Your resume is probably the first impression an employer gets of you and can determine if you get your foot in the door or not. It should start with: 1. Name, address, phone number, e-mail 2. Objective - what are you trying to accomplish 3. Summary of experience It should also use key words. Mirroring the job request is a rule of thumb. Some of the larger companies use optical scanners to filter through the first round. So your resume may not even be read if you don't utilize the appropriate key words. Another source you can go to to find industry specific keywords is: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/agencyinfo/industrykeywords.shtm