Resumes are read by many people from the human resources clerk to the hiring manager or CEO of a company. Categorize your personal information using specific key words that might be used in an electronic search database.

• Technical Knowledge - List all operating systems and programming languages and their associated platforms indicating the strength of your knowledge (i.e., in-depth knowledge, working knowledge).
• Qualifications - List your degrees, educational training, and specific skills. Indicate the work performed in previous positions defining the strength of knowledge to the relevance of the position. Quantify your experience by identifying specific functions and achievements accomplished. Prioritize your experience by importance and relativity to the job requisition.
• Action Verbs - Use action verbs at the beginning of each statement showing your position and performance as positive. Write your descriptions in past tense indicating what you have done in preparation for what you are now capable of doing.
• Sell Yourself - List all qualifications, list previous skills used as well as new skills you are learning. Indicate all strengths in a true and very positive manner informing the reader that you can do the work defined in the job requisition. Create an image that tells the reader that they need you.
• Concise - Indicate at least the last five years of experience for a one-page resume. Use the second page, detailing with concise text, the next ten years and no more than fifteen years maximum. Keep the use of articles (a, an, the) to a minimum and avoid pronouns.
• Proofread - Read and re-read your resume. A typo is unacceptable and indicates that you are not thorough in your work. Your resume is the first impression; make it look perfect.
• Cover Letter - Write a cover letter that addresses the specific needs of the open job position. This will encourage the reader to review your enclosed resume.