Job Seeker Tools
Resume Outline – Chronological Format
The chronological format will be the best choice for most applicants. It is by far the most-used resume style because it is easy for a recruiter to skim your qualifications and work history to find out if you've got what they're looking for. It includes the following:
Your full name
Your address: In the interest of maintaining privacy, you may choose not to include your mailing address (particularly when posting a resume to a website).
Your contact phone number: It is a good idea to include your cell phone number. Do not include your work number if you don't wish to be contacted there.
Your email address: Use an email name and address that sound professional.
Summary: A brief, concise statement describing your strongest skills, your work experience and your strengths.
Professional Experience
- Start with your present or most recent employer
- List all employment (concentrating on the experience that is relevant to the position that you are currently seeking and your latest relevant experience)
- Give the company name, location and brief description (e.g., third largest air conditioning company in the world)
- List your title (if you held more than one position with the same company, list each one separately) and dates of employment
- Highlight your accomplishments and achievements
- Include the scope of responsibilities and outcomes of your work
- Use strong resume action verbs and phrases such as managed, developed, initiated and coordinated
- Include numbers when possible (such as "saved the company $30,000" or "reduced the cost of a product by 5%")
- Repeat for each position
Education
If you are a recent graduate, or if your education is more relevant to the job than your work experience, you can place this section above the professional experience section.
- Name and location of trade or technical school, college or university
- Certificate, diploma or degree
- Graduation date or expected date of graduation if you are still attending
- For soon-to-graduate students and recent graduates, it is recommended that you list your major courses
Honours and awards
- List any awards or distinctions you have received, such as dean's list or scholarships
Skills and Training
- Any relevant skills not listed under professional experience
- All relevant courses/workshops/seminars
- All relevant computer skills, e.g., Microsoft Word, CAD, etc.
- Foreign languages
Citizenship
- Optional -- depending on the job for which you are applying
Memberships
- List professional licenses, memberships and associations
