5. How to Write a Winning Resume

① Purpose of a Resume

• Primary tool for passing initial screening and attracting recruiter attention.
• Must clearly present qualifications, experience, and achievements in a concise format.
• Recruiters receive thousands of resumes each year; only a fraction reach interview stage.

② Key Writing Guidelines

• Keep it concise: 1 page (<5 years’ experience) or max 2 pages.
• Use simple, clean design with readable font and spacing.
• Incorporate keywords from job postings and use action verbs (e.g., Managed, Directed).
• Align career objectives with past experience.
• Quantify achievements with numbers: sales growth, team size, revenue impact.

③ Structure and Formats

• Common sections: Contact info, Objective, Qualifications, Work Experience, Education, Certificates, Skills.
• Chronological format: standard, shows steady career progression.
• Functional format: emphasizes skills/strengths, useful for career changes.
• Entry-level format: highlights education and internships, suited for students/new grads.

Points Summary