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How many times have you found yourself in the midst of writing your resume when you realized that there were some questions you simply had to have answered before you could move forward? Everyone has probably been in this predicament at least once during a resume-writing experience.

Of course, there are some questions that are more frequently asked than others. So before you put your fingers back on the keyboard, let’s take a moment to explore some of the more commonly asked questions regarding resumes.

How Do I Write a Great Objective?

For many, the objective is the most abstract and challenging portion of the resume to write. You may find yourself asking questions like “what does the employer want to know?” and “how can I describe myself in just one sentence?” during the process. But don’t let these issues deter you from continuing on, because in actuality, it is not hard to create a succinct objective that will entice the employer to read on.

First, take note that objectives can be more than one sentence long. Depending on your level of experience, you may want to include up to three sentences describing who you are and what career plans you have that fall neatly in line with the employer’s goals. Within the 1-3 sentences, you want to express your strengths, abilities and qualifications in your field, and how they match the specific employer’s goals. However, try to avoid using the word “I” in this section as it creates a self-centered image, something that can quickly result in your resume hitting the bottom of the stack.

What if I Haven’t Worked in a While?

If you haven’t worked for several years, or even several months, you may feel a little bit nervous about explaining your employment gap. But don’t worry; if you truly feel you’re qualified for the job, you can express this in a number of ways.

One is by using a functional resume style (as opposed to chronological) that focuses less on timelines and more on skills. Also, you can roll up all of your non-work experience, including volunteering, community involvement, consulting, or even your continuing education, to highlight the skills you’ve acquired over the years. If your gaps are a little smaller, you can make them less obvious by not noting months on your resume. In the end, you want to showcase your knowledge of industry trends, so be creative in explaining how this knowledge can enhance the position you’re applying for.

Should I Include References?

Typically, the rule for references is this: if they don’t ask for them, don’t provide them. However, if they do it’s a good idea to create a separate sheet just for them. On that sheet, you can include the references’ names, phone numbers, and their locations, as well as your personal/professional relationships. But before you add references be sure to contact them so they are prepared to offer information about you.

Writing a resume can be an exciting process if you remember that your hard work can result in a great job. So take the time to ask more questions about the writing process. You’ll find that the more you ask, the more likely you are to create a standout resume that may just secure the job you want.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information. Compare the top resume writing services in the industry at http://www.resumelines.com

Tips for creating a stand-out resume

Employers are likely to spend only about 10 to 20 seconds on the initial pass and your objective is to capture their attention while encouraging a more in-depth reading.

Wording, style, font and headers can make or break a resume. It’s important to determine the design of your resume and use white space to your advantage. In fact, if you are at a mid-career level, a two-page resume is most common and executives, or those at highly experienced levels, may find a two- or three-page resume is appropriate, depending upon your history and goals.

The idea is that you need not be concerned about keeping your resume to one page. It is more important that you present your most relevant qualifications and strengths in a clear and concise manner that maximizes the impact.

I have three tips for every resume writer:

1. Use the correct format, most employers prefer you list jobs in chronological order. Most do not have time to read through every resume and most of us have a hunch that if the resume is in a different format, such as functional, the candidate could be hiding something, such as poor job tenure.

2. Use quantifiable accomplishments such as revenue earned, money or budget savings, cost cuts, or time saved. This information will get you noticed.

3. Use keywords carefully. When reading over hundreds of resumes, recruiters are looking for those keywords. Before you submit your resume, check out the job posting and make sure your keywords mirror their posting. Some recruiters use a candidate-tracking database that sorts by keywords. If you don’t use the ones they use, you’ll be sorted out.

There are three formats of resumes: chronological, functional, and combination.

A chronological format emphasizes professional experience; however, it is best if a chronological resume utilizes a focused summary of qualifications that quickly conveys essential skills to an employer. This provides an opportunity to immediately capture attention through keywords, which makes a strong first impression during the critical 15-second initial screening.

