One of the most important tips you can use during the job search process is to never underestimate the power of a good resume. Hiring managers who review dozens of resumes on a daily basis only take a few moments to read each one, so it's important to write a resume that gets the reader's attention immediately. While your resume should be tailored specifically to your background and occupation, there is a standard format you can follow to draft a professional-looking document. The traditional resume format starts with contact information. List your full name, address, phone number and email address. If you don't already have a professional email address, get one before you start sending out Job Applications. Putting a personal email addresses that contains an informal nickname can send a red flag that you are not a serious professional. While some people prefer to leave their contact information on the left side, moving it to the center of the page makes the document look more professional. The next main section should go over your educational background. You can put a sentence or two that describe your objective above the education section, but it's not necessary. You can insert it into your draft later if you have extra space. If you are a recent college graduate or are trying to get an internship, your education section should include your grade point average. After going over your academic background, you can start working on your work history section. List all of your previous employers in order. Underneath each position, briefly go over the tasks that you were responsible for on a daily basis. The next few sections can vary from one resume to another depending on the profession and the applicant's background. Most resume formats include separate sections for special achievements, skills and qualifications. While all resumes need to include education and work history, the rest of your resume format should be relevant to your occupation and background. Include any details that can help you get an interview, but don't overdo it. Hiring managers understand that you can't possibly explain everything there is to know about your background and abilities on one sheet of paper. Remember to check for spelling and formatting mistakes before saving a final copy of your resume for later use.