RESUMES 101: What to Include in Your Resume
Hi friends! This article lays out the content in a standard resume.
We’ll go through the sections in the order they typically appear in the resume. We’ll also show a standard layout for each section. At the end, we’ll put it all together in a sample resume.
NOTES:
1. These recommendations follow Canadian / North American norms. If you’re applying to jobs in other parts of the world, I encourage you to research the resume formats used in those regions!
2. This advice is not relevant to academic resumes, or curriculum vitae, which have their own norms.
Alright, let’s go!
THE SECTIONS OF A RESUME
1. Title (ESSENTIAL)
TITLE LINE 1: Your name. In font that is formatted to stand out, e.g., bold font, larger font size, capitalization, and centred text.
TITLE LINE 2: Contact information: Email & Phone Number (Essential); Mailing Address (Optional, but sometimes employers want to see confirmation of candidate’s place of residence)
LAYOUT
Jane E. Falcor
123 Mulberry Lane, Toronto ON, M2N 3S4
2. Objective (ESSENTIAL)
A customized section that outlines why you are submitting the resume and, if relevant, the specific role you are seeking.
LAYOUT
· To apply for the role of [insert exact job title here] [insert job # or identifier, if applicable] at [insert name of prospective employer]
3. Summary of Qualifications (OPTIONAL)
This is a highlight reel of the professional, educational, technical and personal qualifications that are especially relevant to the role for which you are applying.
LAYOUT
·10 years experience in this field / work task
Technical skill, database skill and computer program skill
Language competency 1 and 2
Evidence of personal commitment and passion for this field of work
4. Education (ESSENTIAL)
A list of your major educational accomplishments, typically multi-year degrees or diplomas.
If you have multiple degrees, present them reverse chronologically from most to least recent.
If you have completed a college or university degree – any studies where a high school diploma is a pre-requisite – do not list your secondary school education.
Option: Move this section below your “Professional Experience” section. You might choose to do this if your work experience is more relevant to the role you are apply to than your educational degrees and accomplishments.
LAYOUT
[Name of Educational Institution] [Location of Educational Institution]
[Name of Program Completed] [Start Date Month Year – End Date Month Year]
Optional: Names of notable scholarships or academic achievements
Optional: Select athletic and/or extracurricular achievements
5. Professional Experience (ESSENTIAL)
This section is the most important part of any resume. In this section, you will present a selection of your previous jobs. Using a consistent format for each role, provide the name and location of the workplace, job title, duration of the employment.
Then you will include a selection of tasks completed in that role. The selected tasks should reflect your most common duties and tasks, as well as your significant achievements. The experiences should also be relevant to the job you are applying to and – where accurate – use the same language as the job description for your desired role.
As you advance in your career, you will likely select your three or four most recent roles. You do NOT need to include every job you’ve ever held since you entered the workforce. Focus on your most recent and / or relevant experience.
LAYOUT
[Name of Workplace] [Location of workplace]
[Job Title for Position Held] [Start Date Month Year – End Date Month Year]
Task Completed 1
Task Completed 2
Task Completed 3
6. Additional Training / Certifications / Education (OPTIONAL)
If relevant, list less formal or shorter-term educational qualifications that you have completed such as conferences, professional development courses and skills development workshops.
LAYOUT
[Training Provider], [Name of Course], [Month Year Completed]
[Training Provider], [Name of Certificate], [Month Year Completed]
7. Volunteer / Community Experience (OPTIONAL)
If you have completed volunteer experiences relevant to your professional goals and to the job at hand, definitely include them in this section. If you are very active in your community and proud of your achievements in this area, feel free to include some highlights of your community volunteer experience.
LAYOUT
[Name of Organization] [Location of organization]
[Job Title of Volunteer Role] [Start Date Month Year – End Date Month Year]
Task Completed
[Name of Organization] [Location of organization]
[Job Title of Volunteer Role] [Start Date Month Year – End Date Month Year]
8. Hobbies and Interests (OPTIONAL)
I suggest including this only if it will really add value to your application. For example, if you are applying to a workplace that you know values the environment and outdoors activity, and you are an avid mountain biker and backwoods camper, then include a section for your relevant hobbies. Or if you’re applying to a charity that promotes physical activity, then your participation in basketball and soccer leagues is relevant.
