I was also told by a (brain fart those guys that help you get jobs) that resumes nowadays you don't really want to list your job history and what you did on those jobs. That is your application. You don't want your resume to basically be a rewritten application.
You want your resume to be tailored to the job you are applying for.
So
Name
Contact info
Objective
Professional Summary
Areas of Expertise (this would be skills tailored to the job you are applying for, include special training and certificates if applicable)
Work experience (should only include work that is applicable to job you are applying for and should not have so much info that their eyes glaze over.
Education
Keep it to one page. Don't include references unless the application specifically requests them then put them on a separate page. I wouldn't go too far with pretty graphics and colors. I think simple is best and professional looking unless you are applying for some sort of design job where it will show off your skills. Subtle colors I feel are appropriate.
This give a guide on formatting but disregard what it says about showing work history first. Potential employers care more about what your are bringing to the table then what you have doe in the past (ie skills)
(you need an account to see links)
Also in your cover letter when you write about why you want the job talk about what You would do for their company, not what their company would do for you. Don't write stuff like "I feel like this is a place where I feel like I can advance" just about everyone writes things like that. write things like "I believe that my skills as you will see on my attached resume will aid the company in reaching its (goal here) more efficiently. " Or something like that.
Add in some sentences to show that you have done your homework on the company. Even if the job is something like bar-tending a resume like this will definitely impress whoever is reading it I guarantee it
Edit: Oh and your cover letter should only be a paragraph or two with two or three sentences, not a novel either. You want to catch their attention and perhaps list a few skills that are applicable. You cover letter is the bait to entice them to read your resume. Not your life story. They are going through a shit ton of applications. Respect their time and keep shit brief. If they see a giangantic novel of a cover letter then they will go TL: DR and most likely toss the whole thing to the side.