Career Services

Appearance (Formatting and Style)

First impressions matter. A clean, organized resume can make all the difference. Here’s how to make yours shine:

• Keep It Concise and Consistent: Stick to a maximum of 2 pages. Use the same font style, size, and spacing throughout. Choose a readable font and keep the size to 12 pt for a polished look.
• Embrace White Space and Balance: Keep margins between 0.5-1 inch and use bullets instead of paragraphs for a clean layout. Balance bullet points across sections for a professional look.

Content That Gets You Noticed

Your resume should be as unique as you are.

• Target, Target, Target: Customize your resume for each job, focusing on how your skills align with each job advertisement.
• Highlight Your Accomplishments: Use specific numbers, percentages, and action verbs to showcase your achievements. Here are three examples of how:
  • Assisted 2 dentists with examinations, restorations, root canals, and extractions daily.
  • Delivered compassionate care to 30 patients daily during clinical rotations.
  • Increased repeat business and positive customer feedback by 20% during my tenure by delivering exceptional service

Beating the ATS

Did you know that 75% of resumes are filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Here’s how to make sure yours isn’t one of them:

• Keep It Simple: Avoid fancy templates and use relevant industry keywords.
• Upload your resume in Word or Plain text format for better ATS readability, aiming to match at least 80% of your resume to the job posting.

Your cover letter is your chance to make a memorable first impression. Here’s how to craft one that gets noticed:

• Keep It Short and Personal: Address your cover letter to a specific person (this often means doing research) and spell their name correctly. Keep it under one page and focus on how your skills match the job. Avoid repeating resume information. Be original and show genuine interest in the role.

Your references deserve to shine just as much as your resume. Here’s how to organize them:

• Professional is Best: Choose three strong professional references and get their permission before listing them. Ensure your reference sheet matches the style of your resume and cover letter (font, space, style, etc.) Together, these documents should have a cohesive, professional appearance.

Kickstart your job search with a mix of strategies:

• Diversify Your Search: Limit online job searching to 1-2 hours per day and engage in networking, volunteering, and career fairs.
• Stay Organized: Track your applications and follow up with the employers to show your interest. Avoid a passive job search by actively engaging with potential employers and seeking out new opportunities regularly.

Did you know that over 40% of Canadian managers value receiving a thank you after an interview?

• Follow up: Send a thank-you note within 24 hours to reinforce your interest and leave a positive, lasting impression. Don’t miss this crucial gesture.