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At YWCA Saskatoon we believe it is important to maintain your job search momentum. As such the Employment and Learning Centre will offer you weekly job search advice and support that you can complete from home.

Today’s post is the first in a two-part series on resumes…

Employers use resumes throughout the hiring process to learn more about applicants and whether they might be a good fit. Your resume should be easy to read, summarize your accomplishments and skills, and highlight relevant experience. Below are tips to help you write a great resume.

While there are a few commonly used resume styles, your resume should reflect your unique education, experience, and relevant skills. You might consider having multiple versions of your resume tailored to the jobs you’re applying for. Here are a few key resume writing tips that will help you organize and design your resume.

Look for keywords in the job postings: The best place to start when preparing to write a resume is to carefully read the job postings that interest you. As you apply for different jobs, you should study each job description for keywords that show what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Include those keywords in your resume where relevant. Pay particular attention to anything listed in the sections labeled “Requirements” or “Qualifications.” If you have the skills that employers are looking for, you can add these same terms to your resume in the experience or skills sections.

Review resume examples for your industry: When crafting your resume, you might study examples of resumes from your industry for inspiration and best practices. The main takeaways you should look for:

·         Make it simple and easy to read. Resume samples are simple and straightforward. This is because employers have a minimal amount of time to review your resume, so readability is key. This also means selecting a professional, clean font.

·         Make it brief. You’ll notice that each section of the resume sample is short and to-the-point, including the summary and experience descriptions. Including only the most key and relevant information means employers are able to consume more information about you, and more quickly understand your fit for the role.

When using resume samples, you should keep in mind that these are not meant to be copied exactly. While you should avoid using them as a template, samples are useful as examples of high-quality resumes in your industry and job title.

Use a professional font: Because employers have only a short time to review your resume, it should be as clear and as easy to read as possible. You should use a basic, clean font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points. Selecting a clear, readable font will help make your resume appear more professional.

Use active language: Your resume should be written using active language without extraneous words. This means using power words, such as “achieved,” “earned,” “completed” or “accomplished.” If your resume is too long or seems hard to read, you might consider making sentences shorter or ideas more concise.

Your Employment and Learning staff are working in-person by appointment, and remotely through email, phone, and Zoom. Should you have any questions about resumes, job searching, job interviews, or job searching online, feel free to contact our Employment and Learning staff for support.  You can reach us at:

• (306) 986-2873 (Telephone)
• (306) 292-6184 (Text)
• employmentservices@ywcasaskatoon.com (Email).

Stay motivated; stay healthy as you achieve your employment goals.

You can view the full original article by Indeed, at:  

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/10-resume-writing-tips