Resume and Cover Letter Fundamentals Course: Tailoring and ATS-friendly formatting

1. Question 1 of 16

   What is a master resume?

   • AA full record of your experience to copy from for each job
   • BThe first resume you ever wrote
   • CA resume that you send to every employer without any changes
   • DA resume written by a manager for you
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A full record of your experience to copy from for each job

   Keep one master resume with everything, then copy the parts that fit each job into a tailored version.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Why should you tailor your resume for each job?

   • ASo that each resume can be longer than the last one
   • BBecause a resume can be used only once
   • CBecause the law requires a brand-new resume for each employer
   • DA tailored resume shows the employer how you fit the job
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A tailored resume shows the employer how you fit the job

   Hiring managers notice generic resumes. Matching your skills to the job ad makes an interview more likely.

3. Question 3 of 16

   What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

   • AA government list of everyone in Canada who is looking for work
   • BA tool that checks your references for you
   • CA test you write before applying for a job
   • DSoftware that screens resumes by matching words and phrases
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Software that screens resumes by matching words and phrases

   Many employers use an ATS to screen resumes. A resume that uses different wording may never reach a person.

4. Question 4 of 16

   The job ad asks for "inventory management." Your resume says "stock control." What should you do?

   • ARemove the skill so the resume is shorter
   • BUse "inventory management" if it is true for your work
   • CKeep your own words, since software understands meanings
   • DUse both phrases many times to raise your score
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Use "inventory management" if it is true for your work

   Screening software may look for the exact words in the ad. Mirror the ad's keywords, but only where they are true for you.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Which resume layout is safest for an ATS?

   • ATwo columns, with a coloured sidebar that lists your skills
   • BText boxes, icons and a skills chart
   • CA table with each job in its own cell
   • DOne column with standard headings and simple bullets
   Show answer

   Answer: D. One column with standard headings and simple bullets

   Columns, tables, graphics and decorative bullets can confuse screening software, so a simple one-column layout is safest.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Why should you avoid putting your contact details in the page header or footer?

   • AHeaders and footers are reserved for page numbers by law in Canada
   • BScreening software may not read text in headers and footers
   • CEmployers never look at the top of a page
   • DIt makes the resume longer than two pages
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Screening software may not read text in headers and footers

   Alberta's career site warns against putting critical details such as contact information in headers or footers.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which section heading is an ATS most likely to recognize?

   • AWhere I've Been
   • BMy Journey So Far
   • CAdventures and Wins
   • DWork Experience
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Work Experience

   Standard headings such as "Work Experience" and "Skills" are easiest for screening software to read.

8. Question 8 of 16

   Which font is a safe choice for a resume?

   • AA handwriting-style script font
   • BA different font for each section
   • CA decorative font with shadows
   • DArial
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Arial

   Standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri and Times New Roman are easy to read for people and software.

9. Question 9 of 16

   A job posting does not say which file format to send. What should you do?

   • ASend a photo of your printed resume
   • BSend it in every file format at once, just to be safe
   • CPaste the resume into the body of the email
   • DContact the employer and ask which format they want
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Contact the employer and ask which format they want

   Alberta's career site says to follow the posting's format, and to contact the employer if it does not say.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Which file name is best for your resume?

    • AChris-Black-Resume.docx
    • BDocument1.docx
    • Cmy resume new oct.docx
    • Dresume_final_FINAL2.docx
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Chris-Black-Resume.docx

    Name the file with your first and last name and the word Resume, without words like "final" or a date.

11. Question 11 of 16

    You are applying by email. Where should your resume go?

    • AIn a link to a photo of it
    • BPasted into the body of the email
    • CIn the subject line
    • DIn an attached file
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In an attached file

    Alberta's career site says to always send your resume as an attachment, never in the body of the email.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Which question does Job Bank suggest you research before you apply?

    • AWhich current employees are planning to quit soon?
    • BWho are the employer's customers or clients?
    • CHow old are the current staff members?
    • DWhere does the hiring manager live?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Who are the employer's customers or clients?

    Job Bank suggests learning what the company does, the duties, the required skills, its customers and its reputation.

13. Question 13 of 16

    A federal government job poster lists essential qualifications. What should your application do?

    • ACopy the poster's wording exactly, without adding examples
    • BLeave out any criteria that seem hard to prove
    • CShow how you meet each one, with real examples and dates
    • DMention only the qualifications you like best
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Show how you meet each one, with real examples and dates

    Parks Canada advises using the criteria as headings, giving real examples with timeframes, and covering every one, or you may not be called for an interview.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Read the job ad. Your resume says "did weekly stock checks." What is the best change?

    Warehouse Associate (Posting WH-2291)
    Northline Supply, Winnipeg, MB

    What you will do: pick and pack orders, complete weekly inventory counts and load trucks.

    Requirements:
    - Valid forklift operator certificate
    - Experience with inventory counts
    - Use of handheld RF scanners
    - WHMIS training

    How to apply: email your resume and cover letter as Word documents to jobs@example.com. Put the posting number in the subject line.

    • AChange it to "completed weekly inventory counts"
    • BRemove it, because it is too simple to mention
    • CWrite "expert in all warehouse systems" instead
    • DKeep "did stock checks," since it means the same thing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Change it to "completed weekly inventory counts"

    The ad uses the phrase "inventory counts." Using the same true wording helps both screening software and the reader see the match.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Read the job ad. Which item should Ana, a certified forklift operator, place near the top of her resume?

    Warehouse Associate (Posting WH-2291)
    Northline Supply, Winnipeg, MB

    What you will do: pick and pack orders, complete weekly inventory counts and load trucks.

    Requirements:
    - Valid forklift operator certificate
    - Experience with inventory counts
    - Use of handheld RF scanners
    - WHMIS training

    How to apply: email your resume and cover letter as Word documents to jobs@example.com. Put the posting number in the subject line.

    • AHer valid forklift operator certificate
    • BHer hobby of baking for friends
    • CHer high-school volunteer car wash
    • DHer favourite warehouse music playlist
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Her valid forklift operator certificate

    The certificate is a listed requirement. Put your strongest matching qualifications near the top.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Read the job ad. Which is the best way for Ana to send her application?

    Warehouse Associate (Posting WH-2291)
    Northline Supply, Winnipeg, MB

    What you will do: pick and pack orders, complete weekly inventory counts and load trucks.

    Requirements:
    - Valid forklift operator certificate
    - Experience with inventory counts
    - Use of handheld RF scanners
    - WHMIS training

    How to apply: email your resume and cover letter as Word documents to jobs@example.com. Put the posting number in the subject line.

    • APaste her resume into the body of the email
    • BEmail Word files with WH-2291 in the subject line
    • CDrop off a printed copy without calling first
    • DEmail a PDF version and leave the subject line blank to save time
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Email Word files with WH-2291 in the subject line

    Always follow the posting's instructions. This ad asks for Word documents by email with the posting number in the subject.

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