Functional resumes present qualifications related to targeted positions. They focus on skills and qualifications only. Work history is indicated in a simple list at the bottom of the resume.

The combination format may be the best choice when your most recent work history lacks a direct correlation to your current employment objectives, or you are a new graduate. By demonstrating your relevant skills, education, training, and accomplishments through functional headings the connection between your abilities and the targeted position will be clear.

Keywords and phrases are essential today for computer and human screening. Analyze job descriptions and your industry prior to developing your keywords and phrases, and appropriately include these throughout your documents.

Do not include interests or hobbies unless they relate to the industry or position. Don’t include personal information such as date of birth, marital status, etc., unless you are targeting positions outside of the U.S. (If you are pursuing positions outside of the U.S., research the requirements specific to each country.)

If you want your resume to stand out and look professional, try a font that is different from the standard ones most people use. For example, the one most commonly seen on resumes is Times New Roman. If you try Georgia or Arial, it may help your resume look more up-to-date without looking too crazy. For example, don’t use Comic or Script type.

Bottom line: Be sure your resume sells you the best it can. Take time to make sure it reflects you and your experience.

About the Author: Bonnie is co-owner of Shore Staffing, Inc., a temporary staffing firm for nurses and other healthcare professionals in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Contact her at 410-957-2800 or bburke@shorestaffing.com.

When you’re job hunting, success has everything to do with numbers. The more potential employers have your resume in their hands, the greater the number of interviews you’ll be contacted about. And the greater the number of interviews you ace, the likelier you are to not only land a job, but also land one that you’ll love.

So how do you flood the market with your resume? Well, you could spend hours sifting through the classifieds and searching the Internet for possibilities. Or you could save yourself a lot of time and trouble and simply contact a resume distribution service. More and more today, recruiters and employment agencies are turning to resume distribution services to find suitable candidates for jobs in hundreds of industries. It’s easier, cheaper, and less time-consuming for recruiters to contact a distribution service, versus trying to hunt down potential employees on their own. And an audience with a large number of recruiters is exactly what you need to nail down a new job quickly.

How it works

If you’ve never used a resume distribution service before, it can seem daunting. But it’s really as easy as posting your resume once to those huge job boards–and far more effective. First, you create a profile and submit your resume online. Once you’ve confirmed that everything is correct and have paid your fee, your resume will be forwarded to recruiters who can help you find a job in your chosen area. You’re typically contacted directly by recruiters or companies to further discuss a job opening. If you haven’t gotten much response from your resume within a certain amount of time, some distribution services will even help you review and improve your resume.

Why use a resume distribution service instead of going it alone? Here are some benefits to consider:

1. You can pick your plan. Most resume distribution services have several tiers of benefits. For a set price, your resume will be given a certain amount of exposure. You can pick a package that fits your needs and budget. Some even provide resume targeting for military resumes or those searching for executive positions.

2. Location, location, location isn’t a problem. If you’re open to moving for your career, you obviously stand a better chance of landing your dream job. But if you live in Chicago, will you know if a perfect position opens up in Denver? With a resume distribution service, your resume can be sent all over the country, putting you in front of people who can consider you for hundreds–or even thousands–of great jobs. Likewise, if you want to stay in your current city or state, you can narrow your targets to only recruiters in your region.

3. Discover a variety of possibilities. You know what industry you’re interested in, right? For example, doesn’t it make sense to put your resume in front of marketing or advertising companies if you’re in marketing? Not necessarily. If you’re looking in the newspaper under “marketing,” you may miss a great opportunity with an arts studio or a medical practice in need of a marketing specialist because you’re not looking in the right place. But a distribution service is the convergence point for a broad array of industries looking for someone with your skills and talents.

4. You get a direct pipeline. If you post your resume on a job board, it’s floating out there waiting to be “clicked” by an employer. But a distribution service sends your resume directly to the inboxes of recruiters who want to see it. That direct pipeline considerably ups your odds of being contacted about a position that’s right for you.

