Resumes

RESUMES 

Your resume is a key part of the job application process. It gives you the opportunity to tell an employer why you should be hired. Both format and content are important aspects of a resume. To help you prepare an effective resume you will review the key components of a resume and learn about different types of resumes. There are several sample resumes you can refer to when preparing your own resume.

CONTENT

A resume is a one or two-page portrait of your work-related skills and accomplishments. It is a marketing tool that is used to present yourself and your skills to a prospective employer. Its purpose is to convince the employer that he or she should meet with you for an interview. A resume alone will not get you a job, but it will increase your chances of getting an interview.                                                                                                                                      An employer will most likely spend less than a minute reading your resume so it must, as quickly and clearly as possible, do two things:

1. Tell the employer what you want to do for the company (in the Objective section)

2. Demonstrate that you are the best applicant for the job (in the Summary of Qualifications section) The main sections of a resume are listed below. They usually appear on a resume in this order:

• Personal Information

• Work Objective or Career Goal

• Summary of Qualifications/Skills Summary

• Education

• Work Experience

• Awards/Scholarships

• Volunteer Experience

• Activities and Interests

• References

3.  You must ensure that your resume clearly sets you apart from the dozens or hundreds of other resumes the employer will see. The best way to do this is to focus on what the employer needs. Imagine you are the employer, and think about the skills, experiences and qualities that the ideal candidate for this job would possess.

4.  Brainstorm a list of your skills, experiences and accomplishments that match the employer’s needs. Consider all areas of your life, not just your employment history when identifying your strengths. This information will be presented in the Summary of Qualifications section of your resume. The rest of your resume will contain evidence that supports these statements.

Types of Resumes

There are different types of resumes.  Please pick Chronological.  This means putting your most recent experiences first and working backwards. 

ASSIGNMENT

Create or update your resume.  Use myBlueprint to create an easy resume:

Step One:  Log in to your account at http://myblueprint.ca/tdsb 

• Click "Login with school account" 

• Login:  same as logging into the school computer

• Password:  same as your school account 

• Click on the menu 

• Click on Work and then on Resume (ask your teacher for help if needed)