Your resume, also called your “CV” sometimes, is your most important tool when applying for a job. It constitutes your first impression before meeting the recruiters in person, and it breaks the ice between you and your dream company.
It doesn’t matter how qualified you are, or how much experience you have – if your resume is poorly presented or badly written, you’ll have to say goodbye to an interview. Taking the time to work on your resume is really important, now let’s take a look at what you should include in your resume:
Contact Information
This may be the most obvious one, but do you know what kind of contact information you need and where to put them? People sometimes forget to include their email address (which might be the most professional method of communication), or they bury it at the bottom of the page. The most effective way to deliver this message is to put your name, phone number, email, and perhaps URL to your LinkedIn profile right at the top of the page.
It’s not necessary to include your home address. Not only is your home address irrelevant information that takes up space, it may also cause safety issues as it reveals too much privacy. Also, only include one phone number and one email address; only give them the best way to contact you. You don’t need to put on both your home and cell numbers, it will only confuse the recruiters.
Educational Experience
On your resume, you should list your educational accomplishments, starting with your most recent or highest degree/diploma. Include the name and location of the institution you attended, the duration of your education, the name of your degree/diploma, and your field of study.
You could include your GPA if your industry or company ask for it. If you decide to include it, keep in mind that as your work experience grows, your GPA loses its relevance. The more work experience you gain, the less your GPA will be seen as an indicator of your performance as much as factors like your promotions and your level of responsibility and growth.
Accomplishments and Achievements
Listing your past accomplishments relevant to the position you’re applying for is a great way to showcase how your qualities reflect the company’s requirements. Employers need to know what you’ve done to contribute to the growth of your department, team, and company to determine whether your strengths align with the needs and responsibilities of their company and the job opening.
On your resume, under each of past job title and description, include the most important, impressive, and relevant achievements. If you don’t have any work experience, you could also list accomplishments you’ve received while in school, such as a honorary academic standing, a well-reviewed project, or internship experiences.
Keywords from The Job Posting
You could also include some keywords and phrases from the job posting in your resume. Not that you should copy and past everything from the job posting, but think of ways to paraphrase the key information.
For instance, you could use same or similar adjectives from the posting to describe your achievements and past work experience, and embed some industry-specified terminology mentioned in the posting into your credentials. This is especially important if the employer uses a resume-scanning system, using their keywords will make you stand out instantly.
Certifications and Credentials
If you have a certification or advanced degree that’s considered to be an asset in your field, such as a CompTIA certification, a MCSA certification, a Certified Medical Assisting Professional (CMAP) designation, or a CPA or PCP certification, present it at the beginning of your resume. Also, add some details about your credentials in the education or professional development section to demonstrate how you achieved these and what you’ve learned from it.
As the largest career college in Canada with 50 campuses across the country, Academy of Learning College attributes the growth in our success to identifying the gap between the formal education available and the realities of the working world. We fulfill the needs of learners by developing customized programs for each student, while meeting the requirements for convenient and effective training at an affordable cost. Browse our program list by province and find the best program that suits your needs!