NOTES ON RSUM WRITING

There are three main ways to organize the information on your rsum:
1. Chronological
2. Functional
3. Combination
1. Chronological Rsum
This is the best method to use when:
x You can show steady progress in your education and employment
x The name of your last employer is important
x You want to find a job in the same area as your previous one
Dont use this format if:
x You want to emphasize skills you havent used in other jobs
x Youre looking for a job youve never done before
x Youve changed jobs a lot
Chronological Rsum Structure
x Starts off with a job objective or a personal profile
x Groups education, work and volunteer experiences and lists items in reverse
chronological order
x May include a section on awards and accomplishments
x Provides information on interests
x Provides references
2. Functional Rsum
This is the best format to use when:
x You have little or no actual work experience in the area in which youre looking for
work
x You havent worked before
x You want to emphasize talents and skills you havent used in a particular job
x Youve had a variety of jobs in the past which arent connected
x Youve done mostly temporary work in the past
Dont use this format when:
x You have a steady pattern of jobs and education
x Your past employers are important in relation to your job objective

NOTES ON RSUM WRITING

Functional Rsum Structure

Starts off with a job objective

List of skills and/or achievements that support the objective
Groups education, work and volunteer experiences and lists items in reverse
chronological order (most recent first)

Provides information on interests

Provides references
3. Combination Rsum
This is the best format to use when:
x Your education is an important part of your skills and your practical skills are
limited
x Your background shows a wide range of unrelated skills
x Your work history isnt reflective of you as a stable workeryouve held a lot of
different jobs
x Your work history shows more time in other work areas

PARTS OF A RSUM
NAME
x Do not use nicknames
x

Highlight so it stands out: bold, larger font

ADDRESS
x Use your complete address
x Dont use abbreviations except for the 2-letter abbreviations for provinces (i.e.
NS, NB, PE)
x Put the postal code on a line by itself
TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBERS
x Include area code. 2 acceptable styles are: (902) 555-1234 or 902/555-1234
EMAIL ADDRESS
x Include it if you have one, giving the message you are computer literate
x Do not use an email address that is inappropriate (i.e. hotchick@hotmail.com)

NOTES ON RSUM WRITING

OBJECTIVE OR PROFILE
x An objective gives focus, direction and support to the body of the rsum
x It is an attention grabber
x If you are shopping for work, you might use a Career Profile focusing on skills,
achievements and character attributes
EDUCATION
x List your most recent education first
x Include the name of the school and dates (years) of attendance
x Include courses studied, particularly if your rsum is short
x Additional training courses and certificates should be included
x It is not necessary to include your junior high
WORK EXPERIENCE
x List your most recent work experience first and work backwards
x Include dates, job title, employer, job responsibilities
x Use action verbs to tell what you have done
x Include volunteer work experience
AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES
x List academic honours or certificates you received
x Stress extra-curricular activities and special achievements in sports, clubs, or
other school activities
x These offer employers evidence of leadership, dedication and initiative
SPECIAL SKILLS AND ATTITUDES
x Highlight the skills you have that relate directly to the position for which you are
applying
x These may include specific computer applications, fluency in a foreign language, or
special abilities you possess that are not necessarily part of your formal education
x Highlight attributes such as honesty, enthusiasm, and maturityqualities that make
you indispensable in the work place
REFERENCES
x Think carefully about who can act as your references. Type the name, title,
company, address, and phone/fax number of three to four references.
x Prior permission to use any individuals name as a reference is a must and as a
courtesy, inform your references that they may be contacted.

NOTES ON RSUM WRITING

Who can you ask to be a reference?

x
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Someone from your school (teacher, guidance counsellor, coach, administrator).

Someone you've worked for (summer, part-time or full-time employer).
Someone you've worked for on a casual basis (babysitting, shovelling snow,
delivering papers).
Someone you've helped (as a volunteer or as a friend).
Someone whose opinion is respected (elder, minister, community leader).
You cannot use a relative!!

Should you include your References?

x There are different opinions on whether or not to include the actual references on
your rsum. If you decide not to include them on your rsum, follow these
suggestions:
In the Reference section, type References Attached and prepare them on a
separate sheet which matches your rsum.
Type References Available on Request and do not submit them with your
rsum.
Rsums that say References available on request risk delay or rejection
Employers in a hurry will likely favour people whose references are attached to
the rsum.
The employer may recognize one of your references and be impressedmaking
your rsum stand out from the others!

DO
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RSUM DOS AND DONTS

Use only one font size (12 pt) and one font style (Times New Roman, Arial)
Be consistent when using bold, italics, underlining
Leave 2-3 blank lines between sections
Use white, off-white, ivory or cream-coloured good-quality paper
Use power words (action verbssee handout)
Use a header including your name and page number on the second page
Staple the pages with one staple in the top left corner
PROOFREAD!!! and proofread again. Have someone else proofread for you.

DONT INCLUDE YOUR

Age/birthdate
Race
Religion

Marital status
Sexual preference
Social Insurance Number