On average, out of every 200 resumes, only one applicant is granted an interview. By following these suggestions, you can avoid some of the most common mistakes and possibly land the job.

Objective

This is your chance to detail what you’re looking for an employer. Narrow your objective down to a specific position and get straight to the point, leading into why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Summary

Here is where you list your qualifications. Be sure to list qualities that are relevant to the position and impress the interviewer without overdoing it. If you’re applying for a sales position, your auto-mechanics certificate doesn’t need to be mentioned.

Employment

While it’s a good idea to list of your previous jobs, you especially want to highlight those that relate to the position in question. Omit any insignificant or brief gaps that may indicate that you you’re a job-hopper.

Two-section Approach

In general, all great resumes are composed of two sections. In the first part you’ll list abilities and achievements that represent your qualifications. In the section second is where you back up these assertions with solid evidence in the way of your employment history and attributes.

The hiring practice has changed drastically over the years. However, many of the same resume myths are still circulating. Here are 5 of the most common misconceptions:

# 1 - One-page rule - In truth, overall quality is more important than length. If you’re concerned about length, add a few extra pages to serve as an addendum and you’ll be just fine.

# 2 - It’s okay to lie - lying on your resume is the ultimate “no-no”. If you do get the job, there’s a great chance that the employer will check your references later, leading to termination or worse.

# 3 - You need an objective - though it wouldn’t hurt, an objective is not required. Many of them merely contain generic information the employee has seen on hundreds of resumes.

# 4 - You need references on the resume - contrary to several myths, your references do not have to be listed on the resume itself. Usually, a separate sheet is added to serve as the reference page.

# 5 - A broad resume is suitable for all jobs - this may be the case if you’re specifically looking for work in the warehouse field. Just don’t go advertising your experience as a hi-lo driver when you’re applying for a telemarketing position.

Writing a resume is difficult, but more difficult is what to write in the resume. Everyone has a different idea about how to make these things win. However, there are some dos and dont’s about resumes that one should definitely understand.

Never list all your jobs on the resume. If you write down every job you have had, the future employer well think you are unstable and perhaps will also leave his company soon. The resume is not a legal document, but is an advertisement about you. You highlight what you want and then can talk about any missing gaps when asked. And always be honest about it.

When you send in your resume, avoid folding it to fill the envelope. Better buy a larger envelope. In addition, do not staple or clip the resume. Keep the resume simple and easy to access.

Some people add a very large photo to their resume. Unless asked to submit a photo, one should avoid this practice. You never know what the employer(s) may be biased against: may be they do not like certain features of your body, your hair, your sex, your weight, your ethnic make up, etc.

When asked to send a photo, do not send one which is almost half a page. Send a small decent size good quality picture which reflects you. Dress well for the photo-do not send a tacky picture of you playing tennis. A 2 x 2 should suffice.

In today’s ever increasingly competitive market it is absolutely essential to have a resume that shines above the rest. More than just a boring list of previous jobs held and schools attended a resume has to impress – immediately. It is sometimes your only chance to get your foot in the door.

One huge difference in today’s market is how resumes are “received”. In the past resumes were read by one or two HR people with the time to sift through dozens submitted by job hopefuls. Today, when a job is posted people all over the world are willing to compete for the position. To cope with the ever-expanding work force and hundreds of resumes that are received, they are often scanned through programs that pick up key words that fit the needs of the company.

Everyone knows that a resume should contain no more than two pages. Very likely, one page will be enough. Choose a format that gives you the ability to headline your best attributes and key skills. To increase your chance of being put on the short list, be sure to include this information that highlights your suitability near the top. Be sure to bullet point your achievements and the role you played in various positions then add a brief comment about them.

You want to leave out irrelevant information especially if it is of a personal nature. Companies are interested in your ability to fill a particular role that is available. They do not care that you need more money to pay child support. Don’t think they don’t notice your extracurricular activities though. Your participation within the community could later prove invaluable to them. The whole point of the resume you write is to point out the value you will add to a company. Keep this in mind with every word you carefully include in it. Don’t hesitate to go on line to find a resume format that best suits your personality and profession. There are hundreds out there that you can access for free.