Marketing Yourself

by Kathryn Reid, ResumeEdge.com Editor and CPRW

Suppose you had just one chance to advertise yourself on a billboard overlooking a busy highway, and that passing motorists had only a few seconds to glance at it. It doesn’t matter what your occupation or skill set is. How would you make your advertisement meaningful and memorable?

Think of your résumé as a portable version of that billboard. The motorists whizzing by? Human resources professionals and other hiring entities. They don’t have time to read a biography of a jobseeker, and they don’t want to read your job description. (They aren’t interested in knowing that you report to work and do what an employer expects of you – the daily tasks for which you are paid.) They want to know what makes you special; how you add value; how you can make a difference in their organizations. They want to glance at your résumé and say, “Here’s someone I need to meet.”

It’s not always easy or comfortable for people to try to “sell” themselves this way. There’s a fine line between hollow bragging and effective advertising. Professional résumé writers know the difference, and ResumeEdge.com’s writers will work with you to turn a so-what list of responsibilities or accomplishments into a powerful marketing tool. Here are some real-life examples:

Before
· “Daily processing of portfolio transactions in accordance with department policies and procedures.”

After
· Provide investment managers and clients with accurate, time-sensitive portfolio information through diligent
processing, analysis, reporting and dissemination of cash and transaction data.

Before
· “Inspected, marketed and sold properties to first time homebuyers.”

After
· Created home ownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents who might otherwise be
excluded from the housing market. Provided prospective buyers with inception-through-settlement financial
consulting services and education.

Before
· “Presented PowerPoint presentations to civic, photography and hiking clubs around the country with client
endorsements.”

After
· Increased revenue and brand awareness by making sales presentations to clubs and associations countrywide,
incorporating customer testimonials about tour experiences as marketing technique.

Before
· “Organized profitable & charitable events.”

After
· Organized and ran for-profit and charity events attracting more than 45 musicians of regional, national and
international influence in the avant-garde genre, including two-time world DMC champion DJ Klever.

Ready to see yourself in a new light? Help is only a mouse click away!

Kathryn Reid is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with an undergraduate degree in English and extensive experience in commercial property/casualty insurance operations management. She has written resumes for ResumeEdge.com customers in diverse occupations: sales, science, finance, education, medicine, information technology, retail management, nonprofit, homemakers transitioning to the corporate workforce-- and even a professional viola player seeking a career change! Request Kathryn for your ResumeEdge.com product by keying her last name only, no caps (reid) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/

What to Say in an Interview

by Daniel Barcus, MBA, CPRW, ResumeEdge.com Editor

There are three key steps you can take in any interview to make yourself stand out. Sticking to the point and staying focused on what you’re trying to achieve will help. Many interviewers want to appear friendly, but if you let yourself get steered into idle conversation, the interview may end before you’ve had a chance to sell yourself.

Interviews often start with a very friendly “tell me about yourself.” This is your first chance to set yourself apart from the pack of other applicants. Lead off with two or three major accomplishments, rather than the various bits of personal information most candidates will respond with. If you can do that, you’re already compelling the manager to hire you. A strong way to close that portion of the conversation is to ask “what are the most important things you need to have achieved for this job, so we can tailor our discussion to that?”

Second, after you have presented your skills and experience, it’s a good idea to check in with the manager. One way to do that is to say “There is no such thing as the perfect candidate, but suppose I’m the last interview and you have to make a decision tonight. What reservations would you have about offering me this job right now?” When you ask a question like this, you have to be quiet and wait for an answer! If the manager has a question, or says that you don’t have much experience in one area, try to address that in a positive way, either by demonstrating where you do have that experience or how your other strengths will empower you.

Last, if you want the job, ask for it. In question form. “I really like what I’ve learned about your organization and leadership. This is the job I want. May I have it?” Again, be silent after you ask the question. Most interviewers will not be prepared to make an offer on the spot, but if they’ve talked to 20 candidates that day, they will remember the one candidate who asked for the job! Please note that pleading statements like “I hope you’ll offer me this job” do not have the same effect.

If you take these three steps, you will go a long way toward standing out in an employers mind as a strong, focused and capable candidate.

