Focus your writing efforts. Get clear what the employer is looking for and what you have to offer before you begin your resume. The whole idea is to loosen up your thinking enough so that you will be able to see some new connections between what you have done and what the employer is looking for. You need not confine yourself to work-related accomplishments. The point is to cover all possible ways of thinking about and communicating what you do well. What are the talents you bring to the market place? What do you have to offer the prospective employer? If you are making a career change or are a young person and new to the job market, you are going to have to be especially creative in getting across what makes you stand out. One important part of the planning process is to decide which resume format fits your needs best. Don't automatically assume that a traditional format will work best for you.