h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here is excerpt from a mail I wrote to my younger brother during his campus placement days.
Your resume is the first impression and generally primary criteria for short listing suitable candidates. While writing your resume, always remember what recruiters are interested in. Recruiter simply wants to know whether you are qualified to do the job you are applying and if you are, then how to contact you.
First thing first, On top of the first page write your name in big and bold letters on left hand side and right hand side your address and other contact details like phone number, e-mail ID, fax number. (at least that is what I prefer as a recruiter!)

It is a good idea to start your resume with the objective, here you can use some impressive lines to show your creativity, for example; "Wish to work with an esteemed organisation to contribute and to keep my learning curve growing."
Objective is optional and should not run into paragraphs just a line or two are good enough.
Then comes your experience; start with your current or latest job (or in some cases if you are switching the area you are currently in, the job which is relevant.) write working as *designation* with *company name* since *month and year of joining* till * month and year you left*
Write a line or two about your roles and responsibilities in the job you mentioned, here you can use key words, which the recruiter is looking for like; handling performance appraisal in my department, employee grievance handling, coordination with other departments on day to day basis for… you can also mention projects undertaken.
If you are applying for your first job then give preference to you qualification and do mention summer jobs/ trainings/ projects undertaken.

Then comes your academic qualification; again start with your latest degree;
Write qualification, name of the institute/ University, year of passing, your performance (optional if it was average or below average)

Mention computer literacy separately, this way you can write other things you know about computer which are not relevant in your current/ previous jobs like, knowledge of computer networking or learnt Java language.

Then write about your extra curricular activities and hobbies; mention social work, NCC/ Scouting, whatever you do which makes you a versatile person.
You may have various hobbies but highlight those which are more suitable for the job you are applying like, if you are applying for marketing job then pen paling or travelling/ visiting new places are worth mentioning.

Finally write personal details like your date of birth, marital status (optional)

Remember your resume should not be more than two pages. If you think two pages are too limiting remove unwanted data like, no one is interested in your grade in high school or senior secondary school if that is not your latest qualification.

While applying you can add a cover page addressing to recruiter and mentioning why do you think you are suitable for the job and about your key strengths.

If you are a software engineer or scientist, and handled many projects, it is worth adding Synopsis of projects undertaken separately; in that case mention projects in your main resume and add details of all the significant projects as annexure ( remember generally HR personnel are not technical personnel.)
Do not send same resume of yours to all the companies, make changes accordingly. Say if you are applying for an HR job in a software company, emphasis on your knowledge of software.

Remember in most cases your interview is going to be based on what you write in your resume; never give any false information.

Hope this helps