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A college Sociology course entitled "Death and Dying" required students to read the obituaries in their local paper and then write one of their own. Sound morbid? Just think though about how many times you have read an obituary in which the main accomplishments of the deceased are listed as 'loved bingo and crossword puzzles' or 'liked watching sports on tv?' What a way to summarize your life!

The point of the obituary assignment was for the students to take an inventory of their lives, look ahead, and set goals regarding future accomplishments. Creating a resume is a remarkably similar project. Your resume is a job hunting tool which contains a brief summary of your education, experience, abilities, and skills. It is often the only information about you that a potential employer has. And, when the employer receives your resume, what type of an impression do you wish to convey? A poorly constructed resume may elicit employer reactions such as "Can you believe anyone wasted their time and mine sending this in? They say they have a 3.5 GPA, but look at all the typos!" I'm certain you would prefer the employer to react with, "Take a look at this resume! Let's call this person in for an interview."

Important tips for creating a great resume include the following:

Know yourself and your job goals
Always be truthful
Make use of action words
Update your resume regularly
Remember that neatness counts
Double check for accuracy of dates, spelling, grammar, and information
Have someone you trust critique your resume for you