Daniel Barcus has 20 years of professional experience in high technology and career coaching. He earned an MBA in Organizational Design, Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the University of Chicago, a BS in Marketing from the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, as well as CPRW certification. He has written resumes to help clients achieve their goals from entry level to executive in a wide array of industries. Request Daniel for your ResumeEdge.com product by keying his last name only, no caps (barcus) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/services/federal-resume/index.php?nav=se.fed

Securing Your Federal Interview: The Ins and Outs of Federal Resumes, KSAs, and ECQs

by Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Esq. ResumeEdge.com Editor and CPRW

Whether you are seeking employment within the world of the Federal government or a long-standing employee entering the Senior Executive Service, the Federal resume is your key to securing the job you want. Each agency, regardless of nature, requires that every applicant complete an OF-612 or submit a Federal resume. Additionally, many positions require Knowledge, Skills and Abilities essays (KSAs). Higher-level positions for experienced Federal employees often request Executive Core Qualification essays (ECQs). Each of these requirements maintain a significant and distinct expression of capability, and as such, these three areas are addressed in turn.

I. The Federal Resume

Hiring in the Federal government is a lengthy and complex process. There are tens of thousands of applicants seeking positions within hundreds of Federal agencies across the globe. Thus, when reviewing applications, points are calculated based on your experience, knowledge and skill set. Further, there are a significant number of classifications and restrictions, often referred to as category ratings. Of the plethora of qualifications for employment, the most noted ones include: government direct hires, student employees and veterans. Because of these detail-oriented hiring specifications, hiring committees (yes, they are committees!) must first narrow down the applicants based on this eligibility.

As such, eligibility and hiring preference are considered two of the most important factors in your Federal resume. Your resume must highlight any special emphasis employment program for which you might be eligible. There are several programs which allocate additional points, including one for dependents and spouses of active duty personnel under the Military Spouse Preference program and the Family Member Preference Program. Further, Veterans Preference, as per the Veterans Readjustment Act allocates five or ten points depending on time served and war service.

Aside from this important distinction, the Federal resume is an exhaustive compilation of each position you have held, your educational background as well as any additional proficiencies, certifications, or training you maintain. The document can extend up to any page limit. The most noted exception to this limit is the Resumix System, which uploads resumes up to five pages in length.

The importance of your Federal resume can not be underscored enough, as it is the core description of what you can offer the agency as well as your expertise in the field area. It is essentially what demonstrates that you have the minimum qualifications for the position, thus allowing you to make the first cut. Because the Federal government now uses highly sophisticated, proprietary search engines, such as USAJobs or Resumix, your resume most hold the key words which delineate your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding of the field. Meanwhile, while meeting these needs, your resume must immediately highlight the relevant achievements and be a user-friendly document, allowing the reader to easily digest the information without becoming overwhelmed by the volume of information.

II. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

KSAs are usually one-page narratives which answer direct questions posed by the job announcement. They can be quite vague, such as Describe your oral and written communication skills to a complex question requiring intricate knowledge of a federal program. As stated above, the answers to these questions carry point values, and as such, it is extremely important that you directly answer the question with as many examples as possible, always utilizing the specific words employed in the question. The answers to these questions should not exceed one page, but it is not uncommon for one question to occupy two pages when your experience is lengthy. KSAs are an essential part of your application and you should focus as much time as possible in ensuring that you have fully and completely answered each part of the question.

Remember, it is essential that you use as many specific examples as possible in your answer. The committee is looking for an understanding of the knowledge you maintain, your skill set in accomplishing the task questioned and your ability to complete the task properly. As such, each answer must demonstrate those three factors with examples to obtain maximum points.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration, KSAs can test either both or either of your technical skills or soft skills, technical skills being knowledge of “accounting principles or the ability to create and manage Microsoft Access databases.” (See All About KSAOs, pg. 1) Soft skills include “the attitudes and approaches applicants take to their work, such as the ability to collaborate on team projects or the ability to communicate orally with a broad range of individuals.” (See All About KSAOs, pg. 1) The committee then reviews your answers to the questions and assigns a rating between 5-20 points for each question. The point value is not publicized, and as such, you should weigh each question of equal importance.

