Writing a readable, effective resume is an important first step in getting your next job. Your resume is often the first impression you get to make with a new or prospective employer. The right impression gets you the chance to interview and prove you're right for the job. Give the wrong impression and all you'll get is a rejection letter.

While there are many resume examples, guidance, and advice available in the internet, we wanted to cover just a few of the more forgotten keys to writing an great resume that works.

Highlight What You Want:
Instead of having just one resume, you'll likely need several. It's important to customize your resume and cover letter to highlight certain qualifications and experiences that are particularly important to each opening. Instead of cramming every technical acronym, project, and training class into your resume, pick the most important and topical for that job. Highlight the experience and knowledge you have that you want to stand out when your resume is reviewed. Be sure to keep track of each resume to send out to employers so you can bring copies of that particular one with you to your interview.

Have Someone Objective Review:
It really is surprising how many resumes have spelling errors, bad grammar, or obvious layout or presentation issues. The problem is that since you're the one who's spent all the time on it and are so close to the work that it's hard to sometimes find and see these types of errors. The easy resolution is to ask someone objective to take some time to do a thorough job of reviewing and critiquing your resume. Having someone spend a few minutes really can make a difference. Remember, your resume is telling them something about you and something about what type of work you will do. Many experienced recruiters cite these type of easy mistakes as the one of the top issues they see with prospective candidates.

Be Honest:
While plenty of people try it (as recent news stories have highlighted), falsifying information, facts, or qualifications on your resume is a big mistake. Even if you somehow manage to get past the original screening and gain an interview, it's nearly certain that the people you meet and speak with will see the truth. Remember that the individuals receiving resumes at a company are accustomed to reviewing and screening them, and they will likely check with your references. Resumes with obvious enhancements usually end up being rejected. You'll be glad you represented yourself truthfully when you int he interview room ready and qualified for the job.

Spend just a few minutes to review and utilize these tips when putting together your resume. Take the time to tailor your resume as that first step towards your next job. Good Luck!

Kurt Allan publishes the Minnesota Job Bank HQ http://www.minnesotajobbankhq.com, and Unemployment MN http://www.mnunemploymentmn.com to help in your Minnesota job search.