A resume is a brief description of your previous education, work experience, and relevant information. 

To introduce you to an employer

To serve as an example of how you think and express yourself

To catalog skills, experience, training and achievements

Name, address, city, state, zip, phone number with area code, e-mail address, fax number

Honors, awards, fellowships and scholarships

Licenses and certificates

Memberships and activities, including leadership positions

Special skills, such as computer knowledge and foreign languages

Job history listed with most recent job first

Previous job experience to include: title of position, name and address of employer, beginning and ending dates, job description and responsibilities

Education with most recent or current school first, including degree, name of high school or college, address, major and graduation date

Too short, too long (preferred length is one page)

Misspellings, typographical errors, poor grammar

Irrelevant information-height, weight, gender, marital status

Disorganization, too wordy and vague; important qualifications should stand out

Italics, underline, shadow or reverse type, vertical and horizontal lines, graphics or boxes

Easy to read, concise

Professional. Use a typewriter or computer to print your resume, making sure copies are neat and clean. Mail your resume in good condition preferably in a large envelope.

Emphasize key points or expressions by using bold type or underline