Unfortunately, that’s not the way to impress a hiring manager or a recruiter. In today’s job market, what you have to prove most is that you’re the ideal candidate for the position. That means focusing on one industry, one job (preferably from a posting you’re interested in) and dovetailing everything you’ve done toward that opening.

Some of you might now say that it’s impractical to do that if you’re submitting your resume to 20 or more openings in a week.

The truth is that your resume needs to be custom-tailored to each of those many openings. Why? Because if you’re skilled in accounting, sales, retail management, graphic arts, childcare and customer service, a firm that’s hiring for an accountant isn’t going to care about anything other than your accounting skills, as they relate to the job responsibilities of the position.

Don’t kid yourself that a hiring manager or recruiter will be impressed with all that you can do. Too much of this on your resume and you’ll confuse them as to what your skills really are and why you’re applying to their opening at all.

The best resume is focused, targeted, and relies heavily on accomplishments – not tasks – to tell the story of you.

Stay on point and be certain to tweak each resume to fit the opening. It will take some time, but it will also shorten your job search in the long run.

Don’t give them that chance. Although your background may be impeccable, the details you provide could be painting a negative view of you as a viable candidate. To make certain you’re not sabotaging your chances, keep the following in mind:

1. Don’t use cute or weird email addresses. For example, an administrative assistance should never use an email that states prettyblonde@email.com or available4fun@email.com. Someone in a fiduciary capacity would be wise to avoid outofcash@email.com. No one should use luv2party or luv2drink. You get the idea. Keep it simple and professional – your first and last name or your initial and last name.

2. Never use your current company’s email address when you’re looking for a new job. An employer will wonder why you’re taking emails and phone calls from a new employer when you haven’t yet left your current position. It strikes the average person as dishonest, so don’t fall into that trap.

3. Avoid listing hobbies or interests on a resume. Even if you want to shout to the world that you’re a diehard Trekkie, that info’s going to look downright weird on a resume, especially if you’re competing for a position in management. Never list activities that cause a hiring manager to worry about your health. This would include extreme sports. No one is apt to hire an individual who may be hurt, out of work for extended periods and eat up the company’s health care plan.

4. Never write a resume in the first person using personal pronouns (my, I, we, etc.). It’s not professional. Always use third person.

5. Don’t state ‘references are available upon request’ – that’s a given. Also, don’t provide references unless asked for them.

6. Never include high school education on a resume (unless you’re applying to the federal government). Again, it’s a given that everyone in this country has a high school diploma or a GED.

7. Don’t include a photo on your resume. The only exception would be if you’re applying for a sales position in which there’s a lot of personal contact with clients. In that case, you’d use a professional looking headshot – no vacation photos.

8. Don’t include personal info on your resume such as marital status, date of birth, religious affiliation. It’s simply not done in this country.

9. Never use an objective to open the resume. An objective is telling the hiring manager or recruiter what you want. They don’t care about that. They want to know what you can do for their company. Paint a picture of yourself as the perfect candidate in an outstanding opening summary.

The above are just a few of the many details that could trip you up in your search for a new job. By avoiding these and keeping your resume professional and on point with what you can accomplish, you’ll go a long way toward getting that coveted interview.

Although it may seem easy to answer, it’s really not. Lacking details as to what the individual’s background contains and the job being sought, there is no set response.

Unlike 10 to 15 years ago, today’s resumes aren’t a simple listing of your professional and academic experience. These documents are now targeted toward distinct industries. In other words, they’re specialized. No longer can you submit a resume that proves you are a jack of all trades, because that’s not what hiring managers and recruiters want to see. They want in-depth knowledge of your niche in a certain industry.

Therefore, there is no such thing as a one-size-resume fitting all. Something as simple as format can differ widely with candidates. An individual in accounting would choose a conservative approach, whereas a ‘creative’ would want a design and fonts with a bit more flair.

Although resumes are – and should be – as different as people’s personalities, there are certain basics that must be included in every resume. These are:

1. A strong opening summary that paints the individual as the perfect candidate for the position

2. Showcased accomplishments that are quantified

3. Professional experience that doesn’t go back more than 15 years

4. An education section – or training section – highlighting post high school academics or specialized training

In order to stand out from the crowd and to showcase what’s unique about your knowledge, skills and abilities, you need a resume that dovetails your talents to the position requirements.

Settling for anything less will only add time to your job search.

Many of you might be considering application to the federal government. It’s a good move for solid employment; however, application to any government agency can be as complicated as doing your yearly tax return.

Here are some tips to remember:

1. You must have a job vacancy announcement to apply. Unlike the private sector, you cannot simply send a resume to every federal agency and hope to be considered. You won’t. You’ll be spinning your wheels. You need to look at job openings at the government’s website (you can do a google search for it). The vacancy announcement must still be open. If it’s closed, you’re out of luck. And, you must meet the requirements for the position. You cannot state that you’re willing to learn. Agencies want individuals with the required skills.

