6.4: Preparing a Resumé
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A resumé (pronounced reh/zoo/may) is a summary of your skills, training, and experience. Its primary purpose is to interest the employer in you as a potential employee. A well-written, carefully planned resumé will help get you an interview that may lead to a job offer. It may be included with a letter of application, attached to an application form, or handed to a prospective employer when you are interviewed. Copies of your resumé may also be given to instructors, friends, or family members who have agreed to help you in your search.
Resumés and cover letters are essential tools for finding jobs. You can use these tools to sell a potential employer on your skills and abilities. In the past, resumés were used only in professional and management level jobs. However, today most employers require a resumé. Even when one is not required, a well-prepared resumé can help you get a job.
Parts of a Resumé
There are a variety of formats you can use to present your resumé. However, no matter which format you choose, all resumés usually contain the following (Figure 20):
Name, address, email, and phone number
Your name, address, email, and phone number should be given on your resumé so that you can be easily contacted for an interview or possible employment. Make sure you leave a number where messages may be left for you. Do not leave your current work number, as your present employer may not appreciate personal calls during work time.
Employment objective
The employment objective identifies the type of position you are seeking. If you are looking for a range of different jobs, leave the objective out or tailor each resumé to the situation. You could also include your employment objective in the cover letter.
Avoid using specific job titles. Be concise and specific. Concentrate on the job you are seeking right now, not 10 years from now. For example, you might say “a challenging position as a First Cook or Chef de Partie.” Do not include vague, self-gratifying statements such as “so I might become a better person.”
Education
Show educational qualifications, starting with the most recent and most relevant. There is no need to give the name of your secondary school if you have completed college or university. Identify any relevant training courses you have taken in high school or outside of a formal training institution if they are relevant to the work you are seeking. Take your cues from the job advertisement or the information you received from your contacts. For example, you might include first aid training if the job is in a remote camp.
Areas of knowledge and experience
Identify your skills and experience in past jobs and volunteer experiences. Keep the statements brief and to the point. Focus on the needs of the employer. Include your accomplishments from community activities and hobbies only if they are relevant to the job. If you are applying to a catering company, the statement “planned and catered a banquet for the regional soccer championship (100 guests)” would be relevant. An employer is not likely interested in whether you are a fly-tying expert. Be honest and be sure that you can back up every statement. Do not claim skills in any area in which you do not have practical experience, and don’t overstate your experience. Don’t claim to have managed the kitchen or created the menu if you have only assisted in these tasks.
Use verbs (action words) to describe your accomplishments. The following provides a list of verbs associated with different types of skills:
Creative and technical
- adjusted
- altered
- arranged
- changed
- created
- demonstrated
- designed
- developed
- devised
- formulated
- generated
- improvised
- invented
- modified
- originated
- performed
- prepared
- produced
- predicted
- restructured
- simplified
Working with people
- aided
- assisted
- advised
- advocated
- conferred
- consulted
- collaborated
- counselled
- encouraged
- facilitated
- guided
- helped
- interpreted
- interviewed
- implemented
- informed
- mentored
- recommended
- referred
- reassured
- served
- shared
- suggested
- supported
- trained
Communication
- advised
- commented
- communicated
- interpreted
- outlined
- promoted
- presented
- spoke
- summarized
- translated
- wrote
Business or administrative
- administered
- advised
- analyzed
- authorized
- budgeted
- deliberated
- designated
- developed
- distributed
- drafted
- hired
- investigated
- implemented
- recorded
- managed
- marketed
- monitored
- organized
- planned
- proposed
- purchased
- recommended
- reported
- scheduled
- selected
Analytical
- analyzed
- assessed
- appraised
- combined
- compared
- concluded
- contrasted
- deduced
- determined
- inferred
- interpreted
- evaluated
- monitored
- reviewed
Leadership
- assigned
- coordinated
- delegated
- evaluated
- led
- motivated
- negotiated
- persuaded
- supervised
- supported
Achieving results
- adapted
- attained
- completed
- contributed
- decreased
- increased
- doubled/tripled
- eliminated
- established
- expanded
- implemented
- improved
- introduced
- maintained
- multiplied
- opened
- proposed
- provided
- realized
- recommended
- reduced
- revised
- revitalized
- risked
- saved
- simplified
- sold
- solved
- stimulated
- streamlined
- structured
- submitted
- succeeded
- unified
- upgraded
Professional activities
You should list any related activities, such as membership in professional or trade associations or volunteering that relates to your application. Be sure to list any responsibilities that you held in these positions as often these activities are great ways to demonstrate experience you have not gained in your work experience.
