An effective resume is not so much about your qualifications as it is about what you make of them. Even if you lack formal education or work experience, there are still many legal tricks you can use to fill in the blanks. With a little bit of work, you can turn a basic, run-of-the-mill resume into one that stands out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• The first clear sign of a weak resume is too much white space. Do not use extra wide margins or double space your paragraphs. It could look like you’re trying to make up for lack of anything interesting to write.
• Do not get overly creative or use ten different font sizes or types. Stay away from graphics, photos and fancy borders --They are distracting and scream "amateur."
• Correct spelling and good grammar are a must. Typos send the signal that you don’t care enough about the job to take the time to proofread your own work.
• Do not include personal information such as age, hobbies, or social activities unless you are applying for a job that requires it.

Need to Improve Your Resume?

Think Long Distance: Online Courses and Tests

If you don’t have the time or money to go back to school, log on. A quick online search will bring up hundreds of workshops, quick courses and online certifications. Here are two good examples.

• www.suite101.com/suiteu - Suite University offers over 400 courses, including selections in business, economics, publishing, computers & technology, education, and health sciences. Courses last 2 to 4 weeks. Some are instructor-led while others give you the freedom to complete them at your own pace. Not all courses offer certificates, though, so make sure that you check before enrolling. Examples that would look good in a resume include: Scientific and Tech Communications ($29.95), Grant Research and Writing ($29.95), and Community Development ($39.99).
• www.brainbench.com – If you know a subject well but don’t have a certificate to prove it, look into Brainbench, the leading online test provider. No courses or workshops here, just tests. With over 600 available subjects, you are sure to find something that fits your needs. Most tests are $49.95 and include a hardcopy certificate. Once you create an account and buy the test, you will have 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete it. Some great-sounding certificates to have: Health Care Risk Management Administration, Financial Accounting, Executive Marketing Strategies, and Software Configuration Management.

No Need to Do it Yourself: Free online resume templates

Forget about losing sleep over the design of your resume. Just download a first-rate one from the internet.

• www.collegegrad.com – Has a list of 180 resume templates for over 30 different majors, from Art to Marketing. Just click on the one you want and download. Even if you don’t have a Bachelor’s Degree, the resumes can be easily modified to fit your needs.
• office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/default.aspx - If you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, you can gain instant access to hundreds of online templates free of charge. Resume templates that can be downloaded and modified include basic (chronological, functional), job-specific, and situation-specific (various careers, return to work force, etc.).

Make them Listen: How to establish yourself as an expert

The key to creating a name for yourself is in knowing how to market your expertise. Below are some activities to consider, plus a sample sentence showing how you can incorporate the experience in your resume.

• Public seminars. Put together a list of topics and then contact local organizations, non-profit groups, and community colleges to offer a lecture. Get media coverage by sending press releases to local newspapers and cable TV channels. Example: As a public speaker, I single-handedly conceptualized, developed, and presented a two-hour workshop called “The Art of Money Management.”
• Join the local Chamber of Commerce. This will identify you as a legitimate business person and will open doors to publication markets, seminars, and marketing. Example: As an active member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, I am involved in decision-making forums and community projects.

Share What You Know: Get Published!

• Publication credits can highlight any resume. The secret lies in writing what you know best --If you have been working in customer service, write an article about dealing with difficult customers. If you are an expert in computer systems, write about it. Be clear and concise and don’t editorialize.
• Locate trade journals or contact your local newspaper and offer to write a column for it. Even your alumni newsletter can prove a good venue to get started.
• If you have a hard time finding a home for your articles, consider issuing your own newsletter. A single 8 ½ by 11 sheet of paper can be formatted and printed with a home computer and later distributed to local business and organizations.

Impress Them: Honors and Awards

If you can do something particularly well, participate in contests. Even a minor award speaks volumes about your qualifications. Create a special section in your resume to mention any awards or recognitions. If you don’t place in the top ten, avoid mentioning your exact position. Example: Winner of a Great Seattle Community Award for Public Speaking.

Be Nice: Volunteer opportunities may look better in a resume than a paying job

• Searching for a job in education or community development but don’t have any previous experience? Volunteer at the local library. Many branches offer ESL or literacy tutoring, take library aides or organize community events run completely by volunteers. Example: As an ESL Tutor, my responsibilities encompassed curriculum development, creating lesson plans, preparing monthly reports, and coordinating the workflow in two different programs.
• Not what you need? Look for other opportunities. Offer to write a newsletter for the local animal shelter or lend a hand with accounting duties at a community center. Anything is possible if you use the right approach.

Rewrite Over and Over Again

Always spend a few minutes rewriting your resume to adapt it to the position you’re applying for. A few personalized details show that you’ve taken the time to research the company and put you in advantage over mass-mailed resumes.