Additional tips

* It’s important to choose your resume distribution service wisely. To ensure that your resume is received by people who are really interested in it, verify that your distribution service sends your resume only to recruiters who’ve signed up with their site. After all, if it’s simply being mass-emailed to recruiters who will delete your resume as “spam,” you’re not getting any value for your money.

* Your resume itself is the final variable in this job-hunting puzzle. Remember to pay attention to the quality of the resume you send to a distribution service. They may send it to hundreds of recruiters, but if it’s a lousy resume, you won’t get the response you’re hoping for.

About the Author
Jason Kay recommends you read reviews of resume distribution services at JobGoRound.com.

Is Your Resume Getting You The Interviews? by Paul Duxbury

A long time ago in a job far away I lost count of the number of Resumes that I have seen during my career in both learning and development and operational management! Increasingly the ease of analysis which Recruiters gained from the application form approach to recruiting is giving way to the” Return of The Resume” and you need to ensure that yours is getting you past that initial sifting of applications and securing an interview.

One Size Does Not Fit All!

The most well written resumes will tell the potential employer one thing: what you can do for them. Most resumes will give details about your work history, experiences, training, education and the like. But what makes the ordinary extraordinary is the resume that caters to the needs of the employer. You need to customize your resume to fit the needs of the company whose attention you are trying to grab. You want them to know that you are a team player whose skills and diverse experience will fit right in with their organization. Be creative! Keep in mind that for every available position, a company might receive over one hundred resumes.

Be Unique

If you have unique experience or skill sets, then highlight that. Diversity and adaptability are some of the most sought-after skills no matter what the industry. Include relevant facts and figures that are meaningful to your target employer. In this area, it helps to know some basic information about the company and the products and services they offer. You will also need to tailor your individual talents to entice the employer to give your resume a more in-depth look.

The idea is that once they take a closer look, they will become more intrigued and call you for an interview. Don’t forget to double check your spelling and grammar, as these types of mistakes will reflect poorly on you.

Dealing with Big Gaps in Your Resume

Is there a big gap in your resume? You can write your resume to downplay that period, or even turn it into an asset.

Generally, most employers will simply assume that you had difficulty finding a position if there is a gap in your resume of about three months or less. If you have only a short gap, you do not need to address it. However, if you have a longer period without employment on your resume, it is worth discussing.

If you had a specific reason that you were not taking part in the rat race, you may want to list in on your resume. You can rephrase it so that it seems like a job: if, for example, you took off a year to do volunteer work overseas, you can include it in your job history. There may be a reason that you don’t want to list a past employer, as well. You may simply choose to leave them off, or list the experience without the company name. Rather than focusing on the dates of your employment, you should consider structuring your resume to focus on your abilities. A traditional work history includes dates and employers. Instead, try listing out your skills and noting at which employer you used them underneath.

If there is a gap that you simply can’t address in your resume, you have an opportunity to explain the situation in your cover letter. While you do not want to make excuses, you may note the situation and offer a reason to satisfy an employer’s interest. While writing your cover letter, you may also be able to demonstrate the benefits of that time off. If you learned appropriate skills in that time period, you can discuss them.

Resume Lengths

There are horror stories in human resources departments about applicants turning in 11 page resumes, often for entry-level positions. It may sound like an urban legend, but applicants often start thinking in a very specific mindset: ‘If I list out everything I have ever done, the hiring manager will decide that I’m perfect for a job.’ Human resources managers recognize the fact that a single page resume can be a little short and cut off important information. However, the expectation is that a good candidate for a job can sum up his or her experience and that details can be discussed in an interview, after human resources has weeded out the applicants who are obviously unqualified.

Even if you feel that there are plenty of great things to say about your work history, get your resume down to a single page. If you’ve been in the work force for quite a while, it’s acceptable to fill a second page, but only then.

