Employers, especially those who have job postings on the Internet, receive hundreds, of resumes for a single position. So it is important for you to be armed with a resume that catches their attention, and tells them exactly what they need to know by expressing your qualifications in a clear, concise and aesthetically pleasing manner. Here are a few ways to ensure that your resume makes a good first impression and finds it’s way to the top of the stack.

Other categories you might include are "Language Skills," "Relevant Work Experience," "Computer Skills," "Volunteer Experience," "Publications," "Activities and Honors." Do not include personal information (i.e. hobbies, physical descriptions or your social security number).

Appearance
Along with effective organization, appearance can make or break your resume. Don’t forget the importance of fonts, formatting and presentation.

• Fonts. Whether you fax, mail or e-mail your resume to prospective employers, you should keep your font plain and easy to read. Try keeping fonts at 11 to 12 points, and using a legible font like Arial or Times New Roman.

• Formatting. Just because Microsoft Word has all of those formatting capabilities doesn’t mean you have to use them. Large fonts, colors, and graphic embellishments can be distracting, so be a minimalist and only use purposeful formatting. Simple bullets are great for separating your duties and skills; and small caps are the perfect way to highlight each job.

• Paper. Even if you don't mail your resume to employers, you should have hard copies on hand to bring to interviews. These copies should be on tasteful resume-quality paper. White, off-white, cream, and gray are the easiest to read.