Writing a winning resume is often not the chore that many believe it to be; an effective resume, one which will gain the position applied for, will be relatively brief, concise, and dynamic.

First, choose a sturdy type of paper, either white or cream-colored. Avoid glaring neon colors, or any other; there are other, better ways to show your individuality and style after you've landed an interview. The purpose of the resume is, after all, to gain that interview.

Use an easy-to-read font, such as Arial or Times New Roman; again, creativity is best expressed later in the job-hunting process, and you do want a potential employer to be able to easily read about your accomplishments and qualifications. Your resume should reflect a certain professionalism.

A resume begins with your name and contact information. Center this at the top of the page, paying attention to margins and spacing. List your full name, address, home telephone, cell phone, and email address.

The next section contains information on your education. Starting with your most recent degree or certification, work your way backwards in time to where and when you attended high school. Exact dates are not needed, only the years.

The third segment of your resume is a brief history of your employment. Again, start with your most current position and work your way backwards; include at least the past 10-20 years.

Include the names of past employers, your job titles, the years you were employed at each, and a brief summary of your duties. You don't have to list every single thing you accomplished or were responsible for, but do explain the basics.

Finally, you may list any honors or awards you've received over the years, in list form, beginning with the most recent. A second paragraph could include volunteer work in which you've participated and organizations you are affiliated with; a third paragraph could list your hobbies and interests.

Close the resume with one line: References Available Upon Request. Keep a list of professionals with whom you've worked, along with their contact information, to give to prospective employers. You may wish to attach a separate sheet, same paper, same font, same style, to give to employers along with the resume itself. In that case, you would say: References Attached.

Now it's time to revise. Look at your wording. Did you use the same tense, the same style throughout the resume? Don't say, "I am doing such-and-such" and then say "I did such-and-such" in the section for your job duties. Double-check your spelling and grammar. If you begin using formal sentences, continue to do so; if you begin by indenting certain sections, make sure they are all consistent.

Look at the words themselves: did you write that you "did" something or that you "created" or "implemented" something? Prospective employers like to see action words, specific statements, and a collegiate reading level.

A winning resume is quite simple to write; it takes little time and, by following these suggestions, it can be quite easy to land an interview. The purpose of a resume is to gain an interview and, if you have your basic version at hand at all times, you can be prepared for any opportunity.

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