How to Write a Winning Resume

A potential employer's decision to hire you is somewhat based on the effectiveness of your resume. Interviews have been lost because of unbecoming resumes. Your resume is more than some glorified calling card on white paper bragging about your past accomplishments. Your resume is you on paper, and the key to getting your foot in the door. Shine.

1. Purchase the proper paper. Everyone uses computer paper, what is the big deal? There are everyone else's resumes and then there is your resume. Go to your local office supply store and splurge on special resume paper, which is a sturdier grade than regular copy paper. Or better yet, write the resume out, save it on your flash drive, and go to a printing store and have the store print it out for you using its best paper.


2. Introduce yourself. In block form at the top, mid-section of your page, create a header listing your name, address, phone numbers and email address. No nicknames, and use a professional sounding email. If your name is Candy, short for Candace, a good email name can be: Candace-Jones11@email.com. Do not use: Candygirlflavor@email.com. You might receive a callback, but not for that particular position. Avoid this, please.


3. Indicate your intentions for pursuing this position. What is your objective? One way is to state this is to say: "To seek gainful employment as a financial analyst, utilizing the education, training and degree obtained in college, as well as obtain advancements and explore opportunities for promotion."


4. List your experience. Starting from your most recent place of work, give names of companies and supervisors that you worked for; names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses are great, always remembering to get permission before listing the contact information.


5. Speak on education. Starting from your most recent place of completion or graduation, give the name of the institute, address, phone numbers, email address and date that you completed your education. If you didn't finish there, just omit date and keep everything else. Don't forget to include any training and certifications received from other jobs, positions or special courses.  


6. Speak on special skills. If you can type 90 words per minute, say it. If you are exceptionally gifted in the customer service department, write a very short synopsis on why. Give an example like this: "I am a people person who loves to go out of my way to make sure that any and every customer that I am assisting will have the best experience they can possibly have while being served." If there is a great example to back that up, briefly tell a short story of an example -- no more than two to four sentences. If unable to be brief, save it for the interview. 


7. Provide references. After you have received permission from the potential references, give their names, titles, addresses, phone numbers and email address.