There are a few tricks to squeezing a few more words into your resume, if you just have to write down a few more skills. Some resume writers will reduce the font size or margins of a document, but such techniques are obvious. Instead, consider condensing job descriptions. You might also consider deviating from the traditional resume structure. Perhaps a list of your skills with explanations of related duties might better demonstrate your abilities than a list of the companies you worked with. While you should still include a list of your past employers, you can pare it down to company name and location, along with your job title. As long as a reader can still get a good understanding of your experiences by skimming over your resume, the format is unimportant.

There are a few occasions when you may want to offer up a more extensive work history, although requests for such a document may occur further into the application process than a simple call for resumes. A professor might offer one, for instance, or an individual seeking work with the government. Your resume is the first impression most hiring managers will have of you. Keeping to their expectations will predispose them to prefer your resume.

The Cover Letter Your Calling Card

Many job seekers wonder why a cover letter is necessary in the first place, and they often neglect it. So just what is the purpose of a cover letter? Well, a well written cover letter gives the reader a glimpse of your resume BEFORE it is read. It will also entice the reader to review the resume that follows instead of tossing it to the side.

Through your cover letter, the potential employer has an idea about your writing style, ideas, and what you can bring to the table. Your cover letter will introduce you and your intentions to the reader or potential employer. Remember that you don’t want your letter to be long or too wordy. After all, the idea is for them to actually read your resume. Short and sweet is the name of the game here. Keep it professional and sincere.

Resource Box

With over 25 years of operating at senior level in operational and human resource management Paul Duxbury knows what makes a difference for recruiters! Paul writes extensively on Career Development and Change and you can discover more at How To Write A Good Resume and at Career Advice.

8 New Weapons to Fight the Talent Wars in '08

The current uptick in skirmishes over IT talent might indicate that a full-scale war is heating up for '08. If so, the weapons this time will be different from those used in the last large dust-ups of the dot-com era. “We are seeing a war for talent, and it's been building up for the past three years,” states Dan Reynolds, CEO of The Brokers Group LLC, a Princeton, N.J.-based IT staffing firm.

The current demand for IT talent is being driven by a number of factors, including investments in new projects, a dramatic reduction in the number of IT grads from U.S. colleges and the first of the baby boomer retirements, he states. Whatever the causes, experts note that savvy CIOs, recruiters, headhunters and other hiring managers are trying out new or updated weapons to fight for IT talent. Here are eight that you might want to wield in the coming year.

1. Social Networks. Although recruiters and hiring managers continue to use job sites such as Monster.com and Yahoo HotJobs to advertise for open positions, the use of social networking sites such as LinkedIn is providing employers with “a superior quality pool of applicants,” says William Gomes, director of human resources at Intermedia Inc., a New York-based provider of hosted business e-mail services.

More '08 predictions By using social networks to identify potential employees, Intermedia is “getting a better ratio of qualified applicants” than it would from the throngs of resumes it might otherwise receive from job sites that don't hit the mark, states Gomes.

2. Wikis, Blogs and Forums. Companies are increasingly turning to on the internet communication tools to help engage potential IT employees and generate discussions with prospective new hires. The tools also help to “harmonize” values between employers and would-be employees, says JP Rangaswami, a managing director at BT Group PLC in London. BT Group has at least 70 bloggers, including Rangaswami, who says the company has found that, thanks to the blogs, IT workers “come to us because they've heard of us more and they know what we're doing,” he says.

3. Trying Before Buying. Instead of posting job ads in newspapers or through on the internet jobs services, employers are increasingly turning to other recruitment techniques, such as right-to-hire agreements. In these, an employer hires a professional contracting firm to do the recruiting for it. The employer concurs to hire qualified candidates for a few months with the option of offering them full-time employment later. “I've done this a few times with programmer/analysts,” says Joe Trentacosta, CIO at Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative in Hughesville, Md. The lure of health care and other benefits for permanent workers “plays a key role” in tipping the scales, he states.

