The average headhunter will tell you that their clients usually spend thirty seconds on most resumes, while culling the stack. Make yours stand out, and defensible.

1. Don't lie on your resume. It's not a novel. Mention skills you're capable of. Say "learning such and such" for everything else.

2. Be relevant. Don't list your parents' names and birthdays or your dog's breed.

3. Customize your resume. You may qualify to work in various industries. Tailor your resume accordingly for each.

4. Follow standard format. There are a variety of resume formats and you can probably follow any of them. New grads should emphasize education and grades first.

5. Make it easy to read. Even while following standard format, there are a number of ways you can make your resume easy to read including using bullet points or tables.

6. Be brief. One page for a a recent college graduate is sufficient.

7. Use the right terminology. Do use industry terms but don't be too academic with lingo.

8. Promote yourself. Your resume has to sell you. Write it using action words but without bragging. Be factual, with concrete details.

9. Have references ready. Have two or three references printed on a separate sheet of paper and only provide them when asked for. Professors that know you well might be ideal candidates.

10. Indicate your interests. Depth of character is something interviewers look for.

11. Stick to the file format. If a company asks for your resume in a specific format and/or provided by a particular method of delivery, then comply.

12. Use a cover letter. These are specific to the job and company that you are applying to, so use a different one for each application. They should summarize in a few paragraphs your objective, strengths, and relevant interests.

13. Proofread. Don't waste your entire effort by sending out resumes and cover letters only to find that it appears a monkey wrote them. Use a spell checker and grammar checker.

14. Print quality. Use quality white or light tan paper for printed resumes and cover letters. Don't use gimmicks like colored or scented paper. Stapling is not recommended, but at least keep your cover letter separate.