For many people, the thought of writing a resume can be confusing and even intimidating. Whether you have recently graduated from college, or whether you have been in the workforce for many years and are looking for a new and better job, having a properly prepared resume is essential for your success. Your resume is your prospective employer's first view of you--it must convince him that you are the person he should hire for the job.

When writing their own resumes, many people make either of two mistakes. Either they provide too much information, or they do not provide enough. As your prospective employer is busy, it is unwise to go overboard with too much information, the wrong kinds of information, and unnecessary details. Similarly, as he needs to know exactly what your qualifications are, being too modest about your accomplishments and other relevant facts will not be in your favor.

The best resume will tell your prospective employer what you can bring to the job and what you can offer to the company itself. The information you include on your resume should be clear and brief. While there are a number of different formats of resumes, whichever resume format you choose the most important rule is that your resume be absolutely accurate and truthful. You will need to provide the names of your previous employers, and the dates during which you worked for each company. You will also need the names and dates of your college attendance. As various other types of experiences are an asset in job searching, relevant experiences in community service, school organizations, and other accomplishments can also be included on your resume.

As you are competing against hordes of other job searchers, and your resume is often the single most important factor in whether you get a call for an interview, professional resume writing may be the answer for you. This is the best way to ensure that your resume is in the correct form suitable for the job you are seeking, and that it is prepared properly with a focus on accomplishments and the value that you offer to the workplace.

Today's job market is much more competitive than ever before. Regardless of your level of skills, qualifications, education and prior work experience, having as much as possible in your favor when job searching will increase your chance of success. When you have your resume prepared by a professional, you are giving yourself the best possible edge over the competition.

As one of the leading authorities on resume writing, cover letter writing, and job searching, Michelle Dumas is the founder of Distinctive Career Services LLC. Since 1996, Michelle and her team have empowered thousands of professionals worldwide with results-generating resumes, cover letters, and job search strategies. Visit http://www.distinctiveweb.com to get your free "Revive Your Resume" audio mini-seminar.