12. Listing Work Experience Properly:
Let's first address those who have worked for one company for a long time, meaning 10 years and over. If you fall into this category, you might wish to focus on the one employer as your work experience, and list each job or duties you've had within this one company. After all, 10 years with one company is a long time these days, and you've undoubtedly had a wide variety of different responsibilities, experiences and achievements over the years. You've probably developed a wide range of skills with this company, so this approach is perfect for the person who is applying for a job in the same industry and/or in the same capacity.

If you are changing careers entirely, you may wish to incorporate your previous jobs into the resume, in an effort to showcase diversity. This will depend entirely on your background, the jobr or career you are seeking, and what you anticipate the employer is looking for. Make sure the experiences you are sharing fit the continuity of the position you are applying for.

13. List The Most Important Information First:
When selling yourself to others, it's always best to showcase your strongest talents and skills first and up front. For example, if you have strong technology experience and you're applying for work in the technology field, or in a job requiring those extensive technology skills, you will probably want to feature that information up front. Knowledge of popular software programs such as the Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access etc.) or the Adobe suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.) is understood by most HR staff. These are easy-to-identify keywords that can enhance your chances of getting that phone call for an interview.

As I have stated throughout this document, don't get fancy with too many buzz terms or industry jargon, as you have no idea if the resume reader is savvy enough to understand. If you are an architect, for example, and you have extensive experience in architecture and you are a genius at AutoCAD, that information should be featured for easy identification. However, you don't need to go into an in-depth discussion about the inner workings of being an architect. The reader doesn't care and it can get your resume thrown out. If you have certifications or degrees that are directly relevant to getting the job you seek, make sure those are listed up front and in plain view, as well.

14. Focus on Qualities & Strengths:
Instead of merely regurgitating out a bunch of "stuff" you think employers want to hear, really try to connect your strengths and positive attributes with real life work experiences. For example, if you are an "excellent problem solver," make sure each job description reflects simple, concise and effective proof of that fact. Otherwise, it's just meaningless words on a page. It's one thing to say the words, but it's quite another to make those words come to life. Remember, you only have about 10 seconds to capture the reader's attention, so choose your words carefully, clearly and concise.

15. Explaining Gaps in Employment:
So many people panic over employment gaps, but I say it is senseless to worry about it, as it doesn't have to be big deal. Real life happens to us all. Layoffs, personality clashes at work, personal issues, family issues, marital problems, health problems, you name it. Life always throws us a curve somewhere, so you'll just have to work around the problem. I decided to address this issue in a bit more detail because many people are unsure how to address this issue.

When listing employment work dates, you do not have to be overly fanatical about listing the months you worked, as much as the years. Doing this will ease the gaps at first glance, and will increase your chances of getting the interview call. Here's an example of how an applicant with these issues might list their work dates:

• Employer: The Three Stooges Company; Title: Nationwide Sales Manager
  2010 (Current)
• Employer: The Joe Schmoe Company; Title: Regional Operations Manager Manager
  2007 – 2009
• Employer: The Happy Camper Company; Title: Sales Manager Manager
  2005 - 2006
• Employer: The Jane Doe Company; Title: Customer Service Manager
  2000 – 2005
  

In this example, it briefly appears our applicant has held steady employment from 2001 to the current date in 2010. However, upon a litte bit of study, we find there could be employment gaps.

• Let's start at the bottom of the list. If we look at the Jane Doe Company, it depicts a 2005 end date, and the Happy Camper Company, the following employer, has a beginning date of 2005. The transition from one to the other appears initially seamless. However, there could have been a number of months the applicant was unemployed in between these two jobs, but the attention isn't focused on it. Here are some possible scenarios:

• Our applicant may have lost this job because the company was sold to another firm who replaced everyone with their own people. It happens all the time in corporate take-overs and company sales, and usually isn't a problem for a new employer.

• Another scenario might be that the company had mass layoffs and it took time for our applicant to find new employment for a number of months. These are acceptable issues that can and do happen on a regular basis, and should not alarm a prospective employer.

