Resume
& Interview Tips
Resume
Sections
Heading
The heading should consist of your full name, current address
including country, phone number with area code and email address. Avoid
nicknames. If you are not home very often, use a cellular phone number
with voicemail. Have a neutral or business-like message. When including
an email address, only use one that looks professional.
There
is no need to label your resume with 'Resume' or any other title. This
is obvious to the employer and is a waste of valuable space.
Objective
An objective tells the potential employer what position you are
applying for. If space turns out to be a problem on your resume, this is
the first section you should cut. Since your cover letter will address
what type of position you are looking for, there is no reason to repeat
yourself.
Education
& Training
List your education, beginning with the most advanced or current
degree first and then continuing through to high school. Include your
degree or diploma, college or university attended, where and in what
country. If you did well in school, feel free to indicate your grade
point average.
This
is the section to include any special courses, workshops, certificates
or training you have taken if they relate to the type of work you are
seeking. Also include any relevant awards and recognition you have
received.
If
you are a new college or university graduate without a lot of work
experience you should list this section first, before employment
experience. On the contrary, if you lack in post-secondary education,
put your employment experience first.
Employment
Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of your work experience that
has taught you skills relevant to the position you are applying for.
Begin with your present or most recent job, and work backwards to your
first relevant job. If you are short on employment experience, you can
list any volunteer work that you feel is pertinent. Include the
following information: title of position, company name, location of work
(city/province/country) and the dates of employment. Describe your work
responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements. List
your office and computer skills as part of the duties of the
corresponding job. Do not list your previous salary or the reason for
termination of a job.
Languages
If you speak more than one language, list the languages here. If you
only speak English, do not include this section.
Personal
Information
You should list the following if you think they are an asset
or are important in your ability to do the job. If you feel that they
are negatives, leave them out.
Never
list your social insurance number or your passport number on your
resume.
References
Some resume experts feel that you should not list your references on
your resume. Instead they say to write that your references will be
furnished upon request.
In
actual fact, you save the personnel director time if you simply list
three or more good professional references. Be sure to have permission
from your references before giving out their names. Ask them to contact
you if they receive any calls regarding your resume. Be sure to include
their full name, title, phone number and email address.
Testimonials
A unique, highly effective way to get your message across to
prospective employers is to add a testimonial section to your resume.
Similar to recommendation letters, testimonials add credibility to your
presentation. Instead of including letters of recommendation in your
application, extract and list approximately five quotes that previous
employers have said about you. For example,
"John's
dynamic and outgoing personality enabled him to interact well with our
diverse customer base." Richard Finn, Shipley Hotel
"John's
ability to work independently, as well as part of a team made him an
exceptional asset to our company." Paul West, Windward
Trading
Photograph
Due to discrimination laws, it is illegal in many countries for
employers to ask for an applicant's photograph. However, it is not
unlawful to voluntarily submit a photograph. Cruise lines often look for
diversity in their crew members or they may want to have a photograph to
simply associate a face to a name.
The
bottom line is that if you live too far away to have a face-to-face
interview, then you should send a photograph with your application,
regardless of whether or not they request one. Most personnel directors
interview their applicants by phone and would like to see with whom they
are speaking.
The
photograph should be either a regular 4x6 print. Send a casual yet
conservative picture. Dress in something similar to what you would be
expected to wear as a cruise line employee. Perhaps wear a blue blazer
with white pants or a skirt. This helps the employer to envision you as
one of their crew members.
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