Everyone who plans on working to earn a living will need a resume. Unfortunately very few will receive the proper instruction and guidance on how to write, print and effectively utilize a resume. Teaching others basic resume writing skills will put you in high demand. Whether your goal is to help your friends and family or to generate income through a consulting business, the following steps will guide you in teaching resume tips.

Start by defining or describing a resume. Most people know that a resume is something similar to a job application, but imparting a better understanding is the right place to start. Simply put, a resume is a snapshot of an individual at a particular moment in time. Like a photograph, it tells a lot, but not everything, about the individual.

What's the purpose of the resume? The most common answer you will receive when asking this question is "to get a job." Wrong. The purpose is to get an interview. Companies don't hire resumes. They hire people. Let this purpose guide you.

Whether you are helping someone write a resume or contracting to write it for them, you should work together to emphasize "who they are" throughout the resume. The intent here is to keep the focus on the individual (job applicant). "What" they have accomplished is more important than "where" they accomplished it. Many resumes read like an advertisement for a company (previous employer) and the focus quickly shifts away from the individual.

Create substance and eliminate fluff. Review online job postings and job descriptions to learn how to better communicate skills, abilities and qualifications. Use current terminology. Key words on the resume that match the job posting will quickly catch the recruiter's attention.

Don't get cute. Remember this isn't a craft project, it's a business document. No need for bright colored paper or glued on objects. Any non-traditional attempts to stand out often result in quick elimination from the recruitment process.

Consistency is the key. Formatting (fonts, margins, headings, bullet points) should be consistent throughout the document. Most recruiters will only take a quick pass at resume during the initial review stage. Information that proves the qualifications of the applicant should jump out and be easy to locate.

Be selective and strategic with the sections and the placement or order of these sections. A recent graduate who has no experience in the studied field should place their education section before their experience section. Prioritize the sections in the manner that is the most favorable for the individual.