are not necessarily part of your formal educationHighlight attributes such as honesty, enthusiasm, and maturity—qualities

that make you indispensable in the work placeREFERENCESThink carefully about who can act as your references. Type the name, title, company, address, and phone/fax number of three to four references.Prior permission to use any individual’s name as a reference is a must and as

a courtesy, inform your references that they may be contacted.

Someone from your school (teacher, guidance counsellor, coach, administrator).

Someone you've worked for (summer, part-time or full-time employer).

Someone you've worked for on a casual basis (babysitting, shovelling snow, delivering papers).

Someone you've helped (as a volunteer or as a friend).

Someone whose opinion is respected (elder, minister, community leader).

You cannot use a relative!!