Creating a resume is like riding a bicycle: Once you learn how, you never forget. But if you do it wrong, you'll still fall on your butt.

So here are some tips for putting the pedal to your mettle:

Try a little shortening. One page is plenty. Make it two only if you have a superstar background or the employer wants you to be long-winded. Make it longer than two pages only if you invented fire.

To find good resume styles, go to any Internet search engine and type “resume sample,” or check out a resume book from your local library. Find one that suits your background and skills.

Know its purpose. Resumes get your foot in the door - or get the door slammed in your face. By themselves, they don’t get you hired. So don’t put in anything that might reduce your chances for an interview, such as criticism of past employers.

Sculpt it. “One size fits all” resumes don’t cut it. Tailor them to the jobs, emphasizing the most relevant experience. If the typical person who would get the job is 35 years old, don't include more than 15 years of your job history. Age discrimination is very common, legal or not.

If you’re responding to an advertisement, use the same keywords that are in the ad, in case the employer screens resumes electronically.

Sweat the details. Point to sales figures or awards or promotions rather than using generalities to describe how wonderful you are. All job hunters think they're God’s gift to the world. Use facts to make your case.

The eyes have it. Show the resume to people you trust for proofreading and feedback. Have one friend look at it for 10 seconds, then take it away. What did he notice during that time? Was it what you wanted? Would it get you an interview?

Don’t delay. Finish the resume in a couple of hours. Not days, not weeks, not months, not decades. Don’t use it as an excuse to procrastinate.

Complete the package. Include a good cover letter, then follow up with a phone call. Even the best resumes can rarely stand alone.