4. Global Thinking. “Those who believe the search for [IT] talent is limited to the U.S. are badly mistaken,” says Bob Worrall, CIO at Sun Microsystems Inc. Smart companies think beyond national borders. For example, roughly half of Intermedia's 170-plus IT professionals work in its St. Petersburg, Russia, offices, says Gomes, and the company also finds employees in India and other non-U.S. locations.

5. The Anywhere Workplace. The concept of going to the office certainly hasn't disappeared altogether, but the “where” and “when” of IT work are undergoing some fundamental changes. “It used to be that you 'went' to work everyday, coded away and then went home,” states Worrall.

But today's twentysomethings expect to be able “to connect to work from a laptop on a train or at the beach,” he states. And employers are more prone to accommodate them — to a degree.

“We provide [IT] staff with flexible work hours and laptops, BlackBerries and other devices to help them do their jobs remotely,” says M. Lewis Temares, vice president and CIO at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. “But we still need them to be on campus at various times to support the university's services.”

6. Business Vision. “The tenor of the job announcement has changed,” states Robert Rosen, immediate past president of Share, a Chicago-based IBM users group, and CIO at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in Bethesda, Md. “There's much less emphasis on technical skills and more demand for people who can help add value to the business.” Of course, IT hiring managers remain hungry for people with strong technical capabilities, particularly hot development skills such as .Net, PHP and J2EE expertise. But it's even tougher to find IT professionals with business savvy or experience managing relationships with business units, says Craig Urrizola, CIO at Saladino's Inc., a Fresno, Calif.-based food distributor.

7. Pumped Up Paychecks. OK, this one isn't new. But as part of the whole supply-and-demand continuum, it's an old weapon that's back.

With fewer qualified IT professionals available, particularly in hot markets such as Silicon Valley, companies are doling out larger offers. For example, Intermedia's offers to new employees in the San Francisco Bay Area are 20% higher than they were a year ago, says Gomes.

8. Imagination. Compensation continues to be the biggest factor in the recruitment and retention of IT professionals, but perks such as the option of telecommuting, flexible work hours and opportunities to work for socially-conscious organizations are top-of-mind for many younger IT workers. And sometimes an imaginative approach can make the difference between snagging top talent and losing it to the massive bucks.

For instance, IT professionals who work at the National Aquarium in Baltimore typically earn 15% to 30% less than peers who work elsewhere in the city, states Hans Keller, chief technology officer at the aquarium. But he tries to offset that with other perks. One of his network engineers spent two weeks on a research trip on the Amazon River last January. Other perks are closer to home. “I have two people on my staff who dive into the tanks and feed stingrays each other month,” Keller says. “That's not a typical assignment for a systems developer.”

Objective: To write a compelling article to help resume writers capture the attention of potential employers using a great resume objective.

The objective is the first thing people will see when they read your resume. A good objective will be concise, upbeat, and grab the reader's attention.

Also, it needs to be tailored to each position you apply for. You need to tell the reader exactly why you want to work for them. If you want to write the perfect objective, here are some tips:

This is the place to describe the kind of job you're seeking. Keep the objective neutral. Don't talk about your own desires, but instead state what you can do for the company.

So instead of writing a statement like, “A position where I have the ability to use my skills and grow, etc.”, be more specific about the job itself. Instead, write something like, “A position as an administrative assistant in a professional office environment. When you write your objective, focus on the company and the position. Keep this in mind: What would the manager want in a new employee?

One title per resume! Don't write a laundry list of all the things you're willing to do. The resume objective is a place to answer a very specific question: “What kind of job do you want?”

Keep it short. The objective should be no more than one sentence. You might use two sentences as long as both are short and get straight to the point. However, a long objective will not be getting a lot of attention.

This isn't the place to angle for a promotion before you've already gotten this job! Everyone wants opportunities to advance, and everyone knows it. Don't say the obvious here. Telling them in your objective that you're hard-working and responsible in those words should be redundant. Hopefully this will show up in your skill and experience!

So if you write your resume objective from the point of view of an employer, and if you keep all these tips in mind, you'll be that much closer to the perfect job!

