You just have to play up the soft skills that would be applicable in both settings:
- Working with customers
- Coming to work on time, with a uniform, etc.
- Being organized
- Selling your company's product
- Adapting to high and low volumes of customers
- Performing secondary duties (e.g. when you weren't serving customers did you stock up? Clean?)
- Did you receive any professional certifications? For example, did you learn how to do schedules or some sort of maintenance program?

Hey Everyone! Just a quick question about resumes/applying for part-time jobs. I'm going into first year and would like a part-time job while I'm studying at university. Should I attach a cover letter to my resume even for a typical part-time job (fast food restaurant, clothing store, etc.)? Or should I keep it short and simple with a one page resume?

Also, I would ideally like to work only once a week, twice a week maximum, so that I can balance my work load in school. Is this something that I should make clear on the cover letter? Or something I should bring up if I were to receive an interview?

Thanks so much!

Ok awesome, thanks! Also, if I have multiple letter of references, should I attach them to the resume? Or should I just choose the best one and list any other references at the bottom of my resume? Thanks again!

I wouldn't attach a letter of reference to a resume. I wouldn't even include references on a resume, just say "References available upon request". You're giving away the personal information of your referees unnecessarily. Wait until the employer asks for references.

I have stuff on my resume that I did when I was 9 years old (I'm 19 now). I worked for the provincial government this summer, so I don't think writing about faded experiences is detrimental.

Is there any spot on a resume where you could put awards/scholarships. I don't really see a spot to put it but I feel that some of my awards/scholarships should be included- obviously I don't want every award I can think of on there just 2-4 maybe.

Thanks in advance.

If your resume is for getting a job, then under your education is the appropriate place. For example:

B.A., Carleton University
- Blah blah blah these are the highlights
- Awarded the I.M. Awesome Scholarship in 2010
- Awarded the bursary for academic excellence in 2009

If your resume is just for applying to university or based on academics, then yes, a separate section for awards and scholarships would be appropriate.

I would say 4 paeges is a tad long...maybe cut out some of the stuff that has little relevance to the position you're applying for.

I do alot of volunteer and extra-curricular stuff, and I believe they are all worth mentioning cause I've gotten many awards and such for them. Also this is for the supplementary form for University Business program....

4 pages is too long unless you've been a CEO of a major company and have like 5 Doctorates. Usually for people under 25 their resume is max. 2 pages. Once you get into significant experience (management, university degrees, publications, volunteer experience, etc.) you MAY go into 3 pages. If you're into four pages then you need to cut down on your explanations and only list the most relevant jobs and experiences (your paper route doesn't really matter when applying to university, for example :p ).


Right. If they read nothing else on your resume, they'll at least read your highlights. Those are snappy summaries like "winner of the 'Manager of the Year award'" and "qualified in restaurant management, health and safety, first aid, and defibrilator training."