You never get a second chance to make a first impression. We've all heard this a million times, right? In the job market, this tired old adage has never rung more true.

Don't assume that your first impression is the initial interview, or maybe the falsely professional way you've started answering your cell phone when waiting for The Call: Joanna Symes-Davis speaking... Assuming you don't completely flub the drop-by with the receptionist (who, by the way is probably instructed to immediately shred any CV handed over by a grubby unprofessional-looking shmuck), your first impression is your resume.

I've revised mine countless times over the years, and I'm sure some of those first drafts cost me an interview. To save you time and effort, I've compiled a list of the 5 most important things to consider when writing up the piece of paper that can be the difference between a career in kiosk sales and junior executive.

1. Content

Your potential employer is a busy person with limited time allotted to searching for new hires. The resume needs to reflect that: relevant, to-the-point, and clear.

Provide only the details that will actually relate to the position in question, but also look for well-roundedness in your scope. Mentioning that you coach basketball at the YMCA tells an employer you are a team player, have leadership skills, and a volunteering spirit. Listing hobbies such as knitting or reading tells him/her that you prefer working alone - and this is not always something you should advertise. In the same way, mention only the work experience you've had that would benefit your future position. Don't include your lawn-cutting summer job from 6 years ago.

Resist the tendency you developed while writing 12th grade English papers to expound and embellish. Employers can sniff BS from a mile away and it will only make you look unprofessional. Don't use 3 sentences when one succinctly worded one will do.

Keep descriptions jargon- and slang-free. Have a friend look over your finished product carefully for typos and grammar, as well as for readability. You shouldn't have to read a sentence over twice to understand the meaning.

2. Length

Less is more, right? If the interviewer has to flip through several pages, there had better be a compelling reason for him/her to want to slog through it all.

The best approach is to limit yourself to one page without sacrificing font size or margins. Keep the body no smaller than 10-point font (your footer can be smaller) and margins at least 1 inch on all sides. Use a catch-all at the end of your resume: further details available upon request.

The following details generally should not be included unless they are specifically requested:
-references
-biographical info (age, marital status, SSN/SIN, etc)
-hobbies
-work or volunteer experience older than 5 years (unless you have a justifiably sparse resume - extended maternity leave, studies, illness, etc).
-reason for leaving prior jobs
-high school information (unless you did not attend trade school or university)
-common technical skills (MS Office proficiency, typing speed, etc)

The following details should be included, if space allows:
-foreign language proficiency (but only if you are able to use it; 8th grade French does not count)
-extended time spent in other countries (familiarity with other cultures can be very important for companies that have a presence elsewhere, and also demonstrates your adaptability)
-association memberships, awards and volunteer positions that underscore your suitability for the position sought

3. Style

Know what the interviewer expects to see. Are you applying to a low-level HR person or the CEO? Is this a company that might have preprinted application forms? Different perspectives look for different information.

Consider the nature of the position when you decide on your summary style. Bullet points are usually sufficient for entry-level positions, but concise paragraphs are better for more senior posts.

Chronological sorting is not always ideal. Try listing your experience by task; for example:
-Project Management. I headed a team of six when ABC Inc. introduced a new product line, addressing employee training and customer relations...
-Customer Service. I have over seven years of experience in a range of customer services with three different employers...

Information placement is critical; your best selling points must appear at the top to make the interviewer interested enough to continue reading. The information should be ordered as:
-Name (plus any professional designations that are applicable)
-Position sought
-Employment experience
-Educational background
-Special skills
-Volunteer history
-Contact information should be placed as a footer, and include mailing address, one phone number, and email address.

4. Cover Letter

You are probably applying at more than one company for employment. Even though the interviewers expect this, take care to tailor your paperwork to each individual business. Tweaking your resume to highlight different relevant information is a good idea, but don't underestimate the importance of a cover letter.

First, take the time to find out who will be reading your resume. Address the letter to that person's attention so it won't bounce around in the general mail slot for a week before it finally lands in the right hands.

Second, understand each company you approach. Find general information on their target market, business history, and products; this will make your letter more effective and prep you for the interview.

Third, refer to the initial job posting: I am applying for the position described in your listing from the XYZ Journal... If you are not responding to a particular advertisement, simply state that you are seeking employment as _____.

Fourth, sell yourself. Why are you a good fit for them? Why are they a good fit for you? Are you willing to relocate? Include some simple details from your resume: Where did you graduate? Do you have project management experience? Resist the urge to regurgitate your resume and leave it at a teaser. Since they will read the letter first, you need to give them a reason to check out your CV.

Be careful when addressing some thorny questions that may have been raised in the initial job advertisement, such as wage expectations or total years of experience. This is often intended to discourage less qualified people from applying. The fact is, most people don't have 10-15 years of director-level experience. If you otherwise meet all of their requirements, you should still apply and never apologize for your lack of seniority. Your job is to sell yourself on your own merits, and if they want you they won't care. In the same way, try to save the salary negotiations until you know they are seriously interested. You should be paid what your skills are worth, but be prepared to take a slightly lower starting salary with the promise of a raise after the probationary period has expired, usually 3 months.

5. Appearance

Appearances are everything when your paperwork preceeds you into the interviewer's office. In the past, I've used colored paper, folders, or report covers to present my resume in the hopes that it would make it stick out of the pile. While I was not unsuccessful with this strategy when applying for a job at the mall, it was brought to my attention that such efforts were wasted in a professional setting. It turns out lime green paper is tacky (who knew?).

Instead, choose a high-quality paper and print each copy using a proper printer. You should never send out anything hand-written, photocopied or smudged, and in most cases emailing your resume is out, too. Bring a CD-ROM with your documents to your local big box office supply retailer and have them print it out. They usually charge a small fee ($3-$5) to open the file, plus copy and paper fees. They will have a selection of quality paper to choose from; you should manage less than $0.50 per copy, not including the file management fee.

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Always remember to follow up with the person reviewing applications after one week at the latest. If you get flustered thinking on your feet, write up a mini script before you call. Keep the conversation to-the-point, thank them for taking the time to speak with you, and hang up before you say something silly. Never worry about following up; most managers appreciate your initiative!

By: Claire Rahn

Do you have a resume writing tip to share?