Tips for Resume Writing
and the Interview Process

by Leanne Zmood

What’s a Résumé or CV (Curriculum Vitae)?

A résumé or CV is a summary of your experience, skills and education. It provides recruiters and hiring managers with the very first impression of you as a candidate. Here are some suggestions on what you can do to prepare a great résumé, get noticed and selected to participate in a job interview.

Résumé Structure

Beginning:

Include your name and contact details. (Contact details include your address, phone number and email. Make sure to use a professional email address which uses your full/given name and not a nick name).

Middle:

This is the most important part of your résumé which captures your experience.

  • Chronologically list your work experience and start with your most recent role.

  • Make sure to accurately capture the name of your employer, your job title and if appropriate your level (e.g. manager).

  • Briefly describe your key responsibilities and emphasize your achievements and skills. Provide quantitative information wherever possible e.g. the percentage of costs saved to clearly demonstrate your impact.

End:

This section should briefly highlight your education and hobbies/leisure. Include the highest level of education you have achieved. Write the name of the school you attended and your degree. Also include any professional licenses you might have.

Leisure/hobbies are optional, but helps highlight something personal about you. (This only needs to be listed).

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Make sure to proofread your résumé before you send, share or post it. There should be no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors .

Prepare for Interview:

  • Research the business and the specific function/role you are interviewing for ahead of your interview.

  • During your research try to gain an understanding of the business’s successes and challenges and how your experience might be complimentary.

  • Try to demonstrate your strength as a candidate and suitability for the role.

  • Review the job description in advance and plan how you will describe your experience, skills, knowledge and achievements.

  • Prepare some specific examples you can refer to during the interview and practice in advance. A helpful approach could be the STAR method - Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Interview Etiquette:

  • Arrival, attire, conduct and follow up are critical during the interview process. For phone or video interviews, call exactly on time.

  • For in-person interviews, arrive 10 minutes early. Always wear business professional attire regardless of whether the interview is in person, on video, or over the phone.

  • It’s a good idea to bring extra copies of your résumé to each interview, just in case. And during the interview itself be sure to listen carefully and answer the questions asked of you.

  • Reference real examples based on your experience. If you don’t understand something, ask the interviewer to please repeat the question. Engage as if you were having a conversation, maintain eye contact, be positive, energetic and aware of your body language and posture.

  • Make sure to ask questions relevant to the role, the work environment and perhaps even the interviewer’s own experience at the company. (Do not ask about pay or benefits during the interview process).

  • Following your interview send a thank you note/ email. Highlight what you enjoyed learning about the role during the interview and state why you think you would be a great fit.

  • For yourself, take some time to reflect on your interview, keep a record of the questions you were asked and see what you might need to research further to be even better prepared and more comfortable for the next interview.

Good Luck!