A Resume Checklist: 13 Things to Do Before You Apply for the Job

Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing. Featuring an excerpt from 'Step-by-Step Resumes' by Evelyn Salvador.

When writing the first draft of your resume, you probably know it could be -- and should be -- stronger than it is. If you're like many job seekers, though, you might feel pretty mystified as to which specific steps will lead you to more powerful content and a more attractive design.

Fortunately, boosting a bland resume or simply polishing it before applying for a job isn't as cumbersome as you might expect. According to Evelyn Salvador, author of 'Step-by-Step Resumes,' there are many simple, yet effective, tricks that can significantly strengthen your resume's readability, call to action, marketability and overall appearance.