Resume Writing: How to Stand Out From the Crowd

Objective

Educate on the key elements of a resume and how to properly convey transferable skills and quantifiable results

1. Share how resumes are screened by companies and the importance of tailoring
2. Review the major sections and how to properly structure a resume
3. Discuss the key differentiators of a resume: results & accomplishments

Proposed Agenda

1. Difference between Resume & C.V.
2. How Recruiters Scan Resumes & What They are Looking For
3. Common Resume Problems
4. The Structure of a Resume: Section by Section
5. How to Write Effective Bullet Points
6. Layout, Style and Formatting
7. The Art of the Cover Letter

Activities

1. Participants need to bring along 2 hardcopies of their own pre-written resumes printed out, so they can make personalised changes throughout the workshop. You can click here to watch a series of short 5min videos online prior to the workshop.
2. How recruiters scan resumes & what they are looking for
3. Time will be given in the workshop to critique each other’s resumes in groups of 2-3
4. Small group discussion/critique of pre-made sample resumes, both good & bad

About the Trainer

Jonathan Kwan is a Managing Director of Kwantum Leap Group. Jon has close to 10 years of experience as a career coach, and currently as an external career advisor for the world’s top business schools, including Cambridge (Judge), INSEAD, HKUST & CUHK. In addition, Jon is an Adjunct at Singapore Management University teaching Career Skills to undergraduates, and a Guest Lecturer at the NUS Business School teaching Management Communications to MBAs. He has also taught at the prestigious Shad Valley Program, Canada’s top program for leadership and entrepreneurship.

Originally from Toronto, Jon spent 7 years in the Consulting practice of Deloitte advising clients in the financial services industry, retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, hi-tech and the public sector. In addition, Jon was a member of the Campus Recruiting Team for 6 years, which he led for 3. In this capacity, he reviewed resumes, conducted interviews and defined the recruiting strategy that has led to over 100 interns, undergraduates and MBAs joining the company during his tenure. As one of the youngest Managers in the practice, Jon was constantly asked to mentor young analysts and has given company-wide workshops on what it takes to succeed in the corporate world.

Having had the fortune to live and work on 3 separate continents, Jon now calls Singapore home. Outside of work, he is the founder and a member of the Board of Directors of the CUTC Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on technology education and awareness. In Asia, he recently founded Audacity, a movement that provides role models and encourages youth to not be afraid of following the road less traveled during their careers.

Jon holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours – Co-op) in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo. In his spare time, you can find him playing Ultimate Frisbee in and around the island.