Here are 50 key essentials for resume writing:

1. A resume should deliver a professional, polished, and positive feel.
2. Write with substance and good depth.
3. Show potential employers what you can do for them.
4. Check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
5. Proofread before sending the final copy.
6. Use only resume-friendly fonts like Verdana, Garamond, or Times New Roman.
7. Use maximum font size of 12pt and minimum of 10pt.
8. Ensure visual appeal and consistency.
9. The content quality should be good and in perfect flow.
10. Don’t use much of bold, italics, and other styles of formatting.
11. Do not include salary expectations in the resume.
12. Keep in mind that you are marketing yourself through the resume.
13. Never play smart with fake statements and false stories.
14. Decide well in advance which format to use – chronological, functional, or combination.
15. Each specific job position can have different format and structure.
16. Avoid using pronouns and flowery language.
17. Create a rough sketch of your basic information.
18. Take into account the relevance of each job position and then decide what to put and what to chuck out.
19. Crosscheck all the relevant and irrelevant information.
20. In the final copy begin with your name and complete contact details.
21. Ensure to put in all your contact numbers, your complete address, and your email.
22. Avoid giving any personal details like your date of birth and marital status.
23. Create an impressive resume title.
24. Write a concise yet expressive objective.
25. Objective should offer a brief on what you can give to the company and what your future goals are.
26. Objectives can also be quantified with supportive skills and strengths.
27. Include the professional synopsis.
28. For each job position write as much as detail you can write.
29. Emphasize job titles in bold letters.
30. Highlight your important duties in bullet or numbering system.
31. Check the relevance of each role in accordance to the applied job position.
32. Don’t mention anything that is irrelevant.
33. Use simple declarative sentences and strong verbs.
34. Wherever possible use keywords.
35. Accomplishments play a significant role.
36. Emphasize on important duties, achievements, honors, and awards.
37. Brief on your special strategies and methods you follow to attain success.
38. Add numbers and ranks wherever possible.
39. List and assess your educational background.
40. List details of your degree or diploma earned covering the year of completion and the name of university as well as the institute.
41. List relevant coursework or certifications achieved in the job context.
42. List your interest and hobbies that positively reflect your key skills and strength.
43. Mention your extra-curricular activities or any kind of volunteer experience.
44. Mention any paid experience or summer jobs done to demonstrate your special skills.
45. Create a summary of skills. It is optional but beneficial.
46. List your interpersonal skills, communication skills, and key strengths.
47. Computer proficiency is equally important.
48. List all the software, programming language, and applications you know.
49. List different language that you are well-versed in with your level of ability.
50. Keep your resume well-balanced in all ways.

To know more on specific resume types, check Entry Level Resumes .