Trying to Write the Perfect Resume? Visit Make a Resume. We cover everything from How to Make a Resume to Free Resume Samples for Dental Jobs and each other position you can think of.

5 Steps for Surviving the Job Search Doldrums

It's a slow time of the year for job seekers. Security recruiters offer advice on using the down time to put your job search in shape for next year.

The period of time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is notoriously slow for job seekers. While some things speed up–perhaps your heart rate when trying to find a parking space at the mall–others, like lining up that interview for your dream security job, come to a screeching halt. During this month, companies are advertising fewer jobs, and employers aren't conducting as many interviews to fill positions. It's not just your imagination.

Many employers don't post jobs at the end of the year because they don't have the budget for a new hire, says Jeff Combs, practice lead of IT risk recruiting for executive recruitment firm Alta Associates. “If they're posting,” he states, “it's because they want to get a pipeline going into the new year, when they've a new budget”–but they still might be slow to respond to candidates who answer their job ads. Combs states that out of each 20 clients with job orders for a recruiter to fill, typically only four or five of them are serious about actually hiring someone between now and the end of the year.

Even companies that are serious about the hiring process might find it next to impossible to get the ball rolling on the interview process. “With the stress, [holiday] celebrations, and people not wanting to lose vacation time, it's difficult to get everyone mentally lined up for the interview process,” Combs says. Nevertheless, security job seekers can still take advantage of the hiring lull by using the time to regroup. Here are some tips on how to do that, between bites of pumpkin pie.

1. Reevaluate yourself. Take the time to plan your search and be analytical about it, Combs states. “You're marketing yourself when you're looking for a new job, so take the time to brand yourself.” To do that, you need to understand what makes you better than the other candidates applying for the same job. “Think about what your differentiators are, and how you're going to define and articulate them,” he states.

You should also give some serious thought as to what you really want to do. Want to work for a larger company? Move from the technical realm into security management? “Ask yourself what your motivations are for wanting to make the move,” Combs says. “Do you want to do the same thing for another company, or do you want more responsibility?” If you consider these things prior to the application process, then you're starting from solid ground.

2. Do your homework. Research different companies in your region and identify ones that you think may be able to use your skills, says Evan Scott, president of executive search firm Evan Scott Group International. “Search company websites and see what kinds of jobs they are advertising for,” he says. If they seem to be a fit, get some contacts and send out some initial e-mails introducing yourself. Or, if possible, take some time to visit certain companies.

“It's a good opportunity to canvas all the companies that might support your professional interests within a commuting distance,” Combs states.

3. Party, er, network. With all the celebrations going on, networking is often easier to do this time of year, Scott states. “It's a great opportunity to meet new recruiters and begin to plant some seeds for meetings in January.” If you’re looking for positions at the CSO/CISO level, Scott suggests reaching out to retainer-based search firms, which tend to handle high-level job postings. (A recruiter who works on retainer has an exclusive contract to fill a job. For the inside skinny, read “The Moving Game,” written by a CSO who's been there, done that.) “Recognize they might not have a fit for you now, but set up a meeting anyway; it's a good time for them to know who you're.”

Combs says it's also a good time to reach out to existing contacts. “Let headhunters you know and trust know you're ready to start looking,” he states. “Touch base with friends, past colleagues, current colleagues or organizations you might be a member of, like the Information Systems Security Association or (ISC)2, and see if there are any networking meetings you can take advantage of.”

Once you do make the connection, whether new or old, make sure you set a timeline for following up, Combs states. It's especially important to do this time of year, when people are increasingly busy outside of work. “You don't want to pester people, but set a date to speak again and be disciplined about it.”

Combs and Scott both predict that social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace will continue to grow in popularity, and effectively change the job search process. Scott states he hasn't seen such techniques used very much at the senior levels, but that they might be more effective for middle management and junior-level positions. Regardless of your experience level, it's not a bad idea to put yourself on a network like LinkedIn.