2. You must submit a resume in the format each agency requires. That might be Resumix (plain text unformatted) or by copying/pasting your resume into fields onto an online form. Each agency has their own requirements and you must meet them. If you do not, your resume won’t be considered.

3. Your content must meet the agency’s requirements. Unlike private sector resumes, federal resumes include vast amounts of data such as your supervisors’ names, work addresses, contact numbers, your social security number, high school data, etc. Be prepared to include everything the agency asks for.

4. You may have to answer questions such as KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities), ECQ (Executive Core Qualifications), etc. These are questions that require essay type answers. Not including them with your resume, if they’re asked for, will take you out of the race for the job.

5. Meeting every agency guideline when composing and submitting the resume, KSAs, ECQs, etc. If you do not, you won’t be considered for the position.

Many individuals feel overwhelmed by all that they must do in order to work for the federal government. However, that’s no reason to give up. If you feel you cannot do an adequate job of composing your federal resume and essay questions, then use a professional resume writer who’s trained to know the ins and outs of the federal application process.

Most job seekers will use the popular reverse-chronological format. That is, you list your most recent job first, followed by the next most recent and on and on.

Others might opt for the combo format. It’s a mixture of reverse-chronological and functional. In it, you’ll list your skills in a functional style beneath the opening summary followed by professional experience in a reverse-chronological format. The functional skills are what you do in your job. For example: an accountant might list reconciliations, tax returns, AP/AR, etc.

Both the reverse chronological and combo type resumes give the hiring manager quick, easy access to what you can do.

However, the functional format hides important information from the hiring authority, mainly where you gained your experience. In a functional format, you’d list your skills, knowledge, abilities after an opening summary and then you’d simply list the name of your employers along with dates in the professional experience section. There would be no details as to where you did what.

When a hiring manager sees a functional resume, the first thought is that the candidate is trying to hide something. That might be job hopping, dated work experience, etc. What’s more, it’s impossible for them to know if you dealt with tax authorities (as stated in the functional section) at ABC Firm last year or XYZ Firm twenty years ago, as listed on your resume.

You see the problem. They don’t know you and you’re making it impossible for them to get a clear picture of your relevant and recent talents.

If you have been a job hopper or if your work experience is dated, it’s still better for you to use a combo type resume than a functional one.

One of the few times a functional resume can work is if you’re a contractor (self-employed) and the names of the individuals you work for (professional experience) isn’t as important as what you’ve done for them, especially if you’ve accomplished the same type work for each client.

Remember, you have seven seconds or less to compel a hiring manager to read your resume. Don’t put stumbling blocks in your path to an interview by choosing to use the functional format.

Unlike the days of GM (once known as Generous Motors) or a time when you could simply list your experience on a piece of paper and expect a job offer, today’s work prospects can be few and far between. The only way to safeguard your future is to be prepared for anything and have an outstanding resume at the ready.

Even if you’re not about to be laid off or don’t want to move from your company to another, a resume will come in handy if you’re seeking a promotion. In many companies, senior staff are being let go because of bloated salaries. If you have the talent, skills and knowledge to step into those roles, prove it with an achievements-focused resume. And, if you’re not looking to climb the corporate ladder, you can use your resume during your annual performance review to remind your supervisor of the stellar work you’ve done during the year.

If you are facing layoffs or downsizing, then you can’t do without a professional resume. In most industries, the newly unemployed will be competing with dozens, if not hundreds, of other equally-qualified candidates. A fraction of those individuals will get an interview and even less will be put on payroll. An impactful resume will give you a fighting chance.

At job fairs and even in your everyday life, having an up-to-date resume may be the difference between protracted unemployment and getting the job of your dreams. You never know who you’ll run into at social functions, church, your children’s afterschool activities. Those acquaintances and friends may be able to get you noticed with the hiring managers at their companies, if you have a resume that clearly showcases your skills and expertise.

Don’t make the mistake many do during this holiday season and tell yourself you’ll wait until New Year’s Day to worry about it. If you can create a stellar resume yourself, then start doing so now. If you can’t write the kind of document hiring managers want to see, then contact a professional resume writing service without delay.

This year, give yourself and your family the greatest gift of all – your job security and a solid financial future.

The wheels of commerce don’t grind to a halt in November and December. Job recruitment in healthcare, IT and many other industries is a constant.

Rather than taking it easy and thinking you’ll get back to your job search in January, consider this: A great deal of job seekers will be doing the same, thereby lessening your competition. While they cool their heels for January, you’ll be sprucing up your resume, honing your job interview skills and applying.

Wouldn’t one of the best holiday gifts be a new job?

Don’t wait and don’t kid yourself that it’s all right to delay the inevitable. Take charge today.

