writing a killer resume

Mention that you're writing your resume, and you're sure to find yourself surrounded by people anxious to offer advice (much of it conflicting): Jazz it up with graphics and color. Keep it conservative. Limit the entries to your most recent and relevant work experiences. Don't leave anything out—you never know what might catch someone's eye.

We're not here to offer more rules. But we do have some ideas about what makes a resume stand out. Here are some pointers drawn from years of reading resumes written by professionals in the logistics and supply chain field:

• Format. Include your full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. It may seem too obvious to mention, but you'd be surprised at how often people fail to do this. Make a point of using an e-mail address that sounds professional. An address like hotdude@yahoo.com could actually land your resume in the reject pile without ever being read. Don't take that chance. It's easy enough to get an e-mail address with your first initial/last name or something equally benign.
• Length. There are several different schools of thought about the merits of a one-page versus a two-page resume. But whichever way you go, concentrate on writing a resume that provides concise, relevant information. Just be careful to avoid letting one or two sentences spill over onto the second (or third) page. If this happens, tighten up your spacing or use a slightly smaller point size (but no smaller than 11 points).
• Work history. List your previous job experiences in reverse-chronological order—the first job listed on your resume should be your current, or most recent, position. If you've included a job at a small, obscure company, include a short explanation of the company's business. This will help the reader understand how your experience at that facility might relate to a job at his or her company. Use a bullet format to list your previous jobs. Bullet points make your resume easy to read and save you the trouble of having to wrestle each entry into a proper sentence. Begin each bullet point with an action word (Improved, Built, Established) to emphasize what you accomplished in that position.
• Stress the key words. Many companies nowadays use computers to screen applications. Pepper your resume with the same key words that appear in the job description for the position you seek. That will help your resume survive the first screening, whether that screening is performed by a busy manager who scans resumes looking for the key terms or a computer programmed to handle that task.
• Customize. Spend a few minutes researching a company before you send in an application so that you can adapt your resume to the specific job opening and the potential employer's needs. If you know what an employer is looking for, you can highlight the skills that are important to that company using its preferred terminology.
• Education. In addition to your formal education, remember to include any relevant professional certifications or licenses you have earned. Also list industry-related seminars, conventions or courses you have attended to demonstrate your willingness to improve your skills. If you feel your educational background is light, consider taking some courses. Many organizations and schools offer online classes that allow you to "go to school" any time of the day or night.