• Back to the Jane Doe Company for a moment. The applicant appears to have worked at the company for 5 years, which demonstrates some form of job stability. Again, the attention is focused on names and numbers on a page, that's it. Just facts. It's a resume, not a dramalogue! Try to remove the emotion out of the situations if possible. You can always explain the basics to a prospective employer in person, if you get an interview call.

• Now we move onto a more obvious employment gap between the Joe Schmoe Company and the Three Stooges Company. The issue could have been that the Joe Schmoe Company went out of business with little or no warning, and it took time for our applicant to find another job. During this time, perhaps our applicant tried to start a business. Or, maybe our applicant took time off to travel. Perhaps, the individual had family issues or marital problems. Again, whatever happened, the key is not to make it a big deal of it.

• Let's address the most difficult scenarios, where the individual might was fired or quit the job. This is usually the hardest to address, but again, life happens. Be brave and confident and briefly explain the situation if asked. If the applicant quit, the question will be why. There could be any number of issues. Perhaps, the individual asked for a raise and was denied over and over. This can be a big issue when a person feels overworked and unappreciated. If this has happened to you, you want to address the matter diplomatically. You can explain that it was a mutual agreement to leave because your goals did not match.

• If the individual was terminated, this is, of course, the biggest point of contention. In our example, let's say our applicant had a clash with a superior. Perhaps the individual did something wrong. I never encourage lying, however, I also don't encourage hanging yourself with your own noose. Do not get into a big dialogue about terminations. State the facts about the job and explain that you both agreed to terminate the relationship. I would not take it much farther. If you know you cannot get a good reference from a company, you may be wise to leave it off completely, unless you have no other choice. The down side of this is the experiences you had on the job might be valuable, but you will want to think it through carefully. Ask the advice of a career professional if you are unsure what to do.

Life happens to us all. Remember, your only responsibility to an employer is to perform your job well, to be professional with everyone you work with and for. The employer does not own you, and your private life is your own. If you DO get the interview call, for goodness sake, don't stumble over these issues in person! Don't make a big production about what happened. Explain the situation calmly and as professionally as possible. Try not to enter into a bashing session of others, if there were past employment problems, or problems with bosses or co-workers. Last but not least, NEVER let the employer see you sweat. It demonstrates weakness and it will cost you in the wallet. Be positive and confident in yourself and your abilities and you'll be just fine.

16. Use Bullet Points & Indicators:
Most HR staff and prospective employers are very busy people. Therefore, make certain to use bullet points and short sentences to chronicle your information. If the reader has to think too much about what you are saying you have just lost them. Make the resume neat, clean, uncluttered, easy to read, and interesting. You'll win that way every time. Simplicity is usually best.

17. Use Numbers Where Applicable
If you have something to brag or boast about, this is your chance to do that! Let's say, for example, you helped a previous employer increase their annual sales revenue, you should list that fact in numbers. So you could say you "increased sales by $100,000 or $1,000,000" or whatever the number might be. Or, you can list it by percentages, to reflect it. "Increased sales by 75% or 85%" or whatever.

18. Describe Yourself With "Meaty" Job Titles!
When it comes to making better money, titles might matter to a propective employer. Therefore, try to offer simple, yet descriptive and catchy titles if possible. For example, if you have worked in advertising, you wouldn't just say you "worked in advertising" on your resume. You would describe yourself as an "Advertising Manager," or maybe an "Advertising Account Executive." If you were a part of a creative team, you might describe yourself as an "Advertising Creative." If you performed graphic design work for a company, you would obviously list yourself as a Graphic Artist or Graphic Designer. Simple, catchy and effective titles that mean something will fetch the bigger money. Work with what you have the best way you can.

19. Keywords are Key!
Today, the majority of companies are searching for job candidates via databases or digital HR websites and services. It is critical for you to know how it works. The person seeking out candidates will search for queries based on specific keywords. If your resume isn't "keyworded" properly (for the lack of a better term), you will not be found, which means you do not exist. Learning about and utilizing keywords is the key to being sought out. If you do nothing else, make sure you learn how to keyword your resume. Otherwise you are out of the running before you ever got in. Keywords are usually words and phrases that are "nouns" (a noun is a person, place or thing), and these should describe your talents and skills as best as possible for keyword searches. I am a fan of placing about 25 keywords into the top portion of your resume. If you have to, you can do it at the bottom or end if that is easier for you. However, the top reaps better search results for the HR people. Being in web and graphic design for many years, I've learned a thing or two about search engines and databases. If you want to be found, you must make yourself "findable." So as you can see, keywords truly are key.

