As the fall term approaches, it’s almost time to finish your co-op term or get ready for a co-op placement interview. To help you get ready, the Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) teamed up with Co-op Connection this week to give you a few resume writing tips. We’ve also included undergraduate writing programming that would not only be helpful for getting started on your resumes, but also for your cover letters and work term reports.
If you’re just beginning to write your resume, we recommend booking an appointment with the Centre for Career Action (CCA). There, you can speak with a Career Advisor who can help you with career planning and also teach you tips and tricks for writing resumes and cover letters. They also do mock interviews as well.
If you just need quick tips for writing your resumes, the following are our tips we rapidly compiled for you to write the best resume:
For a quick guide, check out the Resume Checklist resource!
1. Use reverse-chronological order
List your work experiences in reverse chronological format by putting your most recent experiences first. This will provide recruiters with a timeline of your work history starting with the most current position. Be sure to include accurate dates and job titles for all of your work experience.
If you need help quickly, try out our Virtual Drop-In Appointments! Drop-ins are perfect for when job applications are closing soon, and you need quick tips and tricks to perfect the writing in your resume or cover letter. Virtual Drop-Ins are also great for when work term reports are due soon, especially because they are open evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, including Sundays!
2. Use action verbs
Use persuasive verbs to maximize your impact. Action words help to make writing more concise, efficient and clear. Examples of action verbs are managed, accomplished, handled, led, etc.
For example, “Managed a team of 5 executives by conducting training, facilitating weekly meetings and provided resources to execute events.”
Got a few quick questions to ask? Head over to the WCC Subreddit or join our peer tutor Olivia on Instagram for our Live Q&A. The WCC Subreddit is checked daily by our team, while the Insta Live Q&As are held every Wednesday at 7:00 pm. On Wednesday, July 22nd, the Insta Live Q&A will be held specifically for co-op students.
3. Quantify your achievements
Use firm numbers to explain what you did and the results. For instance, including the number of people you supervised, the percentage of sales you increased, or the number of products you sold will help recruiters understand your achievements.
For example, “Increased customer traffic by 30% by planning and executing marketing strategies.”
4. Tailor your resume for each job you apply for
Tailoring your resume for each job requisition will show the recruiter that you’re a good match for the specific position. Always include information relevant to the position by incorporating keywords used in the job description. For instance, if the position requires knowledge of Adobe Pro, it’s best to include the number of years you have experience in Adobe Pro.
Have trouble finding the time and space to sit down and write your resume or work term reports? Join our peer tutor Chris at our YouTube Live PJ-Friendly Write-Ins on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm. You don’t have to write alone at home; write with us instead!
5. Include extracurricular activities or campus involvement
Extracurriculars and campus involvement showcase leadership capabilities and your ability to work with diverse groups of people. Highlighting your extracurriculars will provide the recruiter more insight into your interests outside of the classroom or workplace.
6. Proofread, proofread, and proofread!
A simple mistake can give the wrong impression. Proofreading your resume will allow you to catch any grammatical or spelling errors.
Do you need someone to give your resume, cover letter, or work term report a second look? Book an Appointment with the Writing and Communication Centre on our scheduling system, WCOnline! Our Writing and Communication Specialists are happy to help you edit your application materials to show off your amazing skills.
Remember that you don’t need to go through the process of writing your resume, cover letters, or work term reports alone. Co-op Connection, the Writing and Communication Centre, and the Centre for Career Action are all here to help you every step of the process. You’ll get that co-op placement in no time.
