Craft the perfect resume

How to tailor your resume for job applications

Author

Michael Ly
24 Oct

Read Time: 2 min

Hi networkers,

(Played around on Canva, thoughts on the new logo? ☝️)

It’s the scariest season of the year - midterm season…oh and Halloween’s happening too I guess. 👻

I know all too well the pain of juggling my tests with my job applications. But while I can’t help much with your studies, I can make your job search a bit easier.

Today, we’ll dive into my approach when it comes to making your resume, and how to tailor it to fit the job description.

🏁 Here’s the route for this week’s run:

🎙️ Topic: Tailoring Your Resume

💡 Sharing My Own Resume

📍 Checkpoints: Networking Events To Stop By

TOPIC
Tailoring Your Resume

It’s no surprise that the current job market is a little rough. With competition as high as it’s ever been, you’ll need to stand out in your resume.

The good news is it’s easy. Your resume is already unique as it pertains to your own experience, but that alone isn’t enough to stand out.

How you separate yourself from your competition depends on how relevant your resume is to the actual job description.

Recruiters don’t just look at experience, they look at how your experience relates to the role itself.

Most students fail to realize this and use the same resume for different postings thinking that the more they send, the better their chances.

Remember, it is quality over quantity.

However, this doesn’t mean you have to create a new one each time. Instead, you’re creating different versions of one resume.

Here’s the strategy I use when I apply for internships/jobs.

Step 1: Formatting

  • M&A Format (Google for examples)

  • 11 size font, New Times Roman

  • Order of Content:

    • Education > Work Experience > Leadership Experience > Skills/ Activities/Interest

  • List 2-4 bullet points for work & leadership experiences

  • Keep each bullet point 2 lines max

Step 2: Tailoring

  • Scan the “responsibility” and “qualifications” section of the job page

  • In a Word doc, list all the keywords and phrases used

  • Incorporate 80% of those keywords and phrases into your bullet points

  • Write bullet points using the S-A-O method

    • Solution - Action - Outcome

Step 3: Repurposing

  • Duplicate the resume for a different job posting

  • Repeating Step 2, note down the keywords and phrases

  • Reword your bullet points with your new list of words

  • Submit, rinse, & repeat!

Actionable Step

If you’re looking to upgrade your resume, follow the strategy above and focus on quality. This week, apply to a minimum of 3 jobs using tailored resumes!

Best of luck on the search 😄 

-Michael

TIP/TOOL OF THE WEEK
Sharing My Resume

Enjoyed the advice above but want a clear example? I’ve included a way for readers to gain access to my resume template!

The template includes:

  1. My personal resume that’s landed me offers

  2. A blank version for you to fill out

  3. A page with key tips and tricks

If you’d like to view it, refer this newsletter to just 1 person you think would benefit from reading!

If they agree to join, fill out this form with their email and you’ll receive the template within 24 hours.

For more info, check the bottom of this article. 🙂 

Networking Events To Stop By
📍Checkpoints📍 

Questrade Client Services Career Fair

  • Time: Oct 25, 5:00 - 7:00 pm EST, 5700 Yonge Street, Toronto

  • Detail: We invite skilled alumni and students graduating this year to sign up for the Questrade Financial Group Client Services Career Fair. This is an opportunity to discover more about the amazing culture, ample learning opportunities, and the potential for career advancement.

  • Register here

Discover BMO: Corporate Areas

  • Time: Oct 25, 6:00 - 7:30 pm EST (Virtual)

  • Detail: Join us and our panel of experts to discover the next step in your career journey! In our Discover BMO Virtual Sessions, you have the opportunity to learn more about working at BMO, hear from our panel of experts, and ask all of your burning questions!

  • Register here 

RSM: Canada-wide open house

  • Time: Nov 2, 6:00 - 9:00 pm EST (Virtual)

  • Detail: Learn about potential careers, gain insights on what life is like at RSM, and discover how we empower our people to make a deeper impact.

  • Register here 

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