How to Write a Winning Resume

Black Collegian, Oct 2003 by Bruce, Calvin

You do not need a crystal ball to know that the job market over the last year or so is tighter than it has been in a long while. In fact, many Fortune 500 companies report receiving over 1,000 unsolicited resumes each week. For this reason, you must apply yourself more diligently in your resume preparation in order to land interviews and sell yourself to prospective employers face-to-face.

In order to obtain interviews with top-notch companies, you must present attention-getting resumes that depict you in the best possible light. Although there is no foolproof formula for writing a "winning" resume, the following guidelines should be instructive for those of you serious about making the best impression you can on paper.

Attractive Appearance

Scores of books have been written on the topic of how to create a "killer resume." They all indicate the importance of designing resumes that are visually appealing. Here are some key pointers in this regard:

* Use quality paper stock. One suggestion is Southworth fine business paper, with 24 lb., 25% cotton content. White or off-white is always a safe bet in terms of color selection. As an exception to this rule, students with a degree in fine arts, interior design, or graphic arts might want to consider paper stock that is a bit more "creative" - such as beige or pale pastel. (Keep in mind, though, that colored paper does not reproduce as well on the copier as white stock. And an employer will likely make copies of your resume or scan it; so opting for something other than white is risky.)

* Select a clear, readable font with appropriate point size. A good choice is Arial, 12-point. Whatever you choose, be sure that it is readable and looks professional. Although it's appropriate to use underlining, italics, or small caps in moderation to set off certain portions of the resume, make certain that none of these detracts from the overall appearance. Similarly, show restraint in using more than one font. No matter how impressive the content of the resume is, if it looks "too busy" to the ordinary eye, the person scanning it will likely be turned off immediately.

* Balance the elements of the resume for the best effect. The key components of a resume include: heading (with personal contact information) ; job objective; education (and academic accomplishments); work experience; personal information; and references. To balance these sections of the resume, include an appropriate amount of white space in the margins (1-1/2' - 2") and between each major section of the document.

* Carefully proofread the resume. To anyone reading your resume, any typographical, spelling, or syntax errors stand out like a sore thumb. Even if you are an English major, double-check your resume for any such mistakes. As a further safeguard, have other persons read your resume: a counselor in the placement office, a professor, someone working in your academic field, a family member with good proofreading skills, and so on. Considering how hard you've worked to prepare yourself for job-hunting, why spoil your chances by presenting a resume with easily detected flaws?

* Consider using special envelopes. One option is to use envelopes that match the paper stock of the resume, such as off-white. It really doesn't cost much more than purchasing regular business-size envelopes. Another option is to buy larger envelopes (9" x 12") from a stationery store with "Resume Enclosed" printed on the front. This allows you to mail your resume flat, which makes a better appearance than if it is tri-folded in a standard business envelope.

If the persons reviewing your resume like the looks of it, they will be more predisposed to read it for its content value.

Impressive Content

Apart from displaying an attractive appearance, a winning resume includes factual information that will impress a prospective employer.

What do employers look for in hiring college students? They know that most seniors typically lack a lot of work experience. More than anything else, they base their selection on what they perceive to be candidates' promise and potential. Any and all evidence of past success in the classroom, on the playing field, or in any other worthwhile endeavors indicates the likelihood of success on the job.

Let's consider some key evaluation criteria that corporate recruiters and human resources managers weigh heavily when considering seniors for entry-level positions.

Academic strengths: Presenting a strong academic background gives evidence of innate intelligence and scholastic ability. In almost any field of endeavor, "brain power" is an essential component of success. Students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher should certainly highlight that on their resume. (Anything less than 3.0 should not even be mentioned.) Similarly, membership in academic honorary societies provides further indication of exceptional intellectual ability and scholastic achievement.

Athletic accomplishments: Excelling in competitive sports points to discipline and drive - two traits highly valued in the business world. Employers recognize that students who have distinguished themselves on the playing field have learned to bounce back after defeat, work well as a team member, develop a championship spirit, and make the necessary sacrifices to achieve challenging goals. In particular, your resume should highlight any individual or group athletic awards during your collegiate career.