1. Contact information
Believe it or not, it happens all too often that contact information is left off of a resume. Right underneath your name on the resume should be your mailing address, email address, and phone number.
If you have a cell phone, list it, not your parents or shared apartment’s land line as the number on your resume. Dump the hip-hop voice mail message and record something simple in a clear, firm voice.
2. Job objective
It’s important to tailor the Job Objective section of your resume to closely match the position being applied for and not be generic. The more your job objective seems to fill a company’s need, the better chance you have of getting an interview. The job they have should seem to be your life’s ambition. Use keywords. Customize the job objective to align with the position you're applying for.
3. Career summary
We are all the sum of our experiences (and then some), and many believe that our past actions define who we are today. A career summary section should be a descriptive selling point distilled from your past accomplishments that emphasizes your future value to the potential employer. In it, you list key achievements, skills, and experience relevant to the job you're applying for.
4. Headline
A resume headline (also known as a resume title) is a brief phrase that highlights your value as a candidate. Located at the top of your resume, a headline allows a hiring manager to see quickly and concisely what makes you the right person for the job.
5. Profile
A resume profile is a section of a resume that includes a brief summary of an applicant’s skills, experiences and goals as they relate to a specific job opening.
6. Experience
The experience section of your resume includes your employment history. List the companies you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held and a bulleted of responsibilities and achievements.
7. Education
In the education section of your resume, list the schools you attended, the degrees you attained, and any special awards and honours you earned. Also include professional development coursework and certifications.
8.Keywords from the job posting
You'll want to include (without making it look like you did a lot of "copying" and "pasting") some keywords and phrases from the job posting. This is especially important if the employer uses a resume scanning system.
Having the right keywords is especially important for online applications, which are frequently screened by computer programs looking for the right keywords.
9. Accomplishments and achievements
This section of your resume can say a lot about you. In it, list any awards received, industry seminars attended, and any other achievements that you consider relevant and that aren’t listed elsewhere.
Keep in mind that no one is interested in your fishing tournament trophy, that you were prom queen, or that you took a course in palm reading. What you list here will add merit to your resume if the contents are perceived by the reader as true accomplishments.
10. Relevant URLs
Depending on the field or position you're applying for, it may be useful to include links to your work (articles you've written, websites you've designed, photographs you've taken, etc.)