A resumé is like a highly condensed book representing all the aspects of your professional life, and an employer faces a stack of resumés as though browsing in a bookstore. When choosing a book, the typical shopper considers certain details in a certain order, every time. If the first detail is insufficient to capture interest, the others do not get a chance: first the title, then the cover, the description on the back and, finally, the first pages. Each of these aspects of a book corresponds to a part of the resumé that cannot be ignored or skimped on: the typesetting, the format, the goal and the presentation of your experience.
The appearance of a resumé is its first impression. At its most effective, it will make a positive impact without distracting from the content. The basic look of a resumé should be streamlined and efficient. Standard fonts and sizes should be used for the text, and it should be printed on good-quality white or ivory paper. Many templates are available that will offer guidance in the format; simply replace the sample text with your own once you find a style that suits your needs. A good resumé will be uniform in its use of bold, italic and underlined letters, as well as in its style of bullet points and spacing.
The elements of a great resumé, as opposed to a merely good one, are found in its content. This starts with having a strong employment objective clearly stated at the top. The rest of the content is built around this core, to both support it and illustrate it. Unnecessary jobs need not be included in a purpose-driven resumé; if they do not reflect the skills needed for the desired goal, they can be seen as fluff. If you lack applicable experience, volunteering is a good way to gain the experience and references to include here. Descriptions need to be concise, using strong words and clear accomplishments. A resumé containing a single problem effectively solved for each employer, with a description of skills used to achieve it, is much more persuasive than a dry recitation of job duties. Remember the number of resumés a prospective employer must face, and build your resumé to be as brief and purposeful as you can to leave a great impression.