How to Create a Resume
The Basic Components:
1. General Information
2. Personal Data
3. Objective Statement
4. Education
5. Skills and Attributes
6. Work Experience
7. Hobbies and Interests
8. References.
General Information
 DO NOT USE A TEMPLATE!
 Use popular, non-decorative typefaces
 Use a font size of 11-14
 Use white paper, standard letter size 8 ½ x 11
 Avoid using italic, script and underlined passages. Capitalized words and
boldface is okay.
 Avoid graphics and shading. Do not compress the spacing between letters
 Avoid horizontal and vertical lines- they confuse the computer.
 Do not have a heading “Resume” at the top of the page. It is obvious
what it is.
 The smallest error (such as a spelling or grammar mistake may result in your
application being discarded).
Personal Data
 The title of your resume should consist of your legal name (first and last). If your legal name
differs from the name you would like to be called put the name you want to be called in
brackets. (i.e. Richard (Bill) Jones). Your name should be the first thing that is noticed when
you look at the resume, but it should not be so big that it becomes obnoxious.
 Below your name you should have your home address. Please notice that I have capitalized
“Ave” and “Surrey” and that BC has no periods between the letters.
Unit # 103 10256 108 Ave Surrey, BC V4C 5W1
 Below your address you should include your contact information which means your home
phone number, cell phone number and email. Please notice that there are no brackets
around the area code and that dashes have been put between the numbers when a phone
number is written out. The email address is appropriate! And the hyperlink has been removed
(no blue underline).
Home: 604-596-8876
Cell: 778-897-2245
billjones05@hotmail.com
 You should never include information about your marital status, age, or race and there should
never be a picture of yourself on the resume.
Objective Statement
Some Choose to omit this component from their resume and include it in the
cover letter where they can tailor the objective statement to the particular job
position and company.
However, some of you may want to include it because it adds to a resume
that has only a little bit of work or volunteer experience.
At it’s most simplest, the statement explains the purpose about why you are
writing a resume.
 “To obtain a part-time job in the retail industry”
Education
 List your educational background in reverse chronological order (most
recent first). The following information should be included:
 Name and location of educational institution
 Current grade you are enrolled in and any elective course that may be useful for the
job you are applying for. (i.e. If you are applying for a job in a restaurant you should
include your foods and nutrition elective).
 You could also include any certificates or awards that you have received as a part of
school.
Skills and Attributes
 This section offers you an opportunity to add information which may be
job related, but does not fit within other parts of your resume.
 It also gives you a chance to show the reader that you are a wellrounded individual with varied interests and experiences. This kind of
information can, in many cases, make your resume stand out as unique.
It may also give the interviewer a topic to begin the interview with.
 Brainstorming ideas:
 Do you speak, read or write another language?
 What computer programs do you know how to use?
 Teamwork skills (part of a team sport?)
Work Experience
 This component represents the main body of the resume. Items listed here
should be in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent
position held. You will need to include the following:
 Name and location of employer
 Start and end dates (month and year). If you are still working there then you would
write the start date and then instead of an end date you would write present.
 For each position identify major accomplishments, describe what you have done to
contribute to the organization. These statements always begin with an action verb and
describe your achievements in very specific terms. (i.e. Supervised a group of 20 youths
on an eight week recreational program).
 This is the most important part of your resume so take the time to write clear statements
that will highlight the skills you possess that are most relevant.
Hobbies and Interests
 Sports
 Clubs at school and outside of school
 Sewing, cooking, drawing, working on cars.
References
 DO NOT PUT THEM ON YOUR RESUME!
 You must create a separate sheet to bring with you to the job interview.
 On the separate sheet of paper you must include the same heading from you resume
(legal name, address and contact information).
 You must first ask your references if it is okay for use to use them as a reference. This is
important because it warns them they may need to talk about what a wonderful person
you are so they will think about it and be ready to sing your praises to a potential
employer. You cannot have your friends or family be a reference for you! References can
come from employment contacts, volunteer work or education. Try to have 3 references.
 Information you need to include about your references:
 First name and last name
 Company they work for and their job title
 Phone number(s)
 Email Address