10 Résumé Tips from Best Canadian Résumés

Lori Jazvac

By Lori Jazvac.

Five years ago, I decided to challenge myself and become an entrepreneur and serve job seekers by launching Creative Horizons Communications. I found Career Professionals of Canada (CPC), a proudly Canadian organization that caters to career professionals who support jobseekers across Canada as well as globally. By collaboratively partnering with masterminds and members within CPC, I gained résumé writing skills and brought in clientele.

Through CPC, I learned how to strategically craft stand-out résumés that help market my clients in a competitive labour market. I signed up for CPC’s courses and programs and  increased my competitive edge by achieving my Certified Resume Strategist designation. As I gained confidence in my work, I received recognition through the CPC Awards of Excellence Program. Most recently, I have submitted my résumé samples for publication in the newest edition of Sharon Graham’s Best Canadian Résumés.

Ready to start on your path to developing some of the best Canadian résumés? Here are 10 tips that will help you develop your skills and enhance the résumés that you create for your clients:

  1. Showcase your client’s unique value proposition. The résumé should succinctly tell a compelling story from beginning to end. The résumé needs to address these questions about your client: Who is this applicant? What has this job seeker done? What sets the applicant apart? Why should the employer hire your client?
  2. Use your discretion when considering the appropriate length. Design the résumé as long or short as it needs to be to sustain the reader’s attention. Avoid cramming the document with redundant or meaningless information.
  3. Choose an effective layout and format that draws the reader’s eye to relevant information. Present content in an easy-to-read format. Include enough white space so the information is easier to digest.
  4. Focus on both qualitative and quantitative results. Ensure that the résumé leads with metrics and offers solid results. Emphasize achievements rather than job descriptions or responsibilities.
  5. Integrity and accuracy is key. Always be completely accurate and honest in the résumé’s dates, education, and professional or volunteering details.
  6. Use keyword-optimized titles. This technique will draw the reader’s attention, maximize visibility, and perform well in the ATS-supported recruitment process.
  7. Use powerful action verbs in your accomplishment statements. Diversify your use of action verbs and avoid overusing common verbs such as developed, managed, or led. Be creative!
  8. Integrate a compelling, but clean design. A hint of colour such as a deep blue, subtle grey, or crimson red can draw the eye to key information and visual images. Avoid going overboard– less is more!
  9. Proofread, proofread, and then proofread the résumé again. Ensure correct spelling/grammar and mechanics for an error-free résumé. The slightest error can lead to getting screened out by the prospective employer. Use a computer spellchecker, but remember to also manually proofread.
  10. Customize your client’s résumé for different roles. Always  remind your client to keep his or her résumé fully updated. Opportunities can arise at any time, so your client needs to have a customized and polished résumé that specifically targets the desired role.

Discover some of the most stunning Canadian résumés featured in CPC’s Best Canadian Resumes with a new edition arriving soon. Long live the résumé!

 

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Thanks so much for this excellent summary of your experience with CPC and resume tips. I came here looking for information on how to order Sharon’s resume book and was happy to find more than I was looking for.

You’re very welcome, Michael. I am glad that you have found these résumé tips helpful. You can find a lot of great resources on résumé or employment strategy and others through CPC.

>Use keyword-optimized titles

What does this mean, exactly? Could you give an example or two? I’m familiar with the idea of “keyword optimization” when it comes to websites, but not familiar with it when it comes to résumés.

Elizabeth, here is a link to help you understand more:
https://careerprocanada.ca/rethink-resume-keywords/

Here is a link to a course that will take your resume writing skills to the next level:
https://careerprocourse.ca/res-102-certificate-course/

Our Technology Optimized Certificate Course specifically for Career Professionals covers ATS and much more!

Last edited 2 years ago by Sharon Graham