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:
- 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?
- Because you should put the odds in your favour. Quality is more important than quantity.
- Because the key to success is to send out targeted applications. As you will soon find out, sending out targeted applications is time consuming.
- 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?