Therefore, pay careful attention to your KSA answers in their specificity and their direct answer to the questions posed. Remember, your Federal resume expresses your minimum qualifications but your KSAs demonstrate your selective factors, qualifications “that are essential to successfully perform the duties of the job. A selective factor is one that usually cannot be learned during the normal period of orientation to the job and may take extensive training or experience to develop.” (See All About KSAOs, pg. 4) Thus, it is essential that you demonstrate through your experience examples that you maintain the qualities called for and should receive further consideration by the committee in the form of an interview.

III. Executive Core Qualifications

ECQs are often utilized for the Senior Executive Service. These questions are rooted in finding people who can lead “the continuing transformation of government” based on the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. (See US Office of Personnel Management, www.opm.gov). ECQs are fundamentally different from KSAs as the totality of your answers are evaluated rather than each individual answer. As such, the rating is a score of your complete ECQ submission. The questions for ECQs are preset, and they include: Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen and Building Coalitions. In answering these questions you must describe a specific problem, discuss your immediate plan to resolve the problem, the action you took and the result of your action. In so doing, you must also address certain characteristics fundamental to senior-level Federal employees, such as leadership, communication skills, integrity and a passion for public service.

It is important to remember that ECQs are not evaluated for your specific expertise, as this is not what qualifies you for the position. In the Senior Executive Service, it is you “broad executive skills needed to succeed” which are examined. (See US Office of Personnel Management, www.opm.gov). More specifically, the committee needs to see that you are a person which the experience, credentials and character to lead people in areas of unprecedented change and growth. These people are out of the box thinkers and can develop strong teams to ensure that goals are met. The skill set required here is beyond that of lower Federal positions, as members of the SES often must be pioneers in the areas of the specialty. As such, your ECQs must be exceptional and demonstrate you as a person of integrity, skill and experience.

In conclusion, your application for any Federal position is a package of your Federal resume and either ECQs or KSAs. Each document weighs heavily in the interview selection process and it is essential that you devote the time necessary to ensure that your package not only answers the posed questions, but highlights your skills, accomplishments and knowledge in a manner that demonstrates that you are the most highly qualified applicant in their pool of prospective employees.


Jennifer-Joy Bronk is an attorney licensed in Washington, DC. She has worked as the Legal Consultant for the Foreign Service Worldwide and has served on Capitol Hill. Further, she was on the Board of Directors for a large Foreign Service NGO. She is also a veteran Foreign Service Spouse. As a ResumeEdge consultant, Jennifer has written thousands of resumes and maintains a proven track record of ensuring that her clients secure interviews and ultimately land the job of their dreams. Request Jennifer for your Federal product by keying her last name only, no caps (bronk) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/services/federal-resume/index.php?nav=se.fed

The Best Way to Ask for a Raise

by Nancy Axelrad, ResumeEdge.com Editor

Need a Raise?

Do you deserve a pay raise but can't afford to wait until your next performance review in six months? Such requests are best put in writing. Choose your words carefully - the letter below is an example of what NOT to write to your boss.

Franny Franchise
Dollar Road
Out-of-Town, USA

Dear Sir or Madam:

I have worked my knuckles to the bone for you and what thanks do I get? Not even a pat on the back. I need to make more money. It's as simple as that. So, I want a raise. Let me know how much.

Workaholic Will

Diplomacy will promote Workaholic Will up the income ladder faster than a complaint. The following letter is a better approach because the writer is ready, "workaholic" willing, and able to take on more responsibility.

Hiring Manager
Big Deal Corporation
One Boulevard
Thousand Acres, USA

Dear Employer:

The past five years in your employ have proven to be a milestone in my career. As Senior Analyst, I have managed an increasingly complex business system. Recently I wrote and implemented a 500-page manual of standard operating procedures to ensure our leadership in global markets for the next five years. I worked many hours on this project, often on weekends, while handling my other duties. Since you expressed appreciation for my efforts, I hope you will agree that I deserve a merit-based increase retroactive to June 30.

If you are available this week to discuss my request, I can meet with you anytime at your convenience. Next week, I will be out of town Monday and Tuesday on the pending acquisition. As always, it’s a pleasure to accept this added responsibility.

I look forward to talking with you.

