Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
OLC Student Community Coordinator

A couple of people gathering around a resume
The key is all in utilizing your transferable skills. Believe it or not, all those hours serving up burgers and arguing about team projects really do provide resume fodder.

Resumes are a tricky business, your cover letter can grab a readers attention, but without a quality resume to back it up it won't do you much good. You want your resume to stand out, but then again, there's always the chance that if you go too crazy on the design, employers might be distracted. It's very likely that your resume will only get 20 second glance, so make those seconds count.

"Resume: a written exaggeration of only the good things a person has done in the past, as well as a wish list of the qualities a person would like to have."

Bo Bennett

Even if you manage to find a design that's both professional, but still "You" it needs to be filled with content. Suddenly being able to take notes with your eyes closed after another all-nighter doesn't seem like the most relevant skill after all. You panic as you search a thesaurus in hopes of not having to use the words "excellent" or "team player" for the 50th time. Some employers even use scanning software to pin point keywords, so having the right vocabulary is a must!

We understand the dilemma, we've all been there, and now we're here to help you. The key is all in utilizing your transferable skills. Believe it or not, all those hours serving up burgers and arguing about team projects really do provide resume fodder. Worked the till at McDonalds? You "serviced customers in a friendly and efficient manner, while maintaining the standards set forth by the company, ensuring a pleasant dining experience." How about taking control of that group project the night before it was due?  "using effective communication strategies you led a diverse team, under strict time restrictions to the successful completion of project objectives."

That sounded pretty darn impressive. The OLC is full of resources that will shape your old high school resume into something you'll be proud to say represents you, so go have a look around.

Remember though, there's a difference between talking yourself up and straight up lying. The world, is smaller than you think, especially with the internet. It's easier than ever for employers to catch you in an embellishment. Don't do it. If you take our advice, you won't even feel the need to try.

What do find most challenging when updating your resume?

Tags:
OLC Student Community Coordinator
visibility  39
Sep 16, 2011

You Might Like These... Career Exploration, Resumes, Professional Development, Student Success

Rome
What Can You Do with a Degree in History

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘historian’? Do you instinctively imagine an elderly man? This outdated imagery was sent out the window during a panel of (young) history professionals as they shared what you could do with a degree in History.

Man looking at a resume
Unique Resumes – How Far Is Too Far?

Students are consistently hesitanant to make their resume “stand out” visually.  It’s seen as a risk – that if one too many steps away from ‘normal’ is taken, the seriousness of the document will be somehow irrevocably compromised.

Person holding a resume
Goodbye Hard-copy and Hello to Electronic Résumés

There are sufficient amount of tips regarding resume writing, but then came along electronic résumés.  Now we have to worry about both methods? Don't panic; here are some shortcuts to e-improve your resume.

You Might Like These... Career Exploration

LinkedIn profile loading screen on a smart phone
How to Build a LinkedIn Profile in 2 Hours

Why should you bother spending 2 hours to make a LinkedIn profile? In this blog, Joanne talks about about her experience using LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning to build her online presence. Li

a group of SFU students looking at a notebook
8 Tips for a New and Improved Resume

Resumes are tough, they’re one of the first things an employer sees from you, and they need to represent your skills and abilities. That’s why we’ve put together eight tips to help you create a resume that presents the best of you and helps you land that coveted job.

Comic of preparing for Co-op
Comic Guide: 5 Tips to Prepare for Co-op

Embarking on your first Co-op placement? Thinking of applying to the Co-op program? In this comic guide, Linnea offers five tips that will give you a fresh outlook on how to update your resume, build up the confidence to go on interviews, and set yourself up for success. You’ve got this!