Results

• When developing your resume, focus on results, not duties. According to John Grobe, president of Federal Career Experts, the biggest mistake you can make on your resume is to list responsibilities or duties rather than results. Informing the reader what you did at your last job does not reveal how well you performed; for instance, if you delivered a project on time and under budget, list how much time and money you saved the company.
  
  

Soft Skills

• The term "soft skills" refers to your personal qualities, communication skills, habits and how well you negotiate with difficult people. According to According to Kate Lorenz, an editor with CareerBuilder, soft skills are a good indicator of job performance and should be emphasized as equally as hard, job-specific skills. Some of the more common soft skills hiring managers look for include: Positive attitude, work ethic and time management. If you are a team player who exudes confidence and are able and willing to accept constructive criticism, emphasize these soft skills on your resume as well.
  
  

Past Jobs in Chronological Order

• The quickest portion of the resume to write is typically the list of your past jobs, which should be formatted in chronological order. This format is easy to scan and is widely accepted by hiring organizations. Your current or most recent job should receive the most emphasis, then you work backwards to list your complete career history. If you have a long career with more than 20 years of experience, Western Polytechnic Institute suggests that you list up to 20 years of experience in the chronological listing, then include a summary at the bottom of the resume for further career notes.
  
  

Education

• Depending upon the type of resume you write, your education section may fit best at the beginning or ending of the document. If you are a recent graduate, Best Resume Samples suggests that it be placed at the top of your resume if you have no work experience. Format your degrees with the year you graduated and the name of the school, beginning with the most recent degree. Mention the year you received your degree. If you have special honors and awards, include it in the education section. If you have further coursework that is applicable to the job, write a short description to highlight your knowledge. If you have more than three awards, list them at the end of the resume under "Honors and Awards."