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A
good resume is the first step to a successful
job search. Following is a step-by-step approach
to resume writing that we hope will prove useful
to you.
Introspection
1) What are your priorities? What are you
looking for in a job? Challenge? Work/ life
balance? Career advancement? Learn to look at
the job search process in terms of what you want
for yourself and march towards that goal.
Basic Resume/ Brainstorming
2) Elaborate a rough version of what will
eventually become your resume. Let's call this
version your "basic resume." Try to recollect in
the most comprehensive way possible all your
accomplishments. Write them down in
chronological order.
3) Use this opportunity to verify the
information contained in your resume (dates,
numbers, etc.).
Initial Assessment
4) Decide whether or not you should apply to the
position:
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Before applying to a position, ask yourself if
you really want it.
-
If you are interested in the position, ask
yourself whether you think you are qualified for
it.
-
If you think you are qualified for it, ask
yourself whether you have a chance.
-
If you think you have a chance, apply.
Otherwise, look for the next opportunity.
5) Why not apply to as many jobs as possible?
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Because you should put the odds in your
favour. Quality is more important than quantity.
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Because the key to success is to send out
targeted applications. As you will soon find
out, sending out targeted applications is time
consuming.
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Because the measure of success is not to find
any job, but to find a job that you truly want
and one that will make you happy.
Background Information Gathering
6) If you are responding to a job posting, make
sure to read it carefully to search for hidden
clues. If you obtained your lead through
networking, ask for details from your contact
person.
7) Research the position, the industry, and the
employer. What are the skills required for the
position that you are interested in? How does
the industry affect the position (e.g. an
accounting position with a pharmaceutical firm
requires a different set of knowledge than an
accounting position with a mining company)? What
is the employer's corporate philosophy and how
does it impact the nature of the position? These
are all questions you should be able to answer
once you have done your research.
Resume Headings
8) Choose the main headings for your resume.
Objective, Summary of Qualifications, Work
Experience, Education, Computer Skills,
Languages, etc.
9) In addition to the usual headings, you should
consider adding specific headings that will be
of interest to the recruiter, such as: Computer
Skills, Languages, Professional Associations,
Community Involvement, Extracurricular
Activities, etc.
10) Make sure the additional headings you add
are relevant to the position you are applying to
and think in practical terms. Many details are
often omitted from job postings, but if you can
read between the lines and do proper research,
you can always come up with additional needs
that the employer has but that are not stated.
For instance, you may notice that the employer's
office is located in a neighborhood with a
strong immigrant population. How about drawing
attention to your multilingual background or
your openness to other cultures?
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