Resumé Writing | Seneca Works | Seneca Students

Tips

Create a resumé that employers will notice:

• tailor your resumé to each job
• use industry-related language
• highlight accomplishments by quantifying and qualifying (%, $, #)
• use keywords from the job description to match your skills/qualifications
• avoid first person language (i.e., ‘I’ and ‘me’)
• proofread to make sure there are no spelling and grammar mistakes
• one to two pages with an effective use of white space
• clear and concise statements
• standard fonts and font sizes

Sections

The layout will depend on your resumé style and the job description. Different sections commonly used to help organize information include:

Header
Include your first and last names, address, email address and phone number

Highlights of Skills/Qualifications
List four to six bulleted points relevant to the position you are applying for.
Outline relevant experience, education and skills in order of importance.
This can include: years of experience, certifications, designations, transferable skills, computer/technical skills or language skills

Education
List your education in reverse chronological order (most recent dates first). Highlight major projects completed or the skills, knowledge and experience you gained from your course of study.

Work Experience or Relevant Project Work
List work history in reverse chronological order (most recent dates first). Use Action Verbs to convey the skill(s) used and try to show your transferable skills and accomplishments with each point. See a list of the top transferable skills employers want.

Volunteer Experience
Format this section using the same style oulined for 'Work Experience.'

Include accomplishments such as:

• extracurricular activities (only if related to the job).
• certifications
• training, associations, professional development
• awards/accomplishments (i.e., academic, professional and personal).

Styles

Chronological

• positions are listed by recent experience first (reverse chronological order)
• can include a summary of skills before work experience
• education, certifications and special skills are also included

Skills Based

• skills are more relevant than work history
• appropriate if there are employment gaps, little or no previous work experience
• skills applicable to the position

Combination

• designed for job seekers who have extensive and/or varied experience
• suitable for entering a new industry 

Technology-friendly

Some form of Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is used to scan job applications and manage resumé data. To make a resumé technology-friendly, you must tailor it to the industry, company and job. Consider the following:

File type
The application system will specify which file type(s) is acceptable. (e.g., PDF, .docx, etc.)

Length
It does not matter in an applicant tracking system but be strategic on your content.

Formatting
All letters should be clear. Capitalization and the use of multiple fonts are common however, avoid overly decorated fonts and condensed words. Do not obscure text with underlining and bolding.

Location
Be aware that many systems are set up to search and qualify candidates based on location.

Header/Footer
Never put information in the header. Page numbers can be included in the footer.

Need more help?

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