When you're in the midst of a job search, a resume can often feel like a constant work-in-progress. You're submitting to positions, sometimes receiving feedback on things to change, trying all the while to give potential employers the magic combination of information and accomplishments to garner an interview. Here's the one thing you NEED TO KNOW in order to successfully land a new position:

A RESUME MUST STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN COMMUNICATING WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT AND WHAT AN EMPLOYER NEEDS

Sounds pretty simple, right? Think it over. If all you're doing is tailoring each resume you send out to echo what's requested on a job posting, it MOST PROBABLY WON'T WORK. Why? Because hiring agents aren't looking for resumes that regurgitate job postings- they're looking to find a candidate who's particularly well-suited for the job. Someone who's demonstrated, time and time again, expertise in the field and can point to quantifiable accomplishments as proof.

Don't get me wrong. Tailoring a resume is definitely important in a successful job search, especially in terms of making sure relevant keywords are integrated. But here are the areas you need to focus on to ensure your resume STANDS OUT from the competition and starts landing you a steady stream of interviews:

1) A PERSONALIZED OPENING

Begin the resume with a brief paragraph, no more than 3-5 lines, describing your personal areas of expertise. Make sure they're skills which are in-line with the type of position you're seeking. For example, an IT Project Manager could talk about his/her ability to guide cross-functional teams, rigorously control costs, and maintain top-tier Quality standards. Don't be afraid to highlight a few soft skills here! For example, if you're particularly proud of your ability to strengthen communication channels or liaise with external agencies, SAY SO!

2) A WORK HISTORY THAT EXPANDS ON IDEAS BROACHED IN THE OPENING

Look over the jobs listed in your work history. How are responsibilities tackled? Instead of a random laundry list of tasks, think in terms of expanding on the ideas touched upon in the opening section. So, using the example above, an IT Project Manager could start by delving into the specifics of how he built/trained project teams, how he managed budgets and identified cost efficiencies, and how he improved Quality standards. Doing this CONSISTENTLY establishes a kind of personal theme for your resume and communicates what you're all about.

3) ADD LINKS TO RELEVANT SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE TAIL END OF THE RESUME

The name of the game here is RELEVANT. Don't just add in links to sites you don't frequently visit or utilize. However, if you've got a great LinkedIn profile with recommendations or contribute articles to a site like EzineArticles, by all means include it! This again helps to differentiate you from the competition and shows, in a concrete way, why you're deserving of a closer look.

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

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