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Sections

Provided is a list of 12 possible sections for a resume. Find out what each section can do for you. The sections you choose and their order depends on the format of your resume — chronological or skills based. Chronological and skills based resumes differ on how the Work Experience and Skill sections are handled. The different approaches are outlined in their section description.

	Contact Information
	Career Objective
	Education
	Work Experience
	Professional Qualifications
	Skills
	Awards / Achievements
	Affiliations
	Volunteer Work
	Interests
	References

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Ensure the employer can contact you easily Use a permanent address Provide an alternate number if you are often away from your phone and don’t have an answering machine Include an email address especially if you are submitting your resumes electronically Provide your web page portfolio address if you have one, as part of the contact information section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Career Objective

Your Career Objective is the perfect place to show the employer, in one or two sentences, how your interests and skills match his/her job. Employers use this section to see how your goals mesh with their needs. Include: Job Title, Reference to your skills or experience, the main benefits to the employer Make it the first statement in your Resume, no matter which type of resume you use. It should be no more than one or two sentences long Use this section to let a bit of your personality shine through, and show the employer what you can do Target the career objective specifically to the job and employer you are contacting Examples Web Designer: to use my graphic arts and marketing skills to create user friendly web sites that encourages new customers for the business. To use my teaching and organizational skills to develop educational Web sites. Retail Hardware Clerk: To apply my knowledge of construction and interpersonal skills as part of giving excellent customer service for building supplies company. Park Guide: To obtain a position in a national park and help Canadians appreciate our country's beauty and resources. My long term goal is to work in park or environmental management.

 

Education

Employers with a position that requires a certain type of education or training will use this section to screen resumes. Other employers will use the education achieved as an indicator of your ability to learn. List your education/training in reverse chronological order--the most recent educational experience first, the next-most-recent second, and so forth. Include completion date. Indicate the title of your degree, diploma or certificate and then the name and location of the educational institution List any academic honours you received List your minors and majors, if applicable to the position You may briefly mention successful school assignments if they demonstrate skills that can be applied specifically to the position you're seeking Include professional training, relevant workshops and training received on the job Whether you put education or work experience first in your resume depends on what is likely of most importance to the employer. Examples Mechanical Engineering Technology Huronia College of Applied Arts and Technology, Toronto, ON Dean's List (GPA 3.8/4.0), McLaren Award for first-class standing in Mechanical Program   2000 B.A. Commerce University of Alberta Developed award-winning business plan for manufacturing entrepreneur, received "A+" in Advanced Accounting

Work Experience

There are two different styles you can use for your work experience: Chronological Resume Tells the employer what jobs you've had, what you've accomplished in each, and your career progression Include: Employer name, Employer location, Type of organization (optional), Dates employed, Job title, Duties, responsibilities and key results. Highlight the work experience that will be of most interest to the employer. Use action verbs to show you're a person who gets things done. List your jobs in reverse chronological order--the most recent position first, the next-most-recent second, and so forth. Provide two or more items that indicate your tasks and what you accomplished in each position. Example   Acme Networks Ottawa, Ontario Information Officer 03/10/96-Present Composed departmental press releases Reviewed departmental texts and publications for quality assurance Answered public inquiry correspondence/wrote speeches for the Department Head Performed occasional translations from French to English Skills-Based Resume Knowing what other employers you have worked for helps the employer assess the kind of experience you have. In the skills based resume you provide the following information on previous employers: Job Title, Employer, Employer Location, and Type of organization (optional) Example Information Officer, Acme Networks, Ottawa, Network Development Company

Professional Qualifications

This section informs the employer of your professional, trade certifications and licenses to practice. Include voluntary and mandatory certifications. Include information on the issuing body for the certification If your membership is not up to date, get it renewed before including it Examples Professional Engineer- Alberta Professional Engineers and Geologists Association Certified Human Resources Practitioner- Human Resource Practitioner Association of Ontario Red Seal Certificate – Carpenter U.S Border Crossing Certificate (Truck drivers)

Skills

There are two different styles you can use for your work experience:   Skills-based Resume Tell the employer your skill areas and accomplishments. The skills based resume organizes your work experience by skill area. Describe skill areas Start with broad skill categories. Under each category provide detailed examples. Use action words Also include results achieved using the skills where appropriate Use short statements Creating Value Statements Employability Skills Checklist Example (with action words)   Wood Frame Construction Estimate material, time and resources required Construct forms for foundations Frame walls, floors and ceilings Consistently complete construction within budget and time estimate Chronological Resume Provide a list of skills that may not be included in your work experience. Example   Project management, fine woodworking, wood refinishing, drywall installation.

Awards / Achievements

From this section the employer can see highlighted achievements that may not apply specifically to the job you're seeking, but demonstrate your desire to achieve excellence. Information on specific awards or achievements can be highlighted separately or included under education or work experience Use short statements Be specific about what you've done Examples Received The Ottawa Citizen 2000 Short Story Award Elected Saskatoon President, The Diabetes Society Public Service Commission of Canada, President’s Award, Employee of the Year for 2000-2001 Received "A" for Honours Psychology thesis "Multiple Intelligences and Technology"

Affiliations

This section can help the employer see you as a well-rounded person. Include membership in professional or volunteer organizations. Use discretion in including religious or political affiliations

Volunteer Work

Your volunteer activities provide important information to employers about your personality, interests and skills. You can highlight skills and achievements obtained through non-paid work. Describe each volunteer activity as you would a work experience but with less detail. List your volunteer assignments in reverse chronological order-the most recent position first, the next-most-recent second, and so forth. Indicate your title for each volunteer position and the name of the organization. Provide two or more examples of what you did and accomplished in each position. Use action verbs to show you're a person who gets things done. Example Meal Deliverer, Meals on Wheels, Winnipeg MB   Delivered more than 500 meals to 10 live-at-home seniors Provided ongoing advice and assistance as required Worked with community team to set up a Neighbourhood Watch system Established neighbourhood baby-sitting co-operative Organized fund-raising activities for local not for profit organization

Interests

This section can help the employer see you as a well-rounded person. Be brief but show the range of your interests. Provides the employer with a more individualized view of you as a person Example Reading fiction, playing flute with an ensemble, exploring the Internet, participating in an investment club

References

Most employers check references after the interview. They check references to get informed opinions on your skills and work habits. You can name your references on you resume or state "References on request". References on request indicates that you have contacts who will discuss your qualifications with the hiring manager. If you use references on request, have a separate sheet with your references on it to take with you to the interview. Whichever way you provide your references the same principles apply. What the employer hears about you from your reference can be the deciding factor in whether you get the job. Your references need to be able to provide information on your skills, work habits, personal skills, and achievements Where possible select references with a standing within the industry or community where you are seeking work Ensure there is sufficient contact information for the employer to easily reach your reference In addition to asking your references permission it is a good idea to: Remind your reference of your skills and accomplishments Give your reference a copy of your resume Ask your reference what they would say about you especially in regards to such things such as interpersonal and team work skills, reliability, and work habits.

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