Let's face it, the job search process can be extremely difficult and the job market is becoming more and more competitive. Think of your resume as your tool, not for getting a job, but for getting an interview. Your resume has to stand out and impress the person reading it within a matter of just a few seconds or it runs the risk of being tossed aside in favor of a more impressive resume. Here are four tips on making your resume the best it can be.

Be Specific
When writing your resume, never sell yourself short. If you were an accountant at your previous job and you managed hundreds upon hundreds of accounts, make that fact known. When you list your responsibilities you had in that position, be sure to include accomplishments. Take the time to consider things you contributed to the company and include these in your resume. Employers want to hire someone who has been a valuable employee before because this means he or she will most likely be valuable to them.

Adapt Your Resume to the Job
If you are sending out the same resume for every resume you are applying for, you may be wasting your time. You are more likely to get a positive response when you include in your resume key words from the job description. Try to analyze the job description for every position you apply for and try to incorporate, truthfully of course, these words into your work history. This will get you noticed faster by employers as they are rifling through giant stacks of resumes.

Include Examples of Your Strengths
If you include in your resume a list of qualifications or strengths, make sure you tie these to past work experience or outcomes. For example, if you say that you are good at multi-tasking and are detail-oriented, include examples in your description of at least one past position that demonstrates these qualities.

Prioritize Your Information
When writing a description of your accomplishments and responsibilities, prioritize your information. Put the most impressive details of your employment at the top of your list. This keeps employers from getting bored with other, less impressive details and moving on before reaching the really impressive point. Saving the best for last is never a good strategy to use when creating a resume.