Resume Overview

Here are a few pointers that every resume should include:

Put your name at the top, center, in bold. This can be larger than the rest of the text.
Include a current address, phone number, and email.
The final line of your resume, centered and italics can read Reference Available Upon Request.
Generally, you should include an Objective Statement.

Here are a few things that resumes should not include:

Racial or religious information: unless it directly applies to the job for which you are applying, leave it out (for instance, Caribbean heritage might be an asset if you are applying to a job as a professor of African-American literature).
Age, birthdate, marital or family status: this is more common practice overseas, but not necessary or relevant in North America.

References: you can bring an extra page to the interview with your references.
Employer’s Addresses: you simply need to put your employer’s name, city, and sometimes state or province if you are applying to a difference city.
Mentions of Money: do not address your salary or wage in either your cover letter or your resume.
Extras: avoid extra words and extra sentences. Don’t say “Focused on honing my various skills,” because you will need to clarify which skills you mean in further sentences. Sentences like this are redundant.