A resume is usually an applicant’s only chance to make a great first impression upon a prospective employer. A fantastic resume can be the reason one person gets a position over another, despite either qualifications. One could have excellent qualifications, impeccable job history, but have a sub-par application and not do as well as the one that has a fantastic application but nothing to back it up.

There are several different types of resume samples from which to choose as a basis for creating one’s own winning application. Perhaps the best style of application is one that highlights the applicant’s strong points while downplaying his or her weaknesses, such as gaps in employment history or short-lived positions that may not put the applicant in the most favorable light; however, the key is never to lie. Lying on a job application can get it thrown in the wastebasket, or worse, if the applicant does get hired, it can be grounds for dismissal.

Making a great first impression is the number one key to being hired into any position. A great resume and cover letter is the key. An applicant must have a professional looking application nowadays to even get the call for an interview. Employers look for people with a great eye for detail and the application is the best way that the employer can determine those who care about his or her presentation and those that do not.

Most employers can determine based on a resume alone if a potential applicant is the one. A fantastic application showcases one’s achievements. The better one looks on paper, since this is the first that a prospective employee sees of the individual, the more likely he or she is to get a call for an interview. One’s resume must out-do the next applicant’s. Highlight areas of strength and downplay weaknesses. One can discuss weaknesses, and what he or she plans to do to rectify them, in the interview. The key is to get to the interview.

When choosing a resume template, choose one that showcases qualifications, affiliations, and experience over one that highlights employment history unless one has an impeccable work history. (In that case, choose one that highlights employment.)

The application will begin with name, address, home and cell phone numbers, and a business email all centered at the top of the page. This type of application is called the Targeted Resume. What follows is a bulleted list of one’s professional qualifications, followed by a bulleted list of professional affiliations. It then moves on to the employment history section, titled Professional Experience. Instead of putting in dates of employment, this is yet another list. It starts with the name of the company left justified followed by a bulleted list of responsibilities. It continues this way for all jobs the applicant is including in the application that are relevant to the position being applied for. No reference list is needed, because 1) the application is the applicant’s reference and 2) should the applicant be hired, they may ask for references then. No matter what, do not add positions that the applicant has never had nor pad the resume with responsibilities that one has never had in his or her positions. One may be asked questions about these and the best answer is a truthful one.

Gaps in employment or short-lived positions can make an application look questionable from the beginning. The applicant will surely be asked what created those gaps and why he or she only spent so much time at such-and-such a position. If there are gaps, use one of the places on the application to explain, or state that the individual will explain in the interview. References are not something that have to be added on today’s resumes. One will normally be asked for those in the interview, or sometimes not at all because the resume and interview will speak for themselves.

Refusing to lie on the application shows good morals and excellent ethical standards. This is something that most every employer looks for. If the individual has a criminal record it should be disclosed prior to the interview. The individual’s time and that of the employer are valuable commodities. Depending on the nature of the offense and how long ago the crime was committed, most employers are willing to hire the individual because he or she has shown honesty beforehand. If one can show remorse and the fact that he or she has learned from his or her mistake, the more likely the employer will be to give that applicant a shot at the position.