References
References may be listed in your resumé or they can be listed on a separate sheet. You should have at least three references lined up when you apply for jobs. Be sure to get each person’s permission to use her or him as a reference. Supply the reference with a copy of your resumé and a copy of the job ad or posting so that he or she can speak knowledgeably about you when contacted. Have the person’s full name, title, position, company name, address, and phone number for each reference.
The most important factor to keep in mind when choosing references is that the person has a favourable opinion of you. The person should also have a title that shows responsibility, especially responsibility relevant to the position you are seeking. If your reference is someone the potential employer likes and respects, so much the better.
Do not use a relative, especially one with the same last name. Do not use anyone who shares your address as a reference. Make sure that the people you select can communicate well orally and in writing. Always make sure that your references are people with whom you have had recent contact with. A good borderline is within the last two to three years. Try and keep in touch with your references by an email or phone conversation so that if they are called to give an opinion on you, firstly, they remember you, and secondly, they have recent knowledge of what you might be doing currently.
Chronological and Functional Resumé Formats
Chronological resumés list your experience and education from the most recent to the least recent. Under each position or employer, you should list the skills and experience gained at that employer. This style of resumé highlights a steady employment record. It emphasizes growth and development in employment history. However, it can expose drawbacks such as gaps in employment, frequent job changes, lack of related experience, or lack of career progression. This type of resumé is suitable if your most recent employment is directly relevant to the job for which you are applying. Below are examples of chronological resumés.
Suzanne Chung
345 Any Street
Anytown, B.C.
V0X 1R0
(250) 555-1234
schung@anyemail.com
Job Objective
To obtain a position as a sous-chef in a full-service restaurant
Experience
2009 to present
First Cook
Pleasant Stay Hotel
345 Seaview St.
Anytown, B.C.
V0X 2T7
- Prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in a busy hotel coffee shop
- Prepared banquets for up to 300 people
- Supervised meal preparation in pub kitchen
- Operated cold kitchen and pastry station for main hotel dining room
- Assumed duties of sous-chef during vacations
2006–2009
Apprentice Cook
Mountainview Resort
Box 197
Resorttown, B.C.
V0S 2T0
- Prepared menu items under supervision of First Cook
- Prepared banquet menu items
- Sliced and served meats at banquets and buffets
- Prepared pastries, cakes, and desserts
2004–2006
Kitchen helper and dishwasher (part-time)
Valley Resort
Box 181
Resorttown, B.C.
V0S 2T0
- Assisted with preparation of salads, soups, and other menu items
- Scrubbed pots and assisted dishwasher
- Cleaned kitchen equipment and work stations
Education
2014
Selkirk College
HSP 321: Food and Beverage Cost Control
2006–2009
Camosun College
Attained Cook Certificate of Qualification with an Interprovincial endorsement
Professional Activities
Active Member of the Anytown chapter of the Canadian Culinary Federation, currently responsible for planning student culinary competitions
Member, BC Restaurant and Food Service Association
References
Available on request
***
David Peterson
1655 Frederick Street
Anytown, B.C.
V0X 1R0
(604) 587-3301
dpeterson@anyemail.com
Job Objective
To obtain a position as a First Cook
Experience
2012–2014
Apprentice Cook
Freddy’s Restaurants
Kelowna, B.C.
- Prepared menu items under supervision of First Cook
- Prepared banquet menu items
- Sliced and served meats at banquets and buffets
- Prepared pastries, cakes and desserts
2010–2012
Kitchen helper
Valley Resort
Box 181
Resorttown, B.C.
V0S 2T0
- Assisted with preparation of salads, soups and other menu items
- Scrubbed pots and assisted dishwasher
- Cleaned kitchen equipment and work stations
2009–2010
Crew chief
McDonald’s Restaurants
Resorttown, B.C.
V0S 2T0
- Supervised crew
- Assessed inventory
- Prepared food and served customers
- Calculate wastage and promotional product sales
Education
2012–2015
Okanagan College, Kelowna, B.C.
