Knowing how to write a good resume is a survival skill because the resume is an item that helps you open doors. Without a good resume, you can't get an interview, which means you won't be able to get the dream job you have been waiting for. So if you are looking to get a job (not just any job, but the job you want), be sure to do things right and learn how to create an outstanding resume. Here are some quick tips.

1. Promotional content.

Your resume is a piece of writing that you use to promote yourself. So don't be shy about using any promotional content that you can think of. For instance, many candidates will just include previous work experiences. You can go one step further by including testimonials from high profile individuals. Spend some time to think about the kind of content you can include to make yourself stand out.

2. Organizing the content.

Now that you have the content ready, and you know what you want to include in your resume, be sure to present everything in a well organized manner. Place the cover letter in front. The cover letter will explain why you are applying for the job, and why your skills are a good fit for the job. Don't send in cookie cutter cover letters. If you have downloaded some samples, be sure to customize them to the positions that you are applying for.

Next, present your personal details. Use sub-sections like "Contact Details", "Educational History", etc. to make your resume easier to read. Finally, include your work history, experiences, and any other references or testimonials that you may have.

3. Pay attention to small details.

You may think that your resume looks good at this point. Unfortunately, that is what a hundred candidates are thinking of as well. They all have well organized resumes. So what will make yours stand out? Your attention to small details could be the key to success. Number your pages and place footnotes to clarify anything that may appear vague. If you have many pages of content, be sure to include a table of content, as well as an executive summary. You must always remember that HR personnel has to spend hours to scan through thousands of resumes. Your goal is to make their job easier by sending in a clear and concise piece of writing.

4. More on the cover letter.

The cover letter is probably the first thing that the HR personnel sees. So spend more effort in perfecting the cover letter. The subject header should be straight to the point, indicating the position that you are applying for. The first paragraph should be a summary of the entire letter. Note that HR may not have the time to read the entire letter. So be sure to say everything to wish to say in the first paragraph. The body of the letter should elaborate more on why you are applying for the position.

There are a plethora of resume samples available online. Some are high quality samples and you can use them as references.