Your resume is the first interface you have with your employer. Make  the most of this opportunity............. The employment market is changing all the time and so have resumes, evolving from a one-size-fits-all standard. Here are our tips to convert your resume into a catching one.

General tips to prepare your CV:

On the Internet usually the CV�s are send via e-mail to respective companies, but it is still important that you carry a copy along with you during your preliminary interview.

1. Use good quality paper for your CV�s. After all you are describing your years of hard-earned education and experience. Always value yourself.

2. Never send a badly duplicated photocopy of your CV. Even if you have to send a photocopy ideally use a good copier and executive bond paper or other similar quality.

3. Always remember to put your telephone no. If possible give an alternate number of your pager/mobile or email no

4. The section you should describe most is your work experience. Ideally give your job responsibilities point wise with sub headings. This would help to describe the matter briefly as well as to the point.

5. Ideally restrict your CV to not more than three pages. After all you should have some matter to talk about during your interview.

6. Check for spelling errors and grammatical mistake before you take a final copy of your CV as even a small error could cause an embarrassing situation for you.

7. Remember to mention any awards / promotion or other recognition earned by you in your previous work experience.

8. If you are a fresher than stress more on your education section and also mention other additional qualification in detail. Give a brief description about projects and extra curricular activities undertaken by you.

9. Include sections like languages know, hobbies and interests, extra curricular activities, your positive points in brief.

10. Remember to include the exact time spent in each company supported by dates. Also give dates of completing each degree.

11. Some companies do ask for photographs so carry at least two-passport size photograph just in case you are asked to submit them.

12. Select a simple font with appropriate font size to give clarity and legibility to your precious CV.

Follow These Basic Standards....

• Don't overcrowd your resume; allow for plenty of white space.

• Keep your resume to one page whenever possible. 

• Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum -- two at the most.

• Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman works well. 

• Do not justify the lines of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag." 

• Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features. 

• Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page. 

• Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer. 

• Second- and third-generation photocopies must be avoided 

• Print on one side of the paper only.  

Avoid Mistakes:

SPELLING MISTAKES:

To avoid spelling mistakes:  

• Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.

• Use a dictionary as you write.

• Perform a spell check on your finished resume.

• Carefully read every word in your resume.

• Have a friend or two proof read your resume for you.

PUNCTUATION MISTAKES:

Things to look for:

• Periods at the end of all full sentences.

• Be consistent in your use of punctuation.

• Always put periods and commas within quotation marks.

• Avoid using exclamation points.

GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES:

Grammar hang-ups to watch for:

• Do not switch tenses within your resume.

• The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)

• Duties you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).

• Capitalize all proper nouns.

• When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but

• use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108).

• If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. Eleven service awards won while employed.).

• Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose one and stick with it.).

• Choose Your Words Carefully:

• Phrase yourself well:

• Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words:

• accept (to receive), except (to exclude)

• all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)

• affect (to bring about change), effect (result)

• personal (private), personnel (staff members)

• role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).

• Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).

REFERENCES:

In most instances it is not necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references, whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom you know nothing

STICK TO THE POINT

Employers have a busy schedule, so don't expect them to read through a long resume. Ideally, resumes should be of one page, or of two pages only if absolutely necessary, to describe relevant work experience.

WORDS COUNT

Use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself to an employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer's needs with a clearly written, compelling resume. Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines). If you provide small, digestible pieces of information, your resume will be read. Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and "designed" emphasize your accomplishments. Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I". Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing". Just say, "managed": that sounds stronger and more active.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be vague. Telling someone that you "improved the company's efficiency" doesn't say much. But if you say that you "cut overhead costs by 20 per cent and saved the company Rs 20 Lakh during the last fiscal year", you are more specific.

HONESTY IS A GOOD POLICY

Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can cost you the job later.

DOUBLE-CHECK FOR MISTAKES

Check your resume for correct grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Make your resume easy on the eye. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text on the page. Allow for some space between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic fonts. Preferred fonts: Arial and Times Roman  

Ref : http://www.freshersworld.com/resume/resume.htm

Sample Resume : http://www.freshersworld.com/resume/resume1.doc