Let's use our architect example again. You will want to list keywords and phrases such as: "architect, architecture, blueprints, AutoCAD, design software, architectural software, real estate designer, homes, housing, commercial real estate, building design" and so on. You get the idea.

If you are in the medical field, you would use medical keywords to describe those talents. So if you were in, let's say, sports medicine, you might use keywords like: "medical, medicine, sports medicine, sports, sports therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation," or whatever the nature of your experience is in.

As many of you probably know, resource websites like Monster and CareerBuilder have templated forms you can fill out for potential employers and HR staff to view. What you may not know is how beneficial these systems can be because they are keyword and key phrase friendly. If you do your keywording right, you will me much easier to find than someone who hasn't optimized their keywords. Remember, these tools are free of charge and it is well worth the time and effort to use them. So take advantage! It can be the difference between landing a great job and not getting a single phone call for a single interview. Choose your words wisely!

20. Explain Why a Company Should Hire You:
Merely stating that you can do something is not enough to land an interview, and will not catch the attention of an employer. You will need to explain how hiring you will benefit the company you wish to work for. Provide valuable, tangible information the reader can appreciate. If you are an amazing computer programmer, state those facts to read something like: "Top in the field of computer programming." Or, "Graduated top of my class in XYZ skill." Or, "Expert in XYZ program languages." If you have certifications, state those clearly, like: "Microsoft Certified" or "Surety Bonded" or "Security Dealers License" or "Real Estate Licensed." Offer short, concise, defined, sentences. Ultimiately, you are offering the reader glorified "sales blurbs" about the product you are selling, and the "product" is YOU! You are what is for sale, as weird as that may sound to you. Focus on the sales aspect of all of this. There is an art and a science to creating that perfect persona that a prospective employer wants to hire. Visit resume samples and templates for ideas. If you're really stuck, make sure to hire a career professional to assist you. It is definitely worth it.

21. Watch the "I" & "Me" Syndrome:
What could be harder than describing something about yourself without using these two pronouns? If you wish to land that great job or career, you really have to think of your resume in a more business based mindset. Cold as it sounds, you are a "thing" to an employer, long before you are ever a person. It's sad but it's true. You are a commodity to be purchased. Often times, I say this fact to people, and they cringe! Even CEOs working for a Fortune 500 company are a product for hire. Try not to personalize over this fact. It's a part of life these days for everyone.

With the use of too much "I" or "me" in your resume, the prospective may view you as amateurish, childish or conceited in your personality, even if those things aren't true. All they have is a perceived image to judge you by, at that point in time. In their mind, it becomes too much about the person and not enough about business. State everything about yourself in fact format. Sentences like, "Work well under pressure" or "require minimal supervision" state the point very well. Simple bullet points, with simple, short sentences will speak volumes to a potential employer.

22. Avoid Negativity:
Do not include negative information in your resume! This is an interview killer and it will get your resume thrown out in a hurry. Don't tell prospective employers about things or people you hated at previous jobs, or complain about how hard the work was. Negative statements make you look like you are a nagging complainer and an employer does not want that kind of person in their company. Just say no to negativity!

23. Achievements vs. Responsibilities:
Instead of merely listing a whole bunch of responsibilities like a long, boring chore list, try to focus more on professional achievements and goals you reached for previous employers. Of course, you will want to explain a few "responsibility key points," however, try to refrain from long drawn-out "bla bla bla" lists, or you risk putting the reader to sleep! Try to make it interesting and focus on bigger successes. Again, keep sentences short, use bullets, and keep everything easy to read.

24. Name & Contact Information Should Clearly Stand Out:
The first thing on your resume should be your name. It should be bold and with a larger font than the rest of the text. Make sure that your contact information is accurate and clearly listed, as well. If you have more than one resume page, head each page with your name, phone number and page number. Example: John A. Smith, (111) 222-3333 Page 2 of 3