Make a list of your achievements

Start by making a chronological list of all the things you’ve ever achieved or done. Include every job you’ve held, every honor you’ve received and every skill you’ve developed. This will be a long list. That’s the point. Consider it your master file of resume material; you’ll pick and choose items from this list to build various drafts of your resume.

I recommend: Your resume is your opportunity to highlight your best moments and traits; it’s to your advantage, then, to erase evidence of your worst. Type your name into search engines like Google and Yahoo! to see what comes up. If there is anything online that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, contact the Webmaster and try to have it removed.

Review sample resumes to decide what type of resume you need

Look at sample resumes to determine if you need a chronological resume, which details your work history backward from your most recent position; a functional resume, which is a patchwork of relevant professional and personal details; or a curriculum vitae, or C.V., which is a long-form resume common in academic and scientific professions.

I recommend: Download sample resumes by type and industry from About.com, Resume Resource and Quintessential Careers. Not enough? More resume examples can be found at Aroj and ResumePower.com.

Develop an objective for your resume

Most experts agree that your resume should include a statement about the type of position you’re looking for. An objective, however, only succeeds in telling potential employers what you’ll get from them. Instead, consider a statement that describes what they’ll get from you. For example, replace your objective with a simple, one-sentence headline that highlights your main qualifications.

I recommend: Whether you include them explicitly in your resume or not, it’s important to have tangible career goals. Flesh yours out by taking a career assessment test such as the MAPP, a free evaluation of your professional motivations, or The Princeton Review Career Quiz.

Focus on your work experience

A resume is designed to detail your work history, to show employers that your past experience has equipped you for a position with their company. Keep your job history front and center, then. Avoid providing a complete job description, however, and concentrate instead on highlighting specific achievements within your past performance.

I recommend: A resume writing service can show you a sample resume and help you effectively sell your specific experience for a given job or industry. You can hire a company from Business.com’s directory of resumes, such as Resume Edge, to teach you how to write a resume. Or, you can search for a certified professional resume writer in your area via the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches.

Promote your education

Education is an important part of any resume. Don’t just list where you went to school, though. Be sure to also mention any professional development programs or continuing education courses that you’ve completed. Highlight anything—individual courses, degrees or extracurricular activities—that might have prepared you for a position.

I recommend: For help completing the education portion of your resume, fill out the education worksheet from About.com’s Resume and Cover Letter Guide.

Sell your skills

Resumes aren’t just places to say what you’ve done. They’re also somewhere to describe what you’re capable of contributing. Recognize your special talents, qualifications and knowledge, then sell yourself on paper in as persuasive a manner as possible.

I recommend: For a list of skills that employers look for, which you can cite in your resume, download The Conference Board of Canada’s Employability Skills 2000+ brochure. Then, evaluate the skills you already have by consulting with one of the companies listed in Business.com’s directory of employment tests.

Pull out your best writing skills

It’s a resume, not a novel, but good writing still counts. Use action-oriented sentences and pay close attention to spelling and grammar. Be clear and concise, but also clever and complete.

I recommend: Further showcase your writing skills by writing a spectacular cover letter to go with your resume. For assistance with your cover letter, consult Business.com’s directory of sample cover letters.

Format your resume so that it’s easy to read

Learning how to write a resume is half the battle; learning how to organize one is the other half. Consider using bold headings, distinct blocks of text and bullet points, all in an effort at making your resume easy to scan for a busy potential employer.

I recommend: There are infinite ways to format your resume. For ideas, download resume templates for Microsoft Word from Microsoft Office Online.

Edit your resume, then send it

Never put a resume in the mail without first proofreading it. Make sure your margins are even, your formatting consistent and your punctuation correct. When you’re ready to send your resume off into the world, be sure to follow any mailing instructions that were outlined by the employer in the job ad.

I recommend: Print your resume on professional-grade resume paper, which can be purchased from a paper retailer like Southworth, and then mail it with adequate postage in a 9-inch by 12-inch envelope. If you plan to post your resume online, you can use Resume Rabbit to put it on up to 84 different job search Web sites.