Week 1

 A resume is a formal document that a job applicant creates to

itemize their qualifications for a position
 A resume is usually accompanied by a customized cover letter
in which the applicant expresses an interest in a specific job
or company and draws attention to the most relevant
specifics on the resume

Bloomenthal, A. (October 21 2021). Resume. Investopedia.com. As retrieved from

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/resume.asp
 What is your purpose for this document?
 Who is your target audience(s) and what are their key
characteristics?

Resumes don’t get you hired – they win interviews

 A resume is a marketing document – it’s a sales brochure, and
the product is you
 When writing your resume, you need to think about the
customer and include information that is specifically relevant
to them
 In this case the customers are potential employers of people
in the jobs you would like to be hired for
 A successful resume will capture their interest enough so that
they will want to find out more about you in a job interview
Workopolis. (November 2 2015). How to write a resume. Workopolis.com. As retrieved
from https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-to-write-a-resume-with-
downloadable-template/
 Clearly outline your qualifications
 Highlight your relevant experience
 Minimize any weaknesses
 Create the image of a professional
 Show your potential
 Human Resources
◦ Little technical experience, many jobs on the go
◦ Experienced in hiring
 Hiring Manager
◦ Very busy, likely good technical experience
◦ May / may not have hiring expertise
 Potentially Future Colleagues
◦ Looking for a good colleague (ie. someone who will do their share, and
be a good fit for the team)
◦ May / may not have hiring expertise
 What must your resume look like for success?
 Contact information
 Education Background
 Experience – jobs, volunteer work, skills
 References
 Options include summary of skills, objectives,
personal interests, publications, professional
development

Everything else is a personal preference / decision

 Very much a matter of personal taste
 Can be an opportunity to distinguish yourself
 Functional vs chronological
 Must be consistent
 It’s not all about you
 Play up your skills / outcomes
 You are probably not the “ideal, perfect, unique”,
“candidate that I’ve been waiting for”
 Don’t over patronize / flatter
 How “unique” is too unique?
 How “enthusiastic” is too enthusiastic?
 Start to wean out your high school stuff to establish
yourself as a professional
 https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-to-write-a-resume-
with-downloadable-template/
 http://www.resume-help.org/resume_writing.htm
 http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/aa030401a.htm

There are also inexpensive books available on various book

publishing websites like Amazon and Indigo that you may want to
consider re latest trends with resumes

The Niagara College Job Board

https://www.niagaracollege.ca/ces/jobs/
Please have a copy of your resume and cover
letter ready and available ahead of next class

We will also have a guest speaker from HR / recruiting

at Niagara Region to discuss the importance of
resumes and cover letters, and what they look for on
such submissions