Respectfully,

Workaholic Will


Nancy Axelrad has created 2000+ letters and resumes, specializing in the healthcare industry, and has assisted students and professionals across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, Asia, and Australia. She has taught English Composition at the college level and conducted writing workshops at public and private schools. Nancy has a Master of Arts in Writing. Request Nancy for your resume or cover letter by keying in her last name only, no caps (axelrad) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/services/index.php?nav=se.home

How to Apply for Federal Jobs

Steps for Applying for Federal Jobs

by Robin Schlinger, ResumeEdge.com Editor and CFRW

If an applicant decides to apply for a federal job, there are several steps which must follow to achieve success. These steps include:

Find the positions to apply for
Identify the requirements for applying for each job / Match background and skills to the job requirements
Develop the application materials
Submit the application

Finding Positions to Apply For:

With the advent of the Internet, it is now easy to find job openings in the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a website, USAJobs, which allows potential applicants to search most positions being posted for civilian employees. If a user selects and enters in the appropriate search criteria – including job titles, job series, grade levels, agencies, special appointment status and position locations – one can find all the positions open that can be applied for. The search is very detailed in criteria, and is much easier to use then in the past. Positions from most Federal agencies are available using this system.

Identifying Job and Application Requirements (How to Read Job Announcements):

Once a job announcement is found, a potential applicant needs to determine the application requirements.

First, the announcement will indicate who may apply. If it is the Public, generally all US Citizens can apply for the job. If it is Status Candidates Only, one must read the announcement carefully to determine who is eligible. Generally, in this case, federal government employees, military spouses or veterans who have separated in the past 3 years or who are eligible for veteran preference points may be considered a Status Candidate. If it says Agency Employees Only and the applicant is not currently employed as a civil servant in that agency, the applicant is not eligible to apply

Second, the announcement will indicate the date the announcement closes. Application materials must be submitted according the instructions in the announcement by the closing date (and sometimes closing time). The announcement will detail how to submit materials – it is announcement specific. Depending on the announcement, an applicant may be required to file online, by fax, by email, by hand delivery or by mail.

Third, the position will indicate salary and grade level. Grade levels for jobs indicate the management level within the government – and the level of responsibility. Based on experience, veterans retiring at the E-7 level generally qualify for positions at the GS-9 level. O-3 professionals generally qualify at the GS-11 or 12 level; depending on area of expertise.

Fourth, the announcement will list the job duties – in most cases. A potential applicant should read the duties carefully – they contain the keywords required for the job. In general, the resumes selected for further consideration contain these keywords, with dynamic statements showing how the applicant has experience doing the duties required for the job. When one reads an announcement, they should ask themselves whether they have done that particular function previously AND if they have any demonstrated success in doing the function.

Fifth, the announcement will list the background requirements. For Federal jobs, unlike Civilian jobs, an applicant’s background MUST match the stated requirements for the job. For example, if a degree is stated as required, it is required. If certification, including DAWAI contracting certification, is stated as a requirement, it is required. If no candidates apply that meet the requirements, the agency will cancel the announcement and rewrite and repost the position again.

Sixth, the announcement may indicate if KSAs or other essays, including Selective Preference Factors, Technical Qualifications or Professional Qualifications are required. In addition, the announcement may indicate that multiple choice questions also will need to be answered. Note, if the announcement is for some online formats, including QuickHire or USAJOBS, the KSAs or other questions will not be in the actual announcement. Instead, they are found during the application process. In order to find the vacancy questions, an applicant may need to start the application just to find the KSA or other questions. For AVUE announcements, not all KSAs are asked at all levels, and again, an application needs to be started just to find out the required KSAs. Generally, but not always, the Resumix formats do not require separate KSAs.

If an announcement has KSAs, they must be written. A potential applicant should read each KSA and ask themselves if they have any experience or background in the question being asked. If not, the announcement may not be the right one to apply for.

Seventh, the announcement will indicate how to apply. If the announcement indicates a resume or OF-612 is acceptable for application, a paper resume will need to be developed. If an online format is required, generally a link or an “Apply Online” button is shown on the announcement. Clicking on the link or button will bring the user to the agency’s website with further instructions on how to apply for the job. There are many different online formats, including Air Force Resumix (only used for some Air Force jobs – others use a paper resume), Army Resumix, Navy Resumix, AVUE, QuickHire, USAJobs and others. It is complicated, and the requirements for these formats change regularly. Each online resume version has specific length and informational requirements.

