Resume Designs

Developing A Winning Resume

There is no "perfect" or "right" resume format. The format you choose will depend upon the job you hope to find and your past experiences. Below are some guidelines to help you get started.  For more in depth assistance, visit one of our Resource Centers and use our Winway Resume design software.

The purpose of a resume is to get you a job interview. It doesn't get you the job, it simply gets you in the door. The interview gets you the job.

A resume should provide an accurate and succinct account of your qualifications.  It needs to be logically organized, free of grammatical errors and focused on aspects of your background that are likely to capture the interest of a would-be employer.

General Resume Guidelines

  1. The length of a resume should be one to two pages long and feature a simple uncluttered layout. If you do go to two pages, make sure the most important information is stated on the first page.
  2. Use boldface or all-capital letters for headings and only one typeface. Make sure the left and right margins are at least one inch wide.
  3. Consider using high-quality white or off-white paper, always type or word-process your resume and have it professionally copied.
  4. Design your resume with a particular objective in mind. Present information important to the objective first and list information in descending order of importance.
  5. Be selective with what you include in your resume, but never falsify or exaggerate information. Reflect gaps in employment. If you took five years off to raise your children, for example, explain it in your cover letter, but don't omit dates from your resume in hopes that no one will notice.
  6. Concentrate on the positive and use action verbs to descibe your background.
  7. Sell yourself. Attract attention to your special abilities.
  8. Customize your resume. Make it relevant to your work experience and how you can help the organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include references and a salary history on my resume?

It is always a good idea to have a reference and salary history sheet printed in case they're requested by an employer. However, do not send them unless requested by the employer. If an employer requests only salary requirements, don't send a salary history, instead give them a salary range in your cover letter such as: "I am currently seeking a position in the range of $20,000-$22,000 per year."

When listing references, seperate them into business and personal. The employer may request both or will indicate the type of references needed. Be sure to call your references first and make sure it is okay if you use their names.

When do I send a thank-you letter?

"Thank you" is a powerful statement that is heard too seldom. Every thank you is an opportunity to restate your qualifications and to leave a fresh impression in the mind of the reader. Send a thank-you letter or note within one or two days of your interview. It is also appropriate to send a thank you to any employment contacts whenever they have extended themselves in any way on behalf of your job search.

Thank-you letters and notes should be standard tools in your job search. The thank-you letter should follow a standard business letter format, be two to three paragraphs in length, state the time, date and place you had your interview and reiterate your strongest selling points.

If you interviewed with more than one person, send the thank-you letter to either the main contact or the individual who will be making the hiring decision (or both, if you feel it is appropriate). Within your letter be sure to thank each person that participated in the interview. You may also choose to send a thank-you letter to each person.