However, it's still good to exercise caution when using those tools, states Combs. “Steer toward ones that are more professionally focused,” he says. “Use them in a way that's constructive toward your professional goals and maintain a high level of professionalism through them.”

4. Sharpen your resume. These quiet weeks are also a good time to hunker down with your resume. You could start by spending some time visiting job list aggregators like SimplyHired and Monster. Although the listings might be sparse, it's helpful to know what’s out there before you work on your resume. “That way, they're writing it with the goal of solving the problems the job descriptions are asking to be solved,” Combs says, and listing their accomplishments and skills in a way that satisfies what the market wants. Writing it with that context in mind can improve your chances of scoring an interview. “It all goes back to figuring out what your differentiators are and branding yourself,” Combs states. “Then make sure your resume reflects that.”

Recruiters can also help, Scott states. “If you can develop a relationship with a recruiter, ask them for their advice,” he states. “It's a good idea to ask them for samples of resumes they like.”

5. Be patient. During this time of year, don't take it personally if things aren't happening quickly, Combs states. Recognize that it's natural for things to slow down during this season; that's not a reflection of your worth as an employee or job skills. Instead, he states, “take advantage of the fact that it's slower, and do the 'housecleaning' that most people don't get to do when things are moving quickly. And try to enjoy the holiday season.”

On the web job services were meant to automate the job search process, getting jobseekers in front of prospective new employers faster. How well is it working for you? If you've sent out dozens of resumes and gotten tiny or no response, it probably feels like you're sending your resume into a vast black hole. Do you feel like shouting “Hey, is anyone out there?”

To better the odds that your resume is being seen by a real person who can offer you a real job, here are three guidelines to make your resume more effective.

1. Include Key Words

With paper resumes a thing of the past, employers use candidate tracking databases to store resumes. Recruiters and hiring managers use key words to query and find the candidate resumes that match the job. If you aren't using the right words to describe your employment experiences, then your resume might be rejected before it's ever seen. Review the key words your resume uses to:

* Describe your current career objective. Do your qualifications match the job description? Look closely at areas listing your technical skills, job responsibilities, and core competencies.

* Attract your industry. Are you using your industry's current buzzwords? Avoid obsolete terms and phases that might label you as behind the times.

* Attract your occupational field. Does your resume give the impression that you're cutting edge or over the hill? Make sure your resume shows why you're a good choice for the job.

2. Use the Correct Electronic Version

If your resume can't be opened as an attachment, then it can't be seen. Because of the threat of computer viruses, many companies only accept resumes through their own on the web forms which ask you to cut and paste (rather than attach) your resume. Make sure you’re sending your resume in a format that will work for the recipient.

* If a resume attachment is requested: Save your resume as a Word document (.doc or .rtf). This is the standard that most companies use. It should retain the formatting that you used for your resume. Avoid fancy formatting options such as columns, boxes, and tables.

* If an email or on the internet form is used: Use ASCII, plain text, or text only (.txt). This removes formatting, but the information is preserved. Be sure to review your resume before sending it so that it is still easy to read and user friendly. 3. Make Your Resume Stand Out from the Crowd

With hundreds of candidates to select from, what makes your resume shout “Pick me!”? If your qualifications are similar or equal to the vast majority of other candidates, employers will need a compelling reason to select you out of the crowd. You need a differentiating edge, or you'll be ignored.

The ideal way to differentiate your resume from others is with accomplishments. And those accomplishments really stand out when:

* They're quantified or measurable. Can you define how much you accomplished in dollars saved, contracts won, or percent changed?

* They highlight your transferable skills. Can your skills be used by this company, even if your job experience is in a different industry? Transferable skills help employers visualize you in their organization.

* They show corporate impact. How can you help them save time, save money, increase their profit margin, improve sales, or increase revenue?

While the World wide web is still a great tool to connect quickly with employers, you need to take steps to ensure your resume won't be ignored. Before you apply on the web again, use these three tips to make sure your resume gets the attention it deserves!

