Writing a good resume that effectively shows what you're all about is a vital part of the job hunting process. It requires you to be honest about your abilities and accomplishments, and it forces you to organize your thoughts and pick your best features. Unfortunately, even if you accomplish these tasks, there's no guarantee your resume will even be read. Here are some ways to make sure you can use your resume to get your foot in the door.

Create a list of things you do at work. Update this list every time you learn something new or achieve one of your goals. This list is the basis for the job skills portion of your resume.

Look at the resumes of other people to get an idea of what you like and don't like in a resume's appearance. Microsoft.com has plenty of templates you can download; you don't have to use any of these, but it's a good way to see a wide variety of styles (see Resources). This can help you as you mentally envision what you want your resume to look like.

Begin your resume by listing your name and your contact information at the top of the page. Make sure this information is centered and bolded so that it will stand out; you can also use a bigger font size than you plan to use for the rest of your resume.

Create an objective statement that clearly states who you are and what you can offer a company. The objective statement shouldn't be more than a sentence and should be considered a short version of what you want your resume to say about you.

List the places you've worked and how long you worked at each place. Include three or four bullet points stating what you accomplished in each position. Refer back to your list of things you do at work in order to help you realize what makes you unique.

Add a section talking about your educational background. This can include a college education or any classes you've taken that relate to your career. If your grades in college were strong---according to Boston University, the rule of thumb is a GPA of 3.0 or higher---include this information in your resume.

Print a copy of your resume and see how it reads on paper. Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Once you feel it's perfect, start applying for jobs with your new resume.

Tips:

Tailor your resume to fit your unique situation and the jobs for which you're applying. For example, if you're graduating college and have no relevant work experience, move your education section to the top. If you're applying for a technology-heavy position, include a list of certifications and computer programs you know well.

When applying for jobs, use the description posted by the company to your advantage. Edit your resume to show that you have the criteria that the company is looking for.

Many companies now use automated resume scanning software that only pulls out those resumes that use specific keywords that the company is looking for. Make sure your resume contains industry terms and buzzwords, or else you'll run the risk of your resume never even being read. If you don't know what keywords to include, look at the job posting and use some of the same terminology they use.