Eight, the announcement may indicate other documentation is required. Carefully read each announcement and send the information required. If it is not asked for, do not send it.

Develop Application Materials:

Once an applicant determines the application requirements, the application materials must be developed. Federal Resumes must conform to specific informational requirements. They must include ALL the information required, or the application may be discarded. Based on the announcement and application format, a federal resume generally includes the following information

Job Information:

Announcement number, and title and grade(s) which are being applied for

Personal Information:

Full name, mailing address (with ZIP code)
Home, cell and work phone numbers (with area code)
E-Mail address
Social Security Number
Country of citizenship (most federal jobs require United States citizenship)
Veterans' preference
Highest Federal civilian grade held (give job series and dates held)
Professional summary – written in 3rd person

Work Experience:

Job title (include series and grade if federal job – level in military if a veteran)
Employer’s name and full address, including street address, city, state and ZIP code
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (month and year) [note: some formats require month, date and year]
Hours per week
Salary
Indicate if current supervisor may be contacted
Job duties – include quantification and keywords in the announcement – written in 3rd person
Job accomplishments – include quantification – in the challenge-action-result format – written in 3rd person

Education:

For colleges and universities:
Name, city, state and ZIP Code
Major(s), Type and year of any degrees received
GPA
Total credits and types of credits earned, i.e. quarter, credit or semester hours.
Honors
Course list
Note: only list accredited colleges listed at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.asp. If an applicant lists degrees from schools not on the accreditation list, they may be subject for disqualification from federal employment and in some states also subject to criminal prosecution.
For high school: Date of diploma or GED, high school name, city, state and ZIP Code

Other Qualifications:

Job-related training courses, including course title, date (may be year or month and year), course duration (hours, days or months)
Certifications and licenses (include Secret or Top Secret clearance here)
Job-related skills, for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed
Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards

The exact format of the resume, as noted above, will differ, depending on the application requirements. However, much, if not all, the information above is required for developing a federal resume.
For some applications – including written applications, a Cover Letter can help summarize an applicant’s background and experience for the hiring authority.

Robin Schlinger, a Certified Federal Resume Writer, specializes in writing Federal resume packages for all levels, from entry to SES. Her expertise is adding value, based on over 20 years in senior level engineering andbusiness positions for Fortune 500 companies. Robin holds a BS in ChemicalEngineering from MIT. Request Robin for your Federal product by keying her last name only, no caps (schlinger) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/services/federal-resume/index.php?nav=se.fed

Networking for Novices: It's All in Who You Know

Heading off to another conference and dreading the schmoozing scene? It might help to know that networking is a critical element of a successful job search. In fact, there is a lot of truth to the saying, "It's all in who you know."

Many jobs, particularly high-level and executive, fill through word of mouth, rather than through traditional channels. A solid grasp of networking basics keeps you in the loop and helps avoid the urge to skip networking opportunities.

Network here, there, and everywhere

Conferences and seminars are great places to meet influential people, but making contacts doesn't necessarily have to take place in hotel conference rooms. Day-to-day functions and events in your current job, as well as during free time, offer many opportunities to meet important people. An invitation you received to your neighbor's holiday party could be the perfect chance to meet that CEO or HR manager living around the block.

In this age of technology, your laptop is an invaluable friend when it comes to job searching. With a little Internet surfing, you will find an abundance of message boards and chat rooms that are industry-specific and provide not only the advice of other professionals, but also contacts that could prove useful down the road. Over time, networking helps you build a list of valuable contacts.

Networking is not a bad word

Some people dread the idea of networking because they equate it with "schmoozing" or "sucking up," but it is simply a process of getting to know people. If you are friendly and good at making small talk in social and work-related settings, then your list of "Who's Who" will grow quickly! Don't stress yourself by the idea of having to be "on" and making a good impression.

Basic social skills will get you through your first few rounds of networking, and while you may not impress everyone you meet, you can avoid leaving bad impressions altogether by doing your best to make sure people remember your name.

Try sticking with these basics:

Relax. People can tell if you are nervous or anxious, but you don't need to be - most of them are doing the same thing as you. Don't get hung up on titles. For the most part, everyone is approachable, and if they aren't, move on.

