Recruiters and hiring agents look for very specific bits of information on a candidate's resume. During a first pass they want to know a) what type of job you're looking for, b) what makes you qualified for it, and c) what makes you stand out from the competition. Here are 3 tips you can use ASAP to make sure your resume succeeds in these areas:

1) Insert the EXACT TITLE of the job you're applying for at the start of the resume

Many jobseekers make the mistake of beginning a resume with a boldfaced title description that tries to summarize what they're all about, such as "Executive-Level Operations Manager-Team Builder/Trainer-Six Sigma Expertise". While it's understandable to want to put your best foot forward, this approach causes confusion during the job search process! Your typical recruiter or hiring agent scans through hundreds of resumes for multiple open positions. Replace the boldfaced description with the EXACT TITLE of the job you're applying for, and swap this out between submissions. This will prevent your resume accidentally getting misfiled.

2) Only Emphasize RELEVANT Positions Within Your Work History

Space is always a precious commodity within the 2-3 pages of a resume. Don't waste it by emphasizing every job you've held equally. Take a close look at the last 10-12 years of your work history. Which positions are DIRECTLY RELEVANT to the type of job you're seeking? Which ones contain quantifiable accomplishments? These are the jobs that need to form the bulk of your resume. Start each of them with a brief paragraph describing unique responsibilities, followed by a "Key Accomplishments" section listing successes (in bullets). Older and non-relevant positions can either be placed within an "Additional Experience" section at the tail end of the work history, or else left off entirely.

3) Highlight Professional Certifications, Training, and Affiliations at the End of Your Resume

Don't make the mistake of treating closing sections as an afterthought! If you've recently undertaken career training, garnered a new certification, or become a member of a leading industry group, highlight them! This will help establish industry expertise and demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills, one of the most valuable assets you can have as an employee.

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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