If there isn’t a strategic relation between your hobby / interest and the job / company, skip this section.
LAYOUT
Activity 1
Interest 1
Activity 2
Pastime 1
9. References (OPTIONAL)
References are not necessary until later in the application process, unless otherwise requested by the prospective employer. However, if you want to acknowledge that you are happy and able to provide references when requested, you can include a comment to that effect.
I do not recommend including the names and contact information of your references at the application stage. If you are invited to an interview and asked for references, you will provide references at that stage.
Bonus tip: Always confirm with a reference that they are comfortable and available to provide a recommendation for you BEFORE you share their details with a potential employer.
LAYOUT
References are available upon request
SAMPLE RESUME
Jane E. Falcor
123 Mulberry Lane, Toronto ON, M2N 3S4
Objective
To apply for the role of Interior Designer, ID 37521003, with TrailBlazer Global Hospitality
Summary of Qualifications
7 years experience in interior design, including 4 years experience with Relaxscapes Hotels & Spas International and 7 years as a design consultant for AirBnB hosts
Substantial knowledge of the unique needs, clients relationships and supply chain logistics related to hospitality sector interior design
Demonstrated ability to work with clients to develop contemporary and timeless design for commercial, personal and mixed-use spaces
Lifelong learner who pursues opportunities to continually improve my knowledge of textile, paint, layout and other design techiques
Education
George Taylor College of Art & Design Toronto, ON
Interior Design Technician September 2014 – April 2016
Received President’s Award for Exceptional GPA in First Year of Studies and graduated with honours
Professional Experience
Relaxscapes Hotels & Spas International Vancouver, BC
Interior Design Assistant January 2018 – present
Led design consultation process for new spa in new Banff location, presenting three costed out designs and providing project management and implementation support for successful design
Received acknowledgement from senior leadership for cost effective refurbishment project of Vancouver hotel and spa
Improved knowledge of suppliers, vendors and supply chain management for commercial and hospitality sector interior design
Demonstrated collegiality and relationship building skills as a member of an international team active in 20 countries worldwide
Clara & Kat Studios Toronto, ON
Apprentice Designer June 2016 – December 2017
Received mentorship and instruction in real-world interior design from industry leaders Clara Montrose and Kat Dennis
Supported planning, implementation and debriefing on 30+ distinct client projects
Developed expertise in managing client relationships and expectations in the context of interior design projects
Demonstrated ability to liaise with and managed contractor relationships and accounts
Falcor Designs Consulting Co. Canada-wide, plus international virtual consultation
Founder & Consultant September 2015 – present
Demonstrated initiative and business savvy to establish own consultation firm for AirBnB hosts
Provided interior design service – including design layouts, rendering and hands-on styling – to over 100 clients
Developed and maintained digital platforms to promote my design brand attracting 10,000 followers across Pinterest and Instagram
Additional Training & Certification
Global Interiors Institute, Designing for Hotels Certificate, Remote, January – March 2021
Mary Rose Elite Designs, Transforming Space with Colours Course, London UK, July 2019
Benjamin Bright Paints, Interior Paint Techniques, Level I Workshop, NYC, NY March 2017
Benjamin Bright Paints, Interior Paint Techniques, Level II Workshop, Durham, North Carolina, November 2018
Community Experience
Caring Hearts Home Vancouver, BC
Volunteer Designer Job Title of Volunteer Role January 2022 – present
Supported refurbishment and design improvements to Caring Hearts Home, a residence used by parents of sick children who are staying at BC’s children hospital
Homes for All Canada-wide
Volunteer Builder 2013 – present
Participated in 24 builds (and counting!) as a volunteer builder with Homes for All, a non-profit organization that builds safe and affordable homes for low-income families
References
References are available upon request
