How To Write a Perfect Resume!
Shirley Parsons Canada, in partnership with SOPHe (The School of Occupational and Public Health Course Union) at Toronto Metropolitan University, recently hosted a highly informative workshop for health and safety professionals seeking to enhance their resumes and stand out in the job market.
The engaging workshop delved into the key elements of a winning resume, including effective formatting techniques, the use of powerful action verbs, and the crafting of compelling ‘key results statements’ that showcase an individual's strengths and achievements.
Here are the key questions we received following our Resume Building Workshop webinar:
What do I need to list in my contact information section?
These are the things you should always include in your contact information -
•Your first and last name
•Location – city and province are sufficient. No need to list your full address.
•Phone number and professional email address.
•LinkedIn URL – only if you have a personalized/shortened one.
*However, DO NOT include a photo or anything about your race or marital status.
How many sections should be included in my resume?
The required information in a resume should be your contact information, professional / work experience, your previous education and any training you have undertaken.
Other sections are optional and depend on your career and previous experience.
How should I order the sections in my resume?
The sections in your resume should be ordered from most to least impactful. For example, if the position you are applying to emphasizes a certain degree/level of education that you have obtained and you are early in your career, you may choose to list your education before your work history.
However, if you have previous experience in a similar role, then list this first.
Is there a limit in bullet points you should have under each job you’ve held?
There is not limit to how many bullet points you should include under every position you have held. However, you should ask yourself if the points you have listed are relevant, descriptive and impactful.
Remember not to just copy and paste the job description into this section. Employers and recruiters want to see the impact you’ve had in that role.
How many years of work history should I list?
This all depends on you and what stage of your career you are at. If you do have extensive experience, then the ‘go to’ standard is your last 10 years of work history.
How many pages should my resume be?
While there is no hard and fast rule, you should aim for your resume to be at most, 2 pages long.
Should I include references on my resume?
Including references in your resume is not necessary. Requesting references is part of the recruitment/hiring process. You can put ‘references available upon request’ at the end, but it can be a waste of space and is not needed.