In this abysmal job market it's critical that your resume stand out from the staggering stack of resumes swaying on a potential employer's desk. You don't want to be passed over before your application and resume are completely read, and you'll also want to make sure that there's something about you that gives you a significant advantage over other potential candidates, especially if the job is between you and one or two other people.
If there are thousands of applicants for a job you might not have a face-to-face interview; if this is the case your resume will have to speak for you. Your resume is the first presentation of the kind and quality of work that you will produce, so make sure that you cater your resume to the job in question. Don't go over the top in terms of formatting your resume, but don't make it bland either. Subtlety is the rule of thumb here, job seekers.
Potential employers have a large stack to go through and might not be inclined to finish your resume if they don't like the first lines, therefore you'll want to put the most important facts and information at the top and use the rest of the resume to provide details. Your resume is like the preview for a movie: you want to capture and intrigue the audience, get them pumped about this movie and telling their friends about it. You have to sell yourself.
You'll also want to make sure that your resume is up to date. Whenever your level of responsibility increases or you accomplish something, be sure to update your resume right away, no matter how insignificant it might seem. It may be just the thing that lands you your dream job.
Another handy tip is to have a functional resume. Reports show that a great deal of people are seeking jobs in a new field. For this reason you'll want to list your experience in a skill category rather than chronologically. Doing this shows potential employers the skills and experience that you have rather than the skills and experience that you do not have.
Another way to stand out is to include your very own certified background check along with your resume. This way companies don't have to go through the trouble and money to verify your employment and education history. Not only is your education and employment verified, employers will know right off of the bat that you are willing to put forth that extra effort. Just make sure that the background check is a certified one that can stand up to scrutiny.