1. Review your resume and if it’s not up to par, have a professional work on it for you.

2. Sharpen your interview skills. Again, if you’re unable to do so yourself, engage professional services.

3. Apply, apply, apply. If you do so now, you may not have to wait until January to begin your new career.

4. Don’t fall for the herd mentality. The only word of wisdom you should be following is to make looking for a job your only job.

Those who keep at it will be the ones invited to interview. This holiday season, make certain it’s you.

You do. What employers want is quite simple:

1. An employee that requires little to no training

2. Someone who works well with others and fits easily into the company structure

3. An achiever rather than an individual who just puts in his/her time

Experienced professionals can easily meet the above ‘wish list’. However, to wow an employer it’s important to structure your resume in a certain manner to showcase what you can offer.

Begin with an opening summary that proves you are the ideal candidate for the position. Dovetail all that you know to what the employer needs. Add one, preferably two, recent/relevant/quantified accomplishments.

Follow that section with even more accomplishments. Most candidates won’t do that. So you’re already well ahead of the pack. Make certain that you add dollar figures of cost savings or earnings, time periods in which the achievement took place and how you managed to excel. Tell a story.

Your professional experience comes next. Don’t make the mistake of listing every job from college on. Go back no further than 15 years (10 for someone in IT). You’ll avoid age discrimination that way. Again, focus on the results of what you did rather than tasks. There are many individuals who can do the same job. There aren’t as many who can make the company money or save it money.

End with your education. If you’re 50 or older it’s best to leave off dates of graduation. Again, you don’t want to invite age discrimination. You want to compel the hiring manager to offer you an interview.

It isn’t always age that keeps a candidate from succeeding. It’s not knowing what to showcase in a resume or how to organize the document.

Keep the above tips in mind and you’ll stand out from the rest.

More and more companies are demanding that their employees prove their worth. It’s not enough to simply come in on time, engage in the tasks in your job description, then go home, especially if you’re in a contracting industry or your company is downsizing.

To be retained in this poor economy, you need to show your employer that you are invaluable. And if the worst happens and you’re laid off or your employer goes out of business, then you must market yourself to another company as being their only choice in a new hire.

How do you do this?

At your current job, keep updating your resume with all of your accomplishments (those activities in which you have either made your company money or saved it money). An up-to-date, polished resume will be invaluable should a promotion come available or if staff is going to be cut and your job is on the line.

If you’re looking for new employment, updating your resume is even more essential. Hiring managers and recruiters don’t know who you are and they won’t believe blanket statements like “I’m great at what I do”, “I’ll be an asset at your firm”. They want proof.

The only way to provide that proof is to again showcase what you’ve done at previous jobs. Make your resume accomplishment-focused rather than task-focused.  There may be hundreds of other individuals who can do what you do on the job. But there’s only a few that will excel, proving they will grow a company, adding to its success.

From the first day of any job, you should be looking five years down the road to what you want next and how you intend to succeed. During that time, you should do all that you can to make certain your employer sees you as an asset rather than a liability.

Keep a running record of what you’ve achieved. That running record is a resume. Make certain it’s always updated, always ready for the new job search.

The kind of employee you should be is one that everyone wants. All you have to do is prove it.

Once you get past those initial concerns, your next thought may be:

1. The format you like best. Reverse chronological, functional, a combination of the two.

2. Presentation or template choice. Resume writing companies often have several from which to choose in a variety of fonts.

3. Page length. One, two or more?

While you’re pondering these choices or considering what the resume writer suggests, it’s important to remember one thing: What you like or don’t like is not as important as what the hiring manager expects to see.

That’s right, your opinion as to style, page length and template choice isn’t important. After all, you’re not the target audience for the resume. The hiring manager or recruiter is. Therefore, it’s best to keep their preferences in mind. And to trust your resume writer.

Professional resume writers know from experience what will fly with a hiring manager or a recruiter. They know not to list every single thing you’ve done in your professional or academic career even if the data is dear to your heart. They know personal information isn’t wise to include either. Yes, you’re very proud that you once won a music award. However, if you’re no longer in the performing arts, the hiring manager couldn’t care less about that part of your background.

Other pitfalls to avoid include:

1. Going back too far in your work history. That invites age discrimination.

2. Keeping your resume task oriented (daily duties) rather than showcasing accomplishments (results of what you’ve done).

3. Failing to quantify achievements.

4. Writing a ‘general, one-size-fits-all’ resume that is so generic none of your skills stand out.

Even if you’re tempted to tell the resume writer what you prefer, it’s best to listen to the advice she or he has to offer. If you’re told a two page resume is best, given the resume writer’s past experience, then believe what’s said. Your resume writer wants  you to succeed and to get an interview.

Trust the experts. Listen to what they propose. Benefit from their years of expertise. And put the hiring manager or recruiter’s preferences first rather than your own.