Applying for a job is like dating, except employment lacks the essential part of relationships that makes people want to date (Well, legally). But the essentials remain the same: You spend energy, money and precious time crafting an image that reflects your best side in the hopes that someone will take pity on you and hire (date) you.

Why should you write a resume? Simply put, no one will hire you if you don’t. It also helps to summarize your experience and knowledge to potential employers, making a good first impression that will help in your quest for an internship or job.

Before freaking out because this is, like, your only chance at your dream job at Newsweek or Goldman Sachs, take a deep breath and a big step back. A resume is a chance to present yourself in a cohesive package, and the time you spend worrying is better spent perfecting.

“There can be absolutely zero errors. If a student submits a resume and there are errors, that is absolutely unforgiveable,” said Dianne Siekmann, the Associate Director of Career Services. Employers give no grace room just because the applicant is a student. Make sure not to rush this task: Spend time looking over and spell-checking your completed resume. No international standard resume format exists, but here are a few basic rules I picked up from Siekmann and Career Services:

• Put relevant information near the top of the resume. Employers rarely have time to read the entire resume, Siekmann said, so mention applicable experience early. For example, if you are applying for a position at a public relations firm, your tenure as president of the Public Relations Club in high school is relevant and should be placed prominently.
• Contact details should be at the top of the page. Include your name, address (both current and permanent), telephone number, e-mail address and Web site (if you have one, you enterprising student, you).
• Clearly state your objective. What type of work do you want? What skills can you offer? Make sure the objective isn’t focused on you, but instead focuses on the work you would like to do.
• Education information, including honors and awards from the university as well as prominent or national high school honors, should immediately follow the objective. List institutions in reverse chronological order, including your type of degree, the name and location of your school, your major and your expected graduation date. Make sure to include your GPA. If you have studied abroad, you should mention it here.
• Work experience should also be listed in reverse chronological order, including title, employer, location and the dates you were employed. Focus this information on how it relates to your desired position.
• Identify any skills or languages you may have, not including Pig Latin or your remarkable ability to shotgun 12 beers in five minutes. Any special computer experience should also be mentioned, especially if it relates to your chosen field. For languages, note your fluency.
• This is not a personals ad. There is no need — nor is it appropriate — to provide a physical description or photo. Nor should you state your religion, ethnicity, national origin or other personal factors that could inadvertently lead to discrimination. It is also unnecessary to go into extensive detail about unrelated skills or hobbies; the employer does not need to know the specifics of your eight years of martial arts training.
• Mention any activities you are involved with on-campus or off-campus, including your title within the organization. Emphasize the skills you acquired from your positions.

Perhaps most importantly, every aspect of your resume should focus on what you can provide for the company. How would your skills help the business and the other workers?

“You want to say it in such detail that the employer can picture you doing that particular job,” Siekmann said. “If they can, they can see the skills and abilities that you have, and it really paints a clear picture.”

If you’re still worried about your resume, Undergraduate Career Services’ Web site offers specific tips on layout and organization, and offers free walk-in resume editing services from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 620 Lincoln.