Resume writing is an important part of the application process. A well-written resume can engage a potential employer's interest. Making sure your listed skills are relevant and unique can ensure that your resume is at the top of the pile. Tailoring your resume-writing to the position for which you are applying can show your employer that you are a sharp individual who is ready to meet specific needs.

Design
Choose a design that calls attention to your attention to detail. Looks do matter, particularly because a resume often precedes an interview and it is the first introduction your potential employer will have to you. While there are specific components your resume should include--like job history and credentials--as well as a recommended order of placement, there is still a great deal of freedom with regard to design. Choose something that represents who you are.

Wording
It is important to choose specific and accessible wording for your resume. You want your potential employer to fully understand all of your experience and qualifications. However, specificity and accessibility does not exclude creative representation of your assets. For instance, if you are a college student who recently completed an internship describe what you did. If you were a research assistant, write out the research you conducted. Leave out any words that might mitigate the importance of your position. Be honest, but promote yourself.

Skills
Include a "skills" section on your resume, and get creative about what you consider a skill and how your represent it. Everything you've done thus far, as well as every experience you've had, has contributed to your personal skill set. If you worked as a landscaper during the summer in college, including that experience for a professional job may not be useful, but listing that experience under your skills section might be. For instance, you probably know how to work hard in the face of multiple difficulties. Find a way to package that information as a digestible skill that your potential employer will appreciate.

Write Your Resume to Fit the Job
If possible, always write a resume for a specific job. While it's a good idea to have a basic resume with all of your information, tailoring this to the job for which you are applying can work wonders. Do not mention the specific job in the resume, but do make sure your job history, qualifications and skill set align with the position for which you are submitting the resume.