Most people have no clue about how to create a resume. They may have excellent written communication skills, they may be superior sales people, but a resume is a unique document that has a very specific purpose. Most people rely on the advice and resume writing help they received from high school counselors, parents, or friends, and well…they usually don’t know how to write a resume either.

When creating a resume, there are a few important things to consider. First, you must write with the mindset that you are selling yourself – but you must exercise truth in advertising. Before creating your resume, sit down and make a list of your career accomplishments no matter how small or insignificant they may seem to you because all of your accomplishments could potentially add value to your resume. Evaluate which of your accomplishments are most impressive or most recent, and choose at least three from each position you’ve held in the past five years to place on your resume.

While employers want to know what you’ve done, and this will form the backbone of your resume, the actual writing process is another important consideration when you create a resume. Strong, active language should be used, but keep things concise and clear. The use of keywords is important, but do so judiciously and avoid overuse of “buzzwords.” The writing on your resume should convey to potential employers what you can actually do and who you are – as a professional.

Many people tend to believe employers want to know all about them before hiring them, or that including a lot of personal information will give them an edge over the competition. More often than not, this simply isn’t true. Creating a great resume is about displaying your career and your professional life. Period. Anything not related to your capabilities as a professional shouldn’t be on your resume. Really, anything not related to your professional abilities as they are related to the kind of job you’re seeking shouldn’t be on your resume. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a biology lab, employers aren’t likely to care about the three years you spent waiting tables. However, if there is some way to relate your skills from this experience to the job you’re wanting, then by all means include this on your resume.

Creating a great resume involves considering all of these things, and yet finding a way to make your resume unique. After all, you and your experiences and accomplishments are unique and a great resume reflects this. And if you can create a resume that will actively and effectively sell your professional qualifications to a potential employer, then you have mastered the art of creating a great resume.