Feel confident in your application: Resume writing tips!
If you clicked on this blog post, you're in for some exciting news! Join us on August 1st and 8th, 2024, for a FREE, in-person, and online skills-building workshop in partnership with the Women in Need Society (WINS). This workshop will help you master resume building and interview skills. For more information and to sign up, contact us at 825-540-4717 or hubs@winsyyc.ca.
Before that, we want to share some quick and easy tips that you can incorporate into your resume today!
Make each resume specific to each job application
Show people what you have achieved. The importance of achievements is that they show what you have achieved, not just what you have done. They show the difference you can make for an organization — e.g. how much you can increase sales or meet customer's needs. More importantly, they will (if crafted correctly) set you apart from others with similar experience. They will also allow the recruiter or hiring manager to envision the great things you have done and how you can benefit their business — Del Edwards – FESA Facilitator and Owner of Blue Sky View Consulting.
At first, this may seem like a big ask, but it's more straightforward than it appears. First, think of job hunting as one of your current jobs. Second, you don't need to start from scratch for every application. Instead, create multiple versions of your resume, highlighting the roles, skills, experiences, and training most relevant to each job.
Make it as easy to read as possible
A universal tip for all types of resumes is to be clear, easy to read and concise. Stick to relevant details — Abu Nyamekye – FESA Facilitator, Recruitment Consultant and Owner of Tritan Group.
Applying for a job can be disheartening, especially knowing your application is one of hundreds, possibly thousands. Put yourself in the shoes of someone reviewing that many resumes — after a while, their engagement drops. To ensure your resume gets read, make it as easy to read as possible:
Start with a resume template, then customize it.
List the most relevant information first.
Make sure all your information is accurate and correctly spelled.
Keep it short — two pages max, ideally one.
Have someone review your resume before sending it out.
Tell the truth, but be creative
Remember, you have many skills that can be transferred to the workplace, traditional and non-traditional skills — Shawna Linklater – FESA Facilitator, Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles.
For those looking to break into a new field or who don't have much experience, showcasing your qualifications on your resume can seem impossible. You might think, “I don't have any experience; what could I put on my resume?”
Assuming you are qualified for the position, you have experience and knowledge to include. You can draw from experiences outside traditional jobs. Highlight class projects, personal business ventures, or hobbies directly related to the job, such as serving as the treasurer of your club, designing a website for your photography portfolio, or managing a kitchen renovation while adhering to all legal requirements. If you lack direct experience, focus on adjacent transferable skills.
Other job experiences and schooling/training are the most concrete ways to demonstrate your knowledge. However, if you need to bolster your resume, highlight those transferable skills.
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