Resumes are vital tools in any job search because they represent the first thing an employer sees regarding a potential employee. Resumes are your chance to put your best foot forward with a neat and detailed list of your qualifications and previous work experience. Many people are unfamiliar with how to format their resume and what information is most important to include in it. There are many possible details you can choose to list when discussing qualifications.

Work History

Your previous work experience can greatly benefit you as a resume qualification if you have any experience that is in any way similar to the job you are applying for. This demonstrates that you have done well in a similar work environment in the past, and also that you could require less training than other candidates. You can also draw parallels between the positions if they are not immediately obvious. When applying for an account management position, for example, a former hostess can use her restaurant experience to show that she has customer service skills.

Education

Your educational background is vital to include in any list of resume qualifications because that is likely to be one of the first questions asked in any job interview. If you have a college degree, even if it is in a field completely unrelated to the job you're applying for, you have an advantage because the degree shows a level of responsibility, intelligence and commitment that impresses managers and bosses. If your degree is in the same field, it certainly needs to be highlighted because it can separate you from other applicants and put you on a short list of potential hires.

Skill Set

Your individual skills that apply to the job at hand need to be mentioned, because they are not necessarily obvious from other work and education listings on your resume. If you are applying for a job in a highly ethnic area and you are bilingual, you already have a skill that is beneficial to the job and should make that clear on your resume.