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So now that you know where to look for a job and have determined what your interests and skills are, it is time to prepare your marketing skills and write your resume.

Resume writing is one of the most important steps towards finding a summer job. It is the first thing an employer looks at when you apply for a job and it is your chance to sell yourself.

In general, this tool gives employers a quick overview of who you are, what qualifications you have, and why you want the job.

The quality of your resume is an important factor in determining whether you get a job interview or not. You want to highlight your strengths, accomplishments, and also tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for. A great resume is one you can reuse and constantly perfect as you develop new employment skills and experience.

An important thing to remember when writing a resume is your personal information. Make sure your personal information is correct and up to date. Also remember that if you chose to incorporate an e-mail address, it should be professional. Only include you first name, last name, or numbers if necessary. This may sound tedious, but the wrong contact information could keep you from getting an interview.

Remember employers do not want to read your autobiography. Keep it short! Employers read many resumes when seeking to fill a position and they want to learn what you can offer them in the minimal amount of time. Take the time to perfect your resume.

Type it on clean white paper and make sure it is organized and easy to read. Avoid repeating information and limit it to two pages. Employers usually spend 10 to 30 seconds on a resume, so make the important information easy to find.

The number one thing employers hate to see on a resume is a spelling mistake! Have your resume proof read by someone else. Errors on a resume can give a bad first impression and could cost you the job. Make sure your information is accurate because employers will check. Inflated or boastful claims can come back to haunt you.

Always send a cover letter with your resume. This is a great tool to signal your intentions of employment to an employer. Few people take the time to write a cover letter but it can give you an advantage when applying for a job. It is a more personal and direct way to show employers that you have the qualities they are looking for.

Applying these tips to your resume can help jump start your job search and give you an edge over the competition. For more information or personalized service, visit the Service Canada Centre for Youth at 120 Harbourview Blvd. (in the Federal Building) where a Youth Service Officers can work one-on-one with you to help create that perfect resume. Our phone number is 548-7970.

Written by Brittany Hachey, a youth services officer at the Service Canada Centre for Youth in Bathurst.