Resume and Cover Letter
Write your resume
A well-written resume will help to sell your skills and abilities, giving you the best chance of getting the job you want. It should be clear and well organized. Consider the following tips when putting together your resume.
Personal information — your name, address, phone number and email address.
Include only one phone number and email address to make it simple for an employer to reach you. Don’t include overly personal information, such as your birthdate or marital status.
Work and volunteer experience — previous job titles, tasks and key accomplishments.
Be specific when describing your previous roles and responsibilities. Use the action words guide to identify verbs that best reflect your experience.
Related skills — job-specific skills, certifications, computer skills and trades credentials.
Include skills that might be useful to the position, such as first aid certification or languages you speak. Look at the job posting and use the same keywords or skills listed to describe your own. Streamline your resume by removing skills or certificates that are not relevant to the job you are applying for.
Relevant education — post-secondary credit, and non-credit programs and courses.
Lead with the information that is most relevant to the job you’re applying for—even if that means putting your work experience or a specific training certificate at the top. Not all resumes need to be in chronological order, so a strength-based resume may do a better job of highlighting your important skills.
Awards and achievements — work-related, academic and community awards.
Include those relevant to the job you’re seeking.
Memberships — professional, business-related, school or community groups.
This is a great way to show a potential employer that you are an involved member of your community—which shows that you will make an engaging co-worker and contribute to a positive work culture. Likewise, if you lack work experience, your involvement in local groups or professional organizations can help supplement your resume.
References — former supervisors or colleagues who will confirm your skills and speak positively about the quality of your work.
Unless the employer requests your references upfront, you do not need to include them in your resume. When you do provide them, remember to contact your references for their permission beforehand.
Additional tips and resources
- Although the resume length for a job can vary depending on the field, resumes usually are between one and two pages.
- Maximize space by only including the information relevant to the job posting. Take the time to customize your resume to fit the job; you are more likely to get an interview.
- Use a resume template to get started. Most document editing software have ready-to-use templates. If you are applying for a traditional company job, consider using a simple template; if you are applying for a creative position, consider using a non-traditional template (or even a website or online portfolio) to showcase your work.
- The Government of Canada provides a resume building tool to help guide you through the process.
- Check the job posting to ensure you are including all the requested information. Some employers use an online application tool to screen potential employees instead of using a traditional resume.
- It’s okay to reach out to a potential employer before applying! If you still have questions about the position after reading the job posting, it’s better to connect with the employer before you apply—you save yourself and the potential employer valuable time.
Create your cover letter
A cover letter is an opportunity to expand on your resume and explain why you are the right fit for the job. However, not all jobs require a cover letter to apply — so always check the job posting before you send one to ensure the employer requested it. When in doubt, include one! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started.
Address your letter to the hiring manager or program leader
Instead of just saying, “To whom it may concern,” look at the job posting or the company’s website to find the hiring manager’s name to include in your letter.
Use an outline
Treat your cover letter like a short essay. Here’s a basic outline for a simple three-paragraph letter:
- Introduce yourself and why you are interested in the position.
- Include a brief paragraph explaining how you meet the specific experience and/or education requirements.
- Finish with a conclusion describing how your unique combination of education, experience and skills make you the best person for the position.
Watch the length
You want your letter to be direct and concise. Aim to have your cover letter no more than one page.
Share concrete examples
Avoid repeating your resume, rather use it to highlight a few key experiences that relate to the job you are applying for. Show your future employer why you are the right fit.
Include keywords
Highlight how you meet the competencies detailed in the posting, using keywords or skills listed in the job posting. Read Skills for the Future Workforce to learn more about the type of skills employers are looking for.
Use active voice and avoid wordiness
Use active language and avoid wordiness—it will improve your writing and save space for the important details. Example of active versus passive language:
- Active voice: “I led a team of 20 employees at X company.”
- Passive voice: “I had once managed 20 employees as the leader of a team for X company.”
Additional resources
- The University of British Columbia provides advice and examples of resumes and cover letters for students entering the workforce for the first time.
- Want to learn more about what makes a winning resume? Take a look at the LinkedIn Cover Letter Feed.
A strong cover letter is key to a successful job search. Watch the video: Building a Resume and Cover Letter.