Resumé Tips

Although we may never know why we didn't get chosen for a job interview, a recent study is shedding some light on recruiters' decision-making behavior. According to TheLadders research, recruiters spend an average of "six seconds before they make the initial 'fit or no fit' decision" on candidates.

It seems everyone has an opinion on what a résumé should contain, how many pages it should be and how it should be formatted. So as we enter into a new year, what are the universally agreed-upon elements that are in, and which ones are now passé? Here are some of the best practices when it comes to crafting your résumé in 2012:

Your résumé should communicate vital information to a potential employer, but how do you know if yours is up to par and will compete with other résumés?

In their new book, "Expert Résumés for Managers and Executives," authors Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark say that strict rules for writing résumés don't really exist, but that job seekers should consider some simple standards that most employers have come to expect. Here are some of their tips:

Years ago, when résumés were still sent to employers by mail, job seekers hoped details like a high-quality paper stock and unique, professional formatting would catch the eye of an employer. These days, things are a little different.