Be yourself. You know how to talk to people. Don't over think it. Talk about whatever makes sense. Wander the room, hit the buffet, do what seems natural. Inevitably, a situation will arise where you can break the ice and start a conversation. There is always something to talk about, even the weather!

Make eye contact and smile. It makes you appear sincere and interested. If you come across as distracted, or let your attention wander, it will show and it is downhill from there.

Be polite. Put your best manners on display. Be a good listener and don't interrupt. Avoid making rude or biased comments, and end conversations gracefully. If you've done the job right, you might even score a business card before you go.

Follow up. If you connected with someone and discussed the possibility of working together, follow up with him or her a few days later. Schedule lunch or arrange a formal meeting to discuss future endeavors.

If you leave a function empty-handed, don't be discouraged. You win some, you lose some. There will be other opportunities to meet people and hone your networking skills.

Market Yourself with a Resume that Gets Results

Your resume should be like any good marketing plan — designed to sell! It needs to hook potential employers as soon as they see it, so they bypass the discard pile and take a second look. Creating a resume that accomplishes that can't be done in just a few minutes because there's much more to it than listing your work history and year of graduation. Try thinking of it as an art form, because it is. Great resumes get a second look and an interview, but bad ones don't get a second thought.

If you're serious about scoring as many interviews as you can and for the jobs you really want, then learning how to market yourself with a resume that grabs attention should be one of your top priorities. This is the only way you'll stand out from the crowd.

Know the Market

Advertising companies do market research before they put together an ad campaign. Why? Because they need to know who they're selling to and what those people want. The same strategy should apply to your job search. You have to know what jobs are available to know how to market yourself to them. Scour the job boards and classifieds to see what's out there, and know what kind of job you're looking for — finding a job can be pretty tough if you have no goals or ideas about what you want to do.

Target Your Resume

Determine which jobs you're interested in and target your resume to each one. Don't submit the same version of it for every job you apply for — change words and move things around so your resume uses some of the same lingo as the job descriptions. Use keywords to highlight your experience and accomplishments that best match those sought for each job. Your goal should be to match the content of your resume as much as possible to the qualifications and duties described in each job notice.

Make It Stand Out

A visually appealing and easy-to-read resume gets attention. Skip the fancy fonts, long paragraphs, and flowered stationary. Use as few words as possible and make creative use of white space, bold letters, sectioning, and bullets. A potential employer should be able to scan over your resume quickly to determine if it deserves a longer look. You want them to notice what's great about your resume, not the color of the paper.

Shift Your Priorities

For each job you apply to, shift items around on your resume so that the first thing any potential employer sees is exactly what they're looking for. If they're specifically looking for someone who speaks Swahili, put it at or near the beginning of your resume (as long as you actually speak it, of course!) It's a simple strategy — the things they want go first, the things that are less appealing or less important to the job go last.

Highlight What's Important

Yes, you are multi-talented and of course, your resume needs to sum up your skills and abilities. However, you don't need to list everything. You just need to let them know what skills you have that are assets for the job.

As far as your education goes, unless you're right out of school, your degree doesn't need to be the first thing people see on your resume. If you've been working for five years or more, list your education last and focus on your skills and accomplishments. However, if you're just starting out, it's perfectly acceptable to list your degrees, as well as your GPA, courses relevant to your job search, and any awards or scholarships you've earned.

Any special training you've completed should be included, so long as it's pertinent to the job at hand (so skip the blurb about Clown School if you're applying for an accounting job).

Share Your Story

Job history is important, but to highlight your experience that best relates to the job, a chronological rundown may not always be the best approach. You may want to consider emphasizing what you know instead of what you've done, although in most cases, a job timeline is more than adequate.

Accomplishments you've made on the job could be included in your job history, or they could be highlighted separately on your resume, along with off-the-job accomplishments and any special skills you can bring to the table. Decide how you want to emphasize these aspects of yourself so employers will notice what's most important to them.

Perfecting your resume can be tough, but it really does help to think of it as a marketing tool. Know your audience and tailor your resume to them each time. If you don't, you may not appeal to the people who are reading it. With a little time and patience — and perhaps a little extra advice — you can put together a resume that's sure to get you in the door for an interview. The rest is up to you!