Business English: Writing Your Resume

Today's post is all about writing a resume that gets employers' attention and interest.

Format: One to Two Page Resume

There is no one format for writing a resume. If you look on job search websites like Monster.ca, you'll see many examples of rusumes for different kinds of jobs, people, and situations. All of these are fine. 

However...

In my experience, a resume that's one or two pages (maximum) are the most effective. 

If you think it's not possible to put all your experience, skills, achievements on one page, look at this one-page resume for Tesla, Solar City, and Space X founder, Elon Musk.

 (Click here for a larger image)

Resume  Grammar & Vocabulary

It's always best to keep sentences as short as possible. Also, avoid using the word "I" too much: the focus is on your skills, experience, special characteristics, and achievements. Please read the resume below.

Jason L. Broomes

Qualifications Summary

• 16 + years as an ESL instructor and business coach (presentations, customer service, etc) delivering lessons and seminars on communicative and business English in conversation schools, the workplace, and in private one-to-one sessions.

• Demonstrated excellence in client/student motivation and confidence building, customer service and retention, selling/providing ancillary services and products, student assessment, client account management, ESL and business English course design and material creation (customized texts, handouts, etc), on-the-job training, proofreading, cash-handling, and minor bookkeeping

• Creative lateral thinker and trouble shooter that works to improve skills, boost business performance and office morale, and enhance client experience and satisfaction.

Work Experience

Private ESL Contractor

ESL Instructor Vancouver Metropolitan Area

July 2015 – present

• Currently working with Saint George International College, APASS,  and Vector International Academy (Vancouver,BC) as an ESL/business English instructor. Responsible for delivering ESL lessons, test design, grading, and student evaluation. The business class have seminars on negotiation, chairing/mediating meetings, job hunting, CV writing, customer service, and job interviews.

• Doing one-to-one lessons with private clients acquired through referral services such as Tutor Doctor. The work, so far, has involved vocational test preparation lessons for the Vancouver Police Department entrance exam, university application essays, and the British Columbia security professional test.

Shane Corporation Yokohama, Japan

ESL Instructor July 2011 - June 2015

• Responsible for delivering communicative ESL lessons for adults, children, and teens according to company guidelines, meeting performance targets, communicating client needs, recording/evaluating student progress.

• Performed sales functions such as demo lessons, pitching special courses and seminars. Maintained positive student/teacher relationships and favourable image of the company.

• Created realia and alternate such as board games, handouts.

Japan Copper Development Association (JCDA) Tokyo, Japan

In-House ESL instructor August 2013 – May 2015

• Contract position helping JCDA members maintain and improve existing English communication skills in one-to-one lessons. Communicated with JCDA Secretary General on student progress and needs.

• Responsible for designing curriculum for specific student needs and goals (choosing of textbooks and activities), along with proofreading letters, memos, and internal documents.

Simul Academy CTD Tokyo, Japan

Private Contractor / ESL Instructor February 2007 – May 2015

• Provided communicative business English seminars and lessons to corporate clients (Mizuho Bank Corporation, Ministry of Finance Japan, NTT Communications, Nestlé Japan, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group etc).
• 
  Responsible for student evaluations, reporting course progress, providing feedback to customer service and sales staff, recommending course materials, test preparation lesson planning, academic support, and positive client/instructor relationships.

Private ESL Instructor Yokohama & Tokyo

June 2003 – June 2015

• Taught professionals from the fields of sales, engineering, scientific research, marketing, and telecommunications. Worked with companies such as Mitsuba, DNP and Macnica Networks, providing lessons in-house or privately in coffee shops, community centres, or employees' homes.

Nova Yokohama & Tokyo, Japan

ESL Instructor April 2000 – January 2005

• Delivered communication based ESL lessons to Nova clients (aged 4 and up), updated student records on progress and performance, performed student level assessments, created educational realia and displays, conducted seminars on business English, and taught test preparation courses.

• Worked as coordinator for English practicum seminars (Voice) which involved scheduling instructors and communicating with them on themes and student performance.

Education

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Concordia University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Montreal, 1994

• Majored in Political Science with electives in economics, marketing, management, advertising & sales promotion management, Canadian public law, public policy evaluation, and creative writing

Extra-Curricular

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Languages

• conversational French with preintermediate reading skills
• functional Japanese speaking ability with high-beginner conversational ability.

Volunteer

• writing: novellas, short stories, screenplays, tv scripts, and two blogs (ESL and graphic novels)

Notice how the all the sentences start with a verb. The imperative form allows you to write about your work experience more clearly and in more detail. It also makes your resume less repetitive. The bullet points (the big black dots before each sentence) mean you don't have to follow grammar rules so strictly (but watch your spelling).

"I worked at...."..."I was awarded..." ..."I managed..."

😩

 Using verbs and adjectives brings more attention to your work.

Created interesting training programmes....

Managed an exceptional group of....

Developed many engaging materials for....

Keep your paragraphs short, three to four lines each. Human resources staffers, managers, and business owners will often have to read dozens, sometimes hundreds of resumes. Shorter paragraphs make your resume easier to read. 

If you're not sure how to layout your resume, use the templates at Novoresume to help you design an eye-cathing CV.

When you list your work experience start with the job you have now or your most recent work. Include jobs that you think are most important  and interesting to the company you want to work for

 Remember, it's important to "talk yourself up" - promote yourself.  Words like exceptional, outstanding, excellent, solid, strong, etc., tell people that you won't just do a good job, but that you'll do a great job. It shows that you're confident in your ability to do the job. 

It's always a good idea to proofread your resume. Spelling mistakes and typos are embarrassing, and many employers take them seriously (if you spot any mistakes in the CV above, please make a note in the comments section)

It's important to ask someone you know to review your resume and give you feedback. Other people can often point out other skills and knowledge you may not know you have.