A first impression is a lasting impression when searching for employment; your resume is the first impression a company has of you.  A resume is a living document – always changing and expanding as your career grows.  The purpose of your resume is to share with the recruiter or hiring manager your areas of expertise in your own words.  Here are some steps to follow when writing your resume:

1. Write your own resume.  There are many services that will offer to write a fabulous resume for you.  The problem with this is that if you are not familiar with the words used in your resume, it may be hard to speak to.  Your resume in your voice is the best way to go.
2. Contact Information.  While it seems simple sometimes the basics are easily forgotten.  Don’t forget to add your most current contact information (name, phone and email address).  I also recommend that you only add contact information for where you want to be reached.  If you do not want to be contacted at your current employer, then do not put your work email and office phone number on there. 
3. Resume structure.  Ensure that your resume flows and is clear and concise.  My recommendation is that you use bullets with statements that begin with action verbs to describe what you have accomplished.  Your education and security clearance (if applicable) should be at the top.  Ensure that it is simple and clean with type no smaller than 10 font.  Your current position should be written in present tense and your previous positions should all be past tense. 
4. Write with a purpose.  Your resume should have a purpose!  While you are sharing your experience on your resume it is also important to convey your ability to think, add value and how dedicated you will be to the company if they hire you.  When I review your resume I want to know what makes you extraordinary and how you’re going to ‘wow’ my clients! 
5. Resume focus.  Focus your resume for the position that you are targeting.  Pay extra attention to who you send targeted resumes to.  For example, I have received resumes from candidates that were targeted for my competitor’s positions.
6. Spell check does find everything.  Do you want to be a manager or manger?  Two, too or to?  Ensure you take the time to not only spell check your resume, but also proof read it.  There are many words that are spelled correctly, however used incorrectly and not always caught.  Share your resume with someone you trust to review it.  As the author of a document, sometimes we are a bit too close to our work to catch all the errors.

Your resume is most certainly the document that assists in getting you in the door for an interview!  However, resumes are remembered for two reasons – You are either an extraordinary candidate with a skill set companies are trying to covet or your resume was so hideous it is being discussed at the water cooler.  Take your time, do your research and follow simple tips and you will be in the percentage of the workforce that is being coveted for the value you bring to the table.