Resume and Cover Letter Fundamentals Course: What to leave out, and references

1. Question 1 of 17

   Should you put a photo of yourself on a resume for most jobs in Canada?

   • AYes, but only a full-length photo
   • BNo, it is not the norm in Canada
   • COnly if the photo is in colour
   • DYes, employers expect one in the top corner
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, it is not the norm in Canada

   Job Bank says not to include a photo because it is not the norm in Canada.

2. Question 2 of 17

   Which personal number does Job Bank say you should never put on a resume?

   • AYour phone number
   • BYour certificate number for a course
   • CYour postal code
   • DYour Social Insurance Number (SIN)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

   Job Bank says never to include your Social Insurance Number on your resume.

3. Question 3 of 17

   When does an employer need your Social Insurance Number?

   • AAfter you are hired and start earning income
   • BWhen you ask about job openings
   • CBefore you are offered an interview for the position
   • DWhen you first send your resume
   Show answer

   Answer: A. After you are hired and start earning income

   Service Canada says your SIN is only required after hiring and upon earning income. Employers need it to report your income.

4. Question 4 of 17

   An online job application asks for your SIN before any interview. What does Service Canada say?

   • AYou must give it, but only by email
   • BYou must give it, or the employer is not allowed to read your application
   • CYou must give it if the job is part-time
   • DYou do not have to give your SIN to fill out a job application
   Show answer

   Answer: D. You do not have to give your SIN to fill out a job application

   Service Canada lists filling out a job application as a case where you do not have to provide your SIN.

5. Question 5 of 17

   Which of these should you leave off your resume?

   • AYour phone number
   • BYour certificates
   • CYour date of birth
   • DYour job titles
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Your date of birth

   WorkBC and Job Bank both advise leaving out overly personal details such as your birthdate, age or marital status.

6. Question 6 of 17

   Which of these is a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act?

   • ATyping speed
   • BLevel of education
   • CYears of experience
   • DMarital status
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Marital status

   Section 3 of the Act lists grounds including age, marital status, family status, religion and disability. Education and experience are job-related.

7. Question 7 of 17

   Why do Canadian career guides advise leaving age, religion and marital status off a resume?

   • AThey take up too much space on the page
   • BThey are personal details that should not affect hiring decisions
   • CThey are only needed for jobs outside Canada
   • DEmployers can already see them from your email address and phone number
   Show answer

   Answer: B. They are personal details that should not affect hiring decisions

   These details are not about your ability to do the job, and human rights laws list them as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

8. Question 8 of 17

   Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, which of these is a discriminatory practice?

   • AAsking for a list of references after an interview
   • BAsking applicants how many years of related experience they have in the trade
   • CUsing an application form that prefers applicants of a certain age
   • DAsking for proof of a required trade certificate
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Using an application form that prefers applicants of a certain age

   Section 8 makes it a discriminatory practice to use an application form that expresses a limitation or preference based on a prohibited ground, such as age.

9. Question 9 of 17

   The Canadian Human Rights Act covers employers within federal jurisdiction. Which employer is an example?

   • AA local dental office
   • BA bank
   • CA neighbourhood coffee shop
   • DA family-owned hair salon
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A bank

   Canadian Heritage lists banks, trucking companies, broadcasters and telecommunications companies. Most other occupations fall under provincial and territorial laws.

10. Question 10 of 17

    What does Job Bank advise about hobbies on a resume?

    • AUsually leave them out, because employers may judge them
    • BPut them near the top so that you seem friendly and interesting
    • CAlways list at least five hobbies
    • DList them instead of work experience
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Usually leave them out, because employers may judge them

    Job Bank does not recommend mentioning hobbies because of the judgments employers can make.

11. Question 11 of 17

    Should your resume explain why you left each job?

    • ANo; answer honestly if asked in an interview
    • BYes, for every job you list
    • CYes, but only for the jobs that you were fired from
    • DOnly if you left on good terms
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No; answer honestly if asked in an interview

    Job Bank says reasons for leaving add no value to a resume. Alberta's career site says to be honest, tactful and professional if an interviewer asks.

12. Question 12 of 17

    What does Job Bank advise about references?

    • APut them in your email signature
    • BList them at the top of your resume, under your contact details
    • CKeep them on a separate sheet and give them only when asked
    • DInclude them only on the first page
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep them on a separate sheet and give them only when asked

    Job Bank says to keep references on a separate sheet and provide them only when they are specifically requested.

13. Question 13 of 17

    What should you do before giving someone's name as a reference?

    • ASend them a copy of your SIN
    • BAsk only once, the first time you ever use their name
    • CAsk their permission each time you use their name
    • DNothing; references are public information
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ask their permission each time you use their name

    Alberta's career site says to always ask references for permission each time you use their names, and to tell them about the job.

14. Question 14 of 17

    Who usually makes the best work reference?

    • AA friend from another city
    • BA relative who has never seen you work
    • CA well-known person you met once
    • DA former supervisor who knows your work well
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A former supervisor who knows your work well

    Employers want to hear from people who can speak about how you work, such as supervisors or colleagues.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Farah is new to Canada and has no Canadian work references. Which is a good option?

    • AHer landlord's teenage son
    • BLeave references blank and hope they forget
    • CA neighbour who has never seen her work or volunteer
    • DHer supervisor from volunteer work in Canada
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Her supervisor from volunteer work in Canada

    Volunteer supervisors, teachers and settlement agency staff can speak about work-related traits when you lack Canadian work references.

16. Question 16 of 17

    Read Jordan's resume. Which item does Job Bank say must never appear on a resume?

    Jordan "J-Dawg" Singh
    Email: jdawg4life99@example.com
    Phone: 403-555-0142 (cell) and 587-555-0199 (home)
    Date of birth: 14 March 1998 | Married | Social Insurance Number: (full number listed)
    Photo attached at the top right

    Objective: To get a job.

    Work experience
    Cashier, FreshMart, Calgary, AB (2021 to present)
    - Responsible for the cash register
    - Reason for leaving: I want more hours

    • AHis job title at FreshMart
    • BHis dates of employment
    • CHis city and province
    • DHis Social Insurance Number
    Show answer

    Answer: D. His Social Insurance Number

    Job Bank says to never include your Social Insurance Number on a resume.

17. Question 17 of 17

    Read Jordan's resume. Besides the SIN, which other details should he remove?

    Jordan "J-Dawg" Singh
    Email: jdawg4life99@example.com
    Phone: 403-555-0142 (cell) and 587-555-0199 (home)
    Date of birth: 14 March 1998 | Married | Social Insurance Number: (full number listed)
    Photo attached at the top right

    Objective: To get a job.

    Work experience
    Cashier, FreshMart, Calgary, AB (2021 to present)
    - Responsible for the cash register
    - Reason for leaving: I want more hours

    • AHis job title and dates of work
    • BHis employer's name and the city where he works
    • CHis date of birth, marital status and photo
    • DHis phone number and email
    Show answer

    Answer: C. His date of birth, marital status and photo

    Age, marital status and photos are personal details that are left off Canadian resumes.

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