Writing Your Résumé

Your résumé (sometimes referred to as a "CV" or "curriculum vitae") is an essential tool for employers. It describes your work experience, education, training and skills. Your résumé should be written with a specific type of job or field of activity in mind.

The following are two (2) downloadable samples of résumés:

• A sample of a chronological résumé (DOCX 21 Kb)
• A sample of a functional or skills-based résumé (DOCX 20 Kb)

These samples contain all the sections normally found in a résumé. They are designed to help you prepare a clear and professional looking résumé.

To use one of the samples, save a copy of the one that interests you on your computer. You can then replace the information contained in the various sections with your information.

Here are a few general tips on writing an effective résumé.

• List all items in chronological order, starting with the most recent
• Make sure all information is true
• Keep it short (1 to 2 pages). Employers receive many résumés and may ignore those that are too long
• Choose your words carefully. Use simple vocabulary and avoid negative turns of phrase
• Have your résumé checked by someone who writes well
• In each section, enter only information that is relevant to that section (professional goals, education, work experience, recreational interests, etc.)
• Make sure you don't contradict yourself
• Resist the temptation to be funny.

There are three main types of résumés. Choose whichever one is the best fit for the job you're seeking and the strengths you want to focus on.

The chronological résumé

As its name indicates, the chronological résumé tracks your work experiences over time, from the most recent to the oldest.  

The chronological résumé is recommended if you are seeking a job in the same field or if you have made steady progress in your career.

Here are a few cases where you should avoid using a chronological résumé:

• You have changed jobs frequently or had long periods of unemployment that you might have difficulty explaining
• You do not want to place too much importance on the last job you held
• Your new career goal is not directly related to your former job experience.

The functional or skills-based résumé

The functional or skills-based résumé highlights what you have to offer. It emphasizes your achievements or the skills you’ve acquired from past experiences.

Here are a few examples of skills:

• Proficiency in using a hydraulic press
• Ability to write reports
• Mechanical abilities or aptitudes
• Excellent customer service
• Know how to match colours.

Describe your skills, starting with those most relevant to the job you're applying for.

Here are some cases where it may be worthwhile to choose a functional or skills-based résumé:

• You have little or no work experience
• You have held several jobs that have no connection with each other or with the position you are interested in
• You wish to emphasize talents that you have never had the opportunity to demonstrate in a work environment
• You have acquired skills in a previous job that you would like to showcase in a different context (for example, teamwork, communication and critical reasoning).

Do not opt for this type of résumé if you want to showcase how far you have come in your career.

The combination résumé

The combination résumé is the most common. It lays out both your skills and work experiences, in chronological order (from most recent to oldest).

Use the combination résumé in the following cases:

• you have changed jobs frequently
• you have a lot of experience in a specific field but have worked for many employers.

Your résumé should provide:

Personal information

You should provide:

• Your name
• Your full address
• Your telephone numbers (home and cell)
• Your email address
• Your website address, if you have a personal site

Your career objective

Write a short summary of your career objective(s), or simply describe what type of work you are seeking. Generally, one or two sentences will be sufficient to tell the employer what you're looking for. Try to establish a link between your objective(s) and the job you're applying for.

Education and training

Summarize the general or specialized education and training you have had, specifying:

• The names of the schools or other educational institutions you have attended, along with the cities where they are located
• The level of education you have completed and the dates when you obtained your diplomas (degrees, attestations, certificates, etc.)
• Any professional development courses or other training programs that you have taken and that are related to the work you want to do—for instance, computer, language or small-engine maintenance courses
• Any scholarships, bursaries, awards or distinctions you may have received.

Job related skills

List the skills that make you the right person for the job.

The more relevant your skills are to the job you want, the more attention you'll attract from recruiters. Describe the skills that you have acquired in the course of :

• paid work
• volunteer experiences
• internships
• hobbies.

To find out what skills are associated with a specific job, see the Exploring trades and occupations page. 

Your work experience

List the jobs you have held, indicating the following information for each one:

• Your job title
• The name of the company and your place of work
• Your start and end dates
• The duties and responsibilities you had.

Don't hesitate to mention any relevant internships or volunteer experiences.

Duties

Your experience must be directly related to the job for which you are applying. Mention only the most important duties or the ones you like best.

Ideally, do not list more than five duties for each job. You will always be able to provide further details at the interview.

Use action verbs like administer, analyze, compile, oversee and inform.

Additional information

Look closely at the job offer and see if there are any relevant details you could add to your résumé to give your application a boost.

• Foreign languages: List the languages that you know (spoken and written).
• Computer skills: List the software and technologies that you know how to use and, if possible, describe your proficiency level (beginner, intermediate or advanced).
• Qualification cards, professional associations: If it is relevant to your trade or occupation, indicate any professional qualifications you have (e.g., for a specific type of machinery) and whether you are a member of any professional orders or associations, etc.
• Awards and achievements: Highlight any awards that you have received for your work (employee of the year, awards of excellence, customer service awards, etc.). If relevant, put together a portfolio to provide samples of your work. 

Your interests and activities

Your interests and recreational activities say something about who you are and can play in your favour. For example, you might include the fact that you like cooking, reading, going to the movies or fishing.

References

Your references are the people that a potential employer can contact for information about you. Examples include:

• A former employer
• Someone from your school (a teacher or guidance counsellor)
• Someone for whom you have volunteered.

Don't include references in your résumé, but have the list with you when you attend the interview.

Before giving out somebody's name as a reference, make sure you have their approval.

If you need help or advice in writing your résumé, contact an employability services organizations (French only) in your region or contact your local Services Québec office.