How to write a resume is a question that taxes many of us when applying for a job interview.

Should I pay someone to do it for me, or should I do it myself ? The truth is, nobody knows you better than yourself; and even if you don't know where to begin, you can learn.

If you have a resume already, you may be able to update it.

If not, consider getting good advice and help writing a resume that will save you time and frustration. Most of us do not have an up to date resume ready at all times, and are not experts at creating them.

Writing a decent resume isn't about writing the Great American Novel. True, it is the first impression a potential employer will receive of you, and it can essentially be considered your calling card, so you want it to be the best it can be, to land the job you're applying for.

Despite the formalities associated with resume writing, the format can be broken down into a few simple elements that, when examined closely, will make you wonder why you were so apprehensive about the process in the first place.

But if you are not sure exactly how to approach writing a resume, get some help.

You usually only have one opportunity to make an impression so don't blow with a resume that looks amateurish. There are plenty of good products that can help you write a resume.

One of the first things you can do for your resume is limit the length to one page, so as to hold the attention of your potential employer. In our fast paced world, attention spans are short, and you don't want anyone growing bored with a resume that stretches on and on.

Begin with the most simple part - the heading. At the top of your page, you should clearly indicate your name. Below your name should be your address and contact information, namely your telephone number and e-mail address. Make it clear where an employer can reach you, otherwise you'll never get that call for a job interview.

After getting the header right, the task of writing a resume becomes harder, as you've reached the point where you need to indicate your objective - namely the position you're applying for. Be sure to use the exact words that your potential employer used in his employment offer for the desired position, so that there's no mistake what you're aiming for.

Don't put your objective as just being money or other tactless things. You want to maintain your professional appearance at all times. After stating your objective and for the remainder of your resume, you'll want to present each bit of information in a bullet-point form; a short but concise sentence that imparts all the information you want to mention in one to three lines.

The third part is your work history, where you list your past jobs and any major achievements you accomplished while employed at various businesses. If you're new to the job market, you'll probably want to include as much as possible.

In general though, if you can't fit the entire resume on a single page, start cutting items from this section and focus on previous employment experience with the most relevance to the position you're applying for.

You don't have to limit this section entirely to employment though. Volunteer work, business ownership, independent sale of your work, and other experiences showcasing your abilities can be listed in this section.

The final phase of a resume that needs to be done before handing it out to potential employers is having the text edited for errors or mistakes. Typos happen, but you want to be the one catching them, not someone who might be reading your application.

You can always pay someone to correct your text or have someone you know look your resume over.

Remember to create a resume that will show you in the best light, and that will get read. Know how to format your resume so that it will impress.

Once you're sure your resume is perfect, all you have to do is start handing it out and land that job!