Resume 101 - Resume Guide

Sep 13, 2026

Resume 101 provides practical guidance for writing effective job resumes that create a strong first impression with prospective employers. It explains the resume’s dual role as a marketing tool and a structured summary of qualifications, linking skills and experience to job requirements. The guide outlines common resume formats—skills-based (combination/hybrid), chronological, and functional—along with which types of job seekers each format best supports. It also covers top resume tips, including proofreading, formatting consistency, font and layout choices, and what to include or avoid.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Resume 101

Resume Formats

Skills Based (Combination or Hybrid)

Chronological

Functional

Top Resume Tips

What to Include on a Resume

What Not to Include on a Resume

Resume 101 Your resume is often your first introduction to prospective employers and it has to impress them enough to want to meet with you in person and invite you to an interview. A resume is both a marketing tool and a summary of your qualifications including your education , skills, and experience. You need to supply enough information to convince the employer that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. Your resume needs to make a connection between your skills and experience and the requirements of the job. The employer needs to be able to find the essential information in a short period of time. Often resumes are read or scanned in only 30-60 seconds. For you, the resume is a marketing tool and you are the product. It is your opportunity to promote yourself and your skills; it is important that your resume creates a strong first impression. A good resume will summarize your education, skills, work and achievements and provide discussion points during an interview. For the employer, the resume highlights your education, related work experience, and your skillset as they apply to the specific job. A well-planned resume will: • Provide an example of your ability to organize and present ideas clearly • Demonstrate your attention to detail by being free of grammar and spelling errors • Provide details of relevant experience and education credentials RESUME FORMATS There are different formats of resumes and the one you choose needs to best highlight your “fit” for the job. Some resume styles are more appropriate for specific occupations or fields of work. If you are unsure which format to use, try each and have people in the field you are targeting offer feedback and input to you. See which resume style they feel best connects what you have with what the job requires. ** The Employment Support Centre recommends a Skills-based resume for students and new graduates. Skills Based (also known as Combination or Hybrid): This format is recommended for students and new graduates; it combines the skills and experience section from a functional format with the details of a work experience section found in a chronological format. The combination format allows students and new graduates to highlight skills gained through their education as well as any practical experience from field placements, co-op, applied research and team projects. Chronological: This resume format focuses on work experience and education and places less emphasis on the skills section of the resume. Experience is featured on the first page of the resume , listed it in reverse chronological order (most recent first) . This format is best used by job seekers who have significant work experience and education related to the job the candidate is applying for. It lets the reader see career stability, career advancement and/or details about each job held. Functional: The format recommended to those with minimal experience, career-changers who are transitioning from one area of expertise to another and people with gaps in their work history is the functional format. This format focuses on skills and less on experience. Employers may find it difficult to see where the experience has been gained. TOP RESUME TIPS • Proofread your resume (on screen and a print version) ; do not rely solely on spellcheck. Some words can be spelled correctly, but are out of context. • Have a second person proofread your resume; a second set of eyes may see what you have missed. • Use an 11 or 12 point and web-friendly font: Arial or Times New Roman. • A two page resume is the standard once you are a post-secondary student, graduate or experienced worker. It becomes difficult to include your education, skills and experience on one page. • Avoid using resume templates; they make your resume look like too many others. • Use white space between sections and headings to ensure that your resume is clear and easy to read. • Keep the for

FAQs

How long does an employer typically spend reading a resume?

Resumes are often read or scanned in only 30–60 seconds, so key information must be easy to find quickly.

Which resume format is recommended for students and new graduates?

The Employment Support Centre recommends a skills-based resume, also known as combination or hybrid.

What should you avoid including on a resume?

Avoid personal information like age and marital status, irrelevant or outdated details, irrelevant certifications, and reference names/contact information—references should be listed separately.

Sep 13, 2026

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