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Using resume
templates can be very helpful as you start with a draft
as opposed to starting from nothing. Most resume
templates already provide the basic layout and basic
categories. From there, you only need to tailor
the template to your liking and fill in the missing
information.
Although
using resume templates is convenient, they are not
necessary. If you are good with Microsoft Word,
you can design your own resume in a way that will be
distinctive and unique. Please see the
Resume Layouts section
for tips on how to design
your resume. Below is a
step-by-step resume template to help you draft your
resume from scratch.
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 1: Name & Contact Information
At the top
of your resume, make sure to mention the following:
-
Your name.
-
Your address. [If you have two addresses, you
can choose to mention both, but that might take up
valuable space or unnecessarily distract the
reader's attention. Instead, you can mention
only your current address. If a recruiter is
interested in your application, that person will
probably contact you by phone or e-mail.
Accordingly, as long as that information is accurate
and up-to-date, that's the main concern. One
circumstance under which you may want to mention two
addresses is if you are studying abroad or in another state
or province and want to let the employer know that
you are originally from a particular area.]
-
Your telephone number. [Only mention your home
number and your cell number. Avoid mentioning
your work number as you do not want to be contacted
at work. You should also think twice before
giving out your cell number because (1) you want to
avoid interferences, which are common when talking
on a cell phone and (2) you want to sound
professional when you answer the phone (e.g. you
don't want to answer the phone while you are walking
or rushing somewhere). On a last note, make
sure to have a voice mail and to record a
professional message.]
-
Your e-mail address. [Choose a professional
address. E.g.
john.doe@gmail.com
instead of bluepirate@hotmail.com.]
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 2: Objective
State
your objective either (1) by writing the title of
the position that you are applying for and by drawing
focus to that title (i.e. put the title at the top of
the page - center and bold), or by (2) adding a specific
"Objective" section accompanied by a pro-active
statement.
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 3: Summary of Qualifications
Summarize
your qualifications in a few sentences
highlighting your strengths in a way that is most
relevant to the position you are seeking. You can
start that section with a short paragraph followed by
bulleted points. Remember, you want to make an
"impact" in your Summary of Qualifications.
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 4: Work Experience
State
your professional experience in a way that will
highlight what you can bring to prospective employers
based on your past accomplishments. Show how your
past employment record will make you a valuable
contributor to the new position.
Make sure to
mention for each work experience that you have:
- the
name of the employer;
- where
the employer is located;
- a
short description of the employer's line of
business; and
- the
time period during which you were employed.
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 5: Education & Professional
Designations
Mention
your educational background, including:
- the
university, college, or school that you attended;
- the
location of the institution that you attended;
- the
degree you obtained;
- the
time period during which you attended that
institution;
-
extra-curricular activities or projects that you
were involved in; and
- your
GPA if you feel it will advance your application
(i.e. if you have a high GPA).
In terms
of your professional designations, mention the name of
the institution from which that designation comes from
and the year you obtained that designation.
RESUME TEMPLATE - PART 6: Computer Skills, Languages,
Etc.
In a work
environment that is more and more computerized, it is
important to mention your level of proficiency with
computer systems. Enumerate the computer programs
with which you are familiar and characterize your level
of familiarity with those programs. Same thing
with your language skills. If you can speak more
than one language, mention the additional language(s) with
which you are familiar and your level of proficiency.
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