Your resume provides a formal way of introducing you to a potential employer. Think of it as sending a small paper version of yourself to do the preliminary interview. It should be well dressed, communicate well, and be informative.

• Use letter size ivory, cream or neutral color paper. Margins should be 1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides. Leave space between main topics.
  

• Use simple fonts with a professional look that are large enough to read even when faxed, such as Arial 12 point. Avoid excessive graphics use, boxes or distracting lines and designs.
  

• Include your name, address and phone number are on every page of your resume, cover letter and reference lists.
  

• Avoid the use of I, such as "I developed the..." or "I assisted in..."; leave out the "I".
  

• Chronological: If you’re on a simple career path, and your last job is the most relevant experience to your next, a standard chronological resume is generally best. This lists your employment from last first, and puts your experience under each employer.
  

• Be consistent; it is easier to read and understand. Check your bolding, capitalizing, underlining and italicizing.
  

• Include your title, the company name, the dates of your employment and what you did or accomplished there. Detail is what will teach the potential employer about what you have to offer. INCLUDE COMPUTER SKILLS!
  

• Don’t include work experience that is 10-15 years old, work experience that doesn’t apply to the job, and everything of a personal nature.
  

• If possible, keep your resume to a single page without having it appear crowded.
  

• Deliver a current resume. Update it as often as necessary.
  

• Never lie on your resume. A falsified resume is easy to spot and can cause you to be dismissed in the future.
  

• Always proofread your resume AND have someone with excellent grammar and spelling skills review it.
  

• Always have spare copies of your resume. NEVER ask a potential employer to "make a copy because it is your last one."
  

• Know EVERYTHING that is written on your resume. Be able to back up all statements with specific examples.
  

• If you list references on your resume, contact them first to let them know the job-(s) for which you are applying, and ask them if it is acceptable for potential employers to contact them.
  

• Your resume is your marketing tool. It is a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light, for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview. It's not an official personnel document.