Before you can apply for jobs on platforms such as Indeed or Linkedin, it is crucial to have a well-prepared resume to submit to potential employers. Even if you do not have formal work experience, you can create a resume based on your volunteer experience or highlight skills you are good at to capture an employer's attention. In this blog, I will delve into key sections your resume should include and how to format your resume.
1. Choose a format for your resume
The format you select for your resume should reflect the clarity and organization of your work experiences, skills, and achievements. The three main resume formats include:
Chronological resume format - focuses extensively on your work experience (while also including your skills and abilities) List your work experience directly under your career objective Your work experiences should be arranged starting from your most recent position Chronological resume format is the most common format
Functional resume format - focuses extensively on your skills and abilities (while also including your working experience) List your skills and abilities under your career objective Your skills and abilities should reflect your strengths to set you apart from other applicants
Combination resume format - a mix between chronological and functional resume format It is designed to empathize your most essential skills, while also presenting your job experience arranged starting from your most recent position
2. Include your name and contact information
At the top center of your resume, include your full name in a larger font than the rest of your resume. Below your name, provide your email address and phone number to ensure that employees can reach out to you about potential job opportunities or interview scheduling. Including your address is optional.
The format could look like this:
[Full Name in larger font centered]
[Phone number in resume font centered]
[Email address in resume font centered]
[Address (optional) in resume font centered]
Hamis Hegazy
(123) 456-789
abc@efg.com
123 road NW, Edmonton, Alberta
3. Add a summary objective
Following your name, create a section titled “Career Objectives” where you can highlight your career goals, objectives, and key qualifications that make you suitable for the job you are applying for. This section of the resume can be customized if you apply to different jobs.
For example, if you are applying for a cashier position, your career objective could look like this: “Detail-oriented individuals with a strong work ethic seeking a part-time cashier position to be part of a team and contribute to the company’s success. Eager to provide excellent customer service and utilize my interpersonal skills to ensure customer satisfaction.”
4. Include work experience (or volunteer experience)
If you have previous work or volunteer experience, include the name of the company you worked (or volunteered) for, the company address, your position at the company, date of employment, and in bullet points, outline your job responsibilities. This section could be titled “Work Experience” or/and “Volunteer Experience.”
The format could look like this:
[Name of company]
[Position]
[Date of employment (and end date if applicable)] [Responsibilities]
Walmart Canada, Edmonton, Alberta
Cashier and Customer Service Associate
September 2021 to present
Process transactions Handle cash Process refunds
5. List your skills
Write skills that you are proficient in, which align with skills with the job posting requirements. Include both your personal skills and professional skills, so that you stand out from other applicants. This section could be titled “Summary of Qualifications.”
Examples for personal skills to include:
Critical thinking skills
Problem solving skills
Communication skills
Time management skills
Examples for professional skills to include:
Computer skills
Presentation skills
Teamwork skills
Language skills
6. Education
List your educational background, starting with the most recent. Ensure that you mention if you received a diploma or degree.
Make sure to list:
Name of school
Location of school
Start date and end date (or expected end date)
The type of degree/diploma earned
The format could look like this:
[Name of school attended, address]
[Type of degree if in university]
[Start date and end date]
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Bachelor of Science with Specialization in Chemistry September 2021 to present
7. Certifications and licenses
List any certifications and licenses to increase your chance of job opportunities.
Certification/licenses can include:
-First Aid and CPR
-WHMIS Training
-Forklift operator license
-Computer programming certifications
8. Awards and achievements
List any awards and achievements to increase your chance of job opportunities.
Awards/achievements can include:
-Highschool awards such as honors
-Scholarships earned Community and civic awards
Happy job search!
References:
https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover letters/what-to-put-on-a-resume
https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/professional-skills-vs-personal-skills
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/types-of-resumes
