Put simply; your resume is the single most important resource you have available for your job search, except yourself. However, being as you will not be able to present yourself until invited to interview, it is important to discover how to write resumes correctly. No matter how well suited you are for the position, if your resume doesn't advertise this, you could be dead in the water.

The important word in the above paragraph is "advertise". For that is exactly what your resume is, and advert to sell you. And it needs to be as hard hitting as the slickest ad campaign ever launched. Prospective employers make snap decisions, as soon as your resume is in their hands, so how can you give your resume the edge?

Firstly, a few basic tips for its construction: Avoid trying to impress them with your artistic side. A plain font on a white background is sufficient, with each section clearly marked. You should only provide a photo if specifically asked to. As a rule of thumb, a resume should be no longer than two pages in length.

Do not make it light hearted and comical, and certainly avoid bad mouthing previous employers.

There are certain things that should always be included: Career history, (including internal progressions), qualifications and achievements, with most recent given first, and your contact details.

Whilst formats can vary, a basic one that is effective is to begin with your name and contact details. Next, provide a brief profile of yourself and why you are applying. Following this should be qualifications, achievements and education in reverse chronological order.

The final section should be a list of references for the employer to contact.

Be sure to make a note of the application closing date, and make sure you get it there on time. Late entries will often be trashed, unopened.

Find out more about how to write resumes that will almost guarantee a job interview http://www.squidoo.com/how-to_make_a_resume.