Career Resources
What is a resume?
- Self-marketing tool used to get an interview
- Introduces you to the employer
- Provides employers with a sense of who you are and how your skills & knowledge will benefit them
- Should outline your skills, education, experience and accomplishments
What goes on my resume?
Headings can include but are not limited to (not necessarily in this order):
- Personal Information
- Skills and accomplishments
- Education
- Work experience
- Additional headings (awards, volunteer experience, community involvement)
Personal Information
This would typically include your first and last name, credentials, phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL, website (if applicable). If employer of interest is in your city, you can include your city.
Your phone number should have a professional voicemail connected to it that states your name so the caller knows they are leaving a message for you. For email addresses, use your first and last name, if possible, or first initial with last name. If necessary, you can include numbers, but avoid using your birth year. Consider using a current email account, such as Gmail or Outlook.
Skills & Accomplishments
Other than what is included in your work experience section. List in functional order and quantify them when possible. If using a job posting, try to match this section with the job qualifications
Education
High school information is unnecessary. Indicate your program of study and the school, as well as the date started and expected graduation date. You can also add relevant courses and projects
Work Experience
In reverse chronological order (most recent first), include the position title, company, location, and time frame of employment (e.g. January 2020 – February 2021 or January 2020 – Present)
See the resume handouts below for tips on how to write accomplishment statements for current and previous jobs
*Note: As much as possible, choose work and school experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for.
For more information, log into Career Connection to download the following:
How to Write Accomplishment Statements in Resumes
Article - How to 'Prove' Soft Skills: Proving Soft Skills in Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews
Need Help?
The Career Development Centre offers students FREE resume and cover letter building workshops and reviews. Go to https://www.kpu.ca/careers/resume-review to upload your documents or book a one-on-one appointment through Advisor Connect. You can sign up for workshops through Career Connection.