Before the writing block hits, arm yourself the ultimate materials checklist to set yourself up for success before resume writing begins.

Two words that frustrate when it comes to resume writing? “It depends.” Cue the collective sigh.

It's the common answer to many resume writing questions, because well… It does! On what? Your work experience, the job you want, your unique blend of skills, market obstacles and the list goes on.

While there isn’t an official rule book, there are modern resume writing principles to follow that'll fish your resume out of the aughts and into the present day to open the door to your next opportunity. Here are 11 must-have elements for a high-performing resume and how to defeat the frenemy duo of blinking cursor and blank page.

Going nowhere is a hard, worn-out road.

It’s lonely even though companions fear and shame are bumping up next to you each day. “You should have landed already” and “You don’t know what you’re doing” drum in your head like a marching beat.

The map to reach your career goals? It’s confusing. You find yourself turning it every which way to make sense of it. And your not-so-encouraging buddies are no help in the matter either.

And you thirst. Oh, you thirst to take the right step in the right direction at the right time.

Tired career sojourner: If your resume and job search are wearing you down, take heart! Prioritize your path and master the resume edits you need to go from lackluster to landed.

The small, red magnifying glass. Do you remember it?

The anticipation as the glass hovered over the marbled red and white paper spinner to reveal whodunit. It's where revolver and rope murder mysteries were laid to rest in living rooms across the U.S. in the nineties.

Keep your spyglass out because you aren't too old for the real-world Clue Junior in your job search just yet. The investigative skill you need to sweet talk employers in your career documents is the same sleuthing prowess you employed in the childhood mystery game.

Let’s face it. Black and white in our colorful digital age is boring, basic and blah. We live in a visual world with our eyes as the primary portal for our experiences.

Color not only impacts interest but memory and attention as well, according to recent research. Color ads, for example, gain 42% more readership than black and white counterparts. And color increases brand recognition by 80%.

The same is true for your resume. Today, career documents are read on digital devices rather than heavy-weight paper. So, it is important to not only nail your content but the viewer experience as well.

Career advancement isn’t always up the ladder. Expand your impact on a board of directors.

16.9% of corporate board seats are held by women globally, according to Deloitte’s Women in the Board Room Report, 6th edition, with 2,987 women having a seat at the table in the United States.

Yep, you guessed it. Your voice (and skills) are needed in the boardroom. Equip yourself with the tools you need to nab your seat, including a tailored board resume.

Is your resume showing any signs of life? Are the digital vital signs weak lacking color, vitality and verve? Pump up the pulse with (resume) CPR.