Resume Writing Essentials 

Before focusing on each section of your resume, keep these essential guidelines in mind:

• Limit your resume to one page

• Use a professional, readable font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)

• Font size should be 11–12, with your name slightly larger (14–18 point font)

• Write in an impersonal voice — use first person without personal pronouns (avoid “I,” “me,” “my”). Begin statements with action verbs instead.

• Keep formatting consistent throughout (font, spacing, bullet style)

• Use clear, concise bullet points (avoid long paragraphs - should not exceed 2 lines)

• Keep the number of bullet points under each experience consistent so the resume looks balanced and organized

• Align dates on the right-hand side of the page for a clean and professional layout

• Sell yourself - highlight the value and skills you bring to an employer

• Include relevant skills and experiences related to the position

• If you have limited work experience, include volunteer work, school activities, clubs, sports, or leadership roles

• Use professional language and avoid slang or informal wording

• Do not include personal details such as age, hobbies, a photo, physical description, or personal traits unrelated to the job

• Avoid large areas of blank space — adjust spacing, bullet points, or section length so the resume looks full, balanced, and professional

• Proofread carefully — spelling and grammar matter

• Save and submit your resume as a PDF, unless instructed otherwise

Education Section Tips 

• List your current high school only - do not include any education before high school

• Include the school name, start date (Month Year), and expected graduation (Month Year), with dates aligned to the right-hand side of the resume

• You may add relevant coursework if it connects to the position or placement

• List courses with grades only if they are strong and relevant

Achivement Section Tips 

Experience Section Tips 

• Include paid work, volunteer roles, co-op placements, school-based experiences, or extracurricular involvement

• Prioritize what is most relevant to the job or placement you are applying for

• If you have paid or volunteer work experience, list this before school-based experiences or extracurricular activities

• School-based experiences and extracurricular involvement should be included only if they add value, demonstrate relevant skills, or if you have limited work experience.

• You do not need to include every experience - focus on quality and relevance over quantity

• For each role, list the job title, organization/company, and dates of involvement using the format Month Year – Month Year or Month Year – Present.

  • (i.e., July 2021- May 2023 or Sept 2024 - Present) 

• List experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

• Start each bullet point with a strong action verb

• Use bullet points to explain your responsibilities (what you did), the approach or skills used (how you did it), and the outcome or contribution (what it resulted in)

• Show your skills in action by weaving them into your experience descriptions, not just listing them at the end of your resume. 

• Keep bullet points clear and concise (no more than two lines each)

• Use a consistent number of bullet points under each experience for a balanced layout

• Tailor descriptions to the job or placement you are applying for

Skills Section Tips 

• Include this section only if space permits. 

• Ensure listed skills are relevant to the job or placement you are applying for

• Use the Skills section to summarize strengths, not repeat entire job descriptions

• Focus on transferable skills and technical skills

• Keep skills specific and employer-friendly (avoid vague terms like “hard-working” or “good attitude”)

• Do not list skills without context — skills should be supported by examples

• Avoid listing too many skills — quality is more important than quantity

• Use a clean, easy-to-scan format (bullet points)

• Update your skills section for each application to match the role