Everyone in the job market, from new graduates to seasoned executives, knows the importance of a good resume. It offers human resources professionals and recruiters the first opportunity to look at a candidate’s credentials. When a potential employer is trying to fill a position with the most qualified person for the job, your resume may be the only representation they have of you and your skills.

As brutal as it may seem, a poorly written resume can sometimes guarantee that it will get no further than a wastepaper basket. Likewise, a mediocre resume has a chance of surviving the screening process used to weed out the unimpressive or unqualified candidates in the group. However, a great resume can place your name at the top of the list of hundreds of applicants. It is one of the few documents you will ever compose that has to be letter perfect. Writing the perfect resume is worth the effort of learning to do well.

Several questions may arise that are as applicable to beginners as they are to veterans of the job hunting business. What qualities and characteristics make a resume perfect? In addition, how do I go about constructing the perfect document?

We advise job seekers to start with a few basic rules. The perfect resume is as much about what to include, as it is knowing what not to include. Here's a guideline to get started:

The perfect resume begins with lettering and formatting. Choose print fonts and sizes that are simple and easy to view. The idea is not to challenge the reader. Using print that is too small to read comfortably or overly large can draw the wrong kind of attention. The same rule applies to creative lettering. Unless the job is in an art department or calls for graphic design, it is usually safest to avoid making a fashion statement with resume lettering.

The headline with your name, address, phone numbers and email address should be current and clearly stated. It's surprising how often this information is left out or inaccurate.

Omit personal information such as height, age, weight, date of birth, gender or any other statistics that are irrelevant to the position. If the information is required later, it can always be added to an employment application or a personnel file.

When writing the body of the resume, place your strongest skills at or near the top of the list. An impressive academic background means you will list the education category first. If your assets are more strongly represented in current or previous work experiences, that category should appear first. The goal is to place your best talents where they are most visible.

Avoid words that are useless and only take up space. Employers are more interested in what you actually did and can do for them, rather than what you "assisted with" or were "responsible for" when they look for candidates. Stating job duties clearly and describing your contributions keeps the focus on what you can do for a new employer.

Account for any gaps in time between jobs. Phrase it in such a way that the time between employers appears to have been as productive as possible. That could mean stating that you returned to school to complete further education, took an online course or served as a volunteer. Lengthy gaps may arouse suspicion that could easily be explained.

Never lie or misrepresent your credentials on a resume. Employers can and do verify information. No position is worth the trouble it can cause.

Lastly, proof read your finished resume more than once. Ask someone else to proof it for you also. Look for any errors in punctuation, grammar or spelling. A computer spell check program will not always pick up every detail.

Writing the perfect resume is not as complex a task as it may seem. Paying attention to the smallest details and highlighting your best skills will produce the best results. In time, you'll be able to see a pattern in what styles work well for you. That perfect resume, when properly done, will lead to the perfect position for your career goals.