Completing Professional Cook 3 Technical Training in May 2015
Will qualify for Professional Cook 3 Certificate of Qualification with an Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement
Professional Activities
Volunteer Camp Cook, Anytown Summer Camp for disadvantaged children, 2013
Junior Member of the Anytown chapter of the Canadian Culinary Federation, currently assisting with preparations for the Food Show
References
Available on request
***
A functional resumé shown below is a good way to display your most relevant skills and accomplishments. Under the heading “Experience” or “Skills and Accomplishments,” you list your capabilities under broad headings such as supervision, food and beverage cost control, menu planning, an so on. Under each heading, list all of the skills you have related to that topic without regard to where you acquired that skill. Your previous positions and employers are briefly listed under the heading “Work History.”
This resumé format minimizes drawbacks such as gaps in employment and lack of directly related experience. It is most useful when you have acquired a broad range of skills relevant to the job through many different employers. It can also be useful if your job titles did not adequately reflect the duties performed. It is harder to prepare a functional resumé. Functional resumés can be confusing to read if not well written.
ANGELO GUCCI
345 Princeton Street
(604) 587-8762
Anytown, B.C.
V0X 1R0
(agucci@anyemail.com)
OBJECTIVE
To gain a position as an Executive Chef in a full-service hotel
EXPERIENCE
Menu planning
- Prepared banquet menus for a variety of functions
- Participated in creation of new menus for coffee shop, dining room, pub, and room service
- Developed standard recipes and procedures for new menu items
- Conducted yield tests
- Revised menus based on popularity and profitability of menu items
Food and beverage cost control
- Maintained inventory control procedures
- Purchased and received goods
- Developed purchase specifications for goods
- Used recipe management software to cost menu items
- Analyzed sales history information to project sales volumes and expense levels
- Used a computerized inventory management system to maintain stock levels and reduce waste.
Supervision of staff
- Selected and oriented new staff
- Trained apprentice cooks
- Prepared work schedules for kitchen and dining room staff
- Evaluated staff performance and provided constructive criticism
Food preparation
- Prepared high-quality menu items in Broiler/Grill, Cold Kitchen, Fry, Soup, and Pastry stations of a large hotel kitchen
- Gold Medal prize winner at Okanagan Chefs Association culinary competition in 2013 and 2014
WORK HISTORY
2005 to present
Sous-Chef
Crest Hotel
Anytown, B.C.
V0X 1R0
2002–2005
Sous-Chef
Tigh-na-mara Fishing Lodge and Resort
Canim Lake, B.C.
V0X 1R0
1999–2002
First Cook
Freddy’s Restaurants
Kelowna, B.C.
V0X 1R0
1996–1999
Apprentice Cook
Spruce Meadows Country Club
Mission, B.C.
V0X 1R0
EDUCATION
2014
Chef de Cuisine certificate
2011–2012
Tourism Supervisory Development Program: Food & Beverage Option
Okanagan College
1999
Cook Certificate of Qualification with an Interprovincial endorsement
Vancouver Community College
1995–1996
Professional Cook Certificate
Northern Lights College
Completed all three levels of the program with an A average
2014
In-house training on Squirrel Food and Beverage and Inventory Management packages
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Active Member of the Anytown chapter of the Canadian Culinary Federation, currently Membership Chairperson
Member, BC Restaurant and Food Service Association
REFERENCES
Available on request
***
Tips on Preparing a Resumé
There are several websites that offer free templates for building different styles of resumés. It is important that the presentation is professional and well laid out.
When preparing your resumé, keep the following points in mind:
- Use good quality 8.5″ x 11″ stationery in white or cream for print copies
- Use perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation; check and recheck your resumé
- Use ample margins and white space to enhance the appearance and readability of your resumé
- Limit your resumé to two pages
- Label the second page with your name and page number as well in case the two pages get separated
- Staple your resumé pages together
- Print the resumé using a good quality printer
- Be clear and concise
- Be accurate; the employer may check on what you have written
- Be consistent in your format and style
- Be positive in tone; focus on results and accomplishments
- Tailor the resumé to the employer’s requirements
- Be complete; make sure that you include company names; do not abbreviate
- Use headings and paragraphing to organize the content
- Avoid company jargon when presenting accomplishments; they may not be readily understood
Media Attributions
- Resume by go2HR. Used with permission