Deborah Walker, Certified Career Management Coach, helps jobseekers coast to coast navigate the Internet by staying abreast of the significant technical changes that affect on the internet job-search strategies. Visit Deb on the web at http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com

Resume Posting Service

This is a service that allows job seekers to post their resumes to an on the internet job search site, which is used by employers and recruiters. Using a resume database of an online job site makes it easier for employers and recruiters to identify you. When posting your resume, always use key words, as this increases the chances of your resume being found easily by an employer for an interview. This service is usually free for job seekers.

Advanced Word Processing Programs

Use MS word as it includes both, basic and advanced tools that help you to create and format your resume. Don't forget to keep a back up of your Ms Word-based resume in some other application like Notepad or Wordpad. These applications convert your resume into ASCII text that allows your resume to be read properly in email format.

Mention keywords that are closely associated with the job for that you are applying for.

Advantage Of Posting On the web

As soon as you post your resume on the web, your resume and skills are made available to numerous employers and recruiters. Ultimately, you gain access to a large number of opportunities. The same can’t be reached by viewing employment advertisements, company web sites, employment web sites or newspapers.

Disadvantage

As each coin has two sides, so does posting on the internet. The biggest advantage of posting a resume on the internet is that it also makes all your personal information visible to everyone. You might be troubled by a number of phone calls from various agencies, employment consultants, headhunters and even telemarketers. In order to avoid this, don't provide too much personal information and be careful with what you chose to disclose.

Resume Bank

You need to be very alert when choosing to use a resume bank, as some offer free service, while others might charge a monthly fee. Besides the service cost, what’s more important is the scope of the service. A few offer national exposure and at the same time, some are attached to professional associations or a network of businesses. Rather then regretting it later, be careful before when submitting your resume. Always weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Key Reminders

It is always useful to post your resume on the internet as it provides a wide network of job opportunities. For a specific job, you need to go to the best resume bank available, create a strong resume and post your electronic resume. Be confident when you meet an employer and make each possible effort to present yourself professionally.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online - http://www.sixsigmaonline.org offers on the web six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

There are a number of common mistakes that people make when writing their resumes. Each of these mistakes can really undermine you, no matter how much good work you have put into writing and formatting.

Here are the most common mistakes and how to repair them:

1. Using Little Fonts: People tend to change jobs much more frequently nowadays than they did in the past. Consequently it can be a struggle to squeeze in all your previous work experience in one or two pages, and as a result, many people are tempted to use a little font. This is not a good idea, you should never use a font size smaller than 10 points. Instead, you should aim to edit your resume to make it more concise. Additionally, it's okay to omit information which isn’t relevant to your potential employer - for example, if you're aged 50 and applying for a senior management position, it isn't necessary to include the part-time Summer job you had in high school in your previous employment!

2. Too Much Text: When writing your resume, especially the previous experience section, you want to avoid use long wordy paragraphs. You want to be concise and focus on conveying the key points. Use action words like “managed”, “developed”, “created”, write simply, and even think about using bullet points instead of paragraphs of text.

3. Inaccurate Proper Names: Double check that all proper names (especially school and company names) are correct, and spelled correctly. Don't use variations or abbreviations of the names, no matter how widely understood that you think that they’re - use the actual name.

4. Typos, etc.: They look careless and they are careless. Typos, spelling and grammar mistakes will simply convince potential employers that you're poor at paying attention to detail. Use the spell checker in your wordprocessor software, but be aware this won’t catch everything, so ask friends and family to double and triple check your resume too.

5. Personal Web Sites: Many people include a link to a personal web site in their resume. This is mistake unless your web site is entirely focused on material related to your career. Non-work related information on your web site may encounter as frivilous, time-wasting, irrelevant or inappropriate. If your web site includes jokes, photographs, stories, blogs, information about friends or social events, don't include a link to it in your resume. If you really want to include a link to a web site in your resume, then set up a web site just about your professional career, and link to that.

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.jobpixie.com/resume_tips_mistakes.php