Writing a Winning Resume

The first step in writing a winning resume requires you to define the position or type of position you are looking for and assess your top qualifications. If you are applying for several types of jobs, consider writing a different resume for each. Your resume will be most effective when you target a specific type of job, and then describe how your skills, abilities, and experience qualify you for that position.

For each job type, research the job responsibilities and requirements for the position. You can find this information by browsing through the job advertisements for your occupation. Find out what your responsibilities will be, what skills, abilities, and data you’ll need, and what personal and professional qualities are required for success. Once you have determined the requirements of the position, analyze your past experience, accomplishments, education, and training for examples of work and personal character and begin building your resume in a way that best demonstrates your ability to succeed.

To write an effective summary, you should first understand what information should not be communicated in your resume. While descriptive of who you are, this information is not related to your potential employer in order to pre-screen your qualifications for their opportunity. Additionally, the summary should not contain your previous professional experience, except you can clearly demonstrate how such background can be of value in your future career development. Beware of generic statements, such as “I am well organized and detail oriented.” Employers want to hear your unique voice and get a sense of your communication skills while reading the summary portion of your resume.