Our first lesson on the track towards getting a job is writing a respectable and professional resume. In the resume you want it to be short and sweet, and you want all of the information labeled and easy to see. Remember that many other people will be applying for this job, so the resume is one of the 3 ways to make the employer remember you in a good way. In general you want three sections on your resume: Work Experience, Education, Education and then, if the job calls for it, Skills.
Work Experience
Work experience is just as it is written, and this is what many employers will want to see first. This will include any previous jobs that you have had, internships, apprenticeships and co-op work experience. Even if the job was a short term job to hold you during the summer it can still count and will show that you have more experience than the next person. If you've had a job during the school year this will show that you have responsibilities, ambition, dependability and time management skills.
When you respond to a job offer, you've also been given the hardest part of your resume to make: the job description. Many low level jobs, like at McDonalds and Wendys, will say general skill such as" time management skills", "great organizational skills", and "top notch communication skills". Build your resume around your strengths in these general area's, and present yourself in a way that will make your resume memorable. Many other jobs that you might have had before required these skills, even if they didn't have them listed in the job description. So pad the older jobs by setting them for the wanted requirements, even if you don't think you did any of them.
Education and Skills
This section should be short and sweet, leaving the employer with what you really have for an education. Don't lie on this section because it will come back to haunt you later on. Only put your high school and the projected year of graduation if you haven't graduated from high school, never put your primary school because the employer will make the assumption that your still a child and not a young adult.
In your skills, list some certifications that you have, such as a First Aid certificate or a CPR certificate. If there are other skills listed in the description that the employer will be looking for, list them here. For example, if the employer needs someone that has advanced computer skills say that you have training with computers and you know how to use them properly. Don't lie on this part of your resume either because most certified skills come with a certificate and most employers will want to see the certificate if you are hired.
References
Generally in this section of your resume list it as "Available upon request." A list of references would be a handy item to have at the interview in case the interviewer wants a reference.
Resume Example:
