Courtesy of Susan Guarneri, Career Assessment Goddess

1. Get FOCUSED – what specific type of occupational field, what level within that field, and industry are you targeting? Trying to be all things to all people in a “generic” resume just doesn’t work anymore. Resume keyword-sniffing technology mandates that the job seeker and career advancer identify exactly what they are going after and then crafting their marketing message around that.

2. Get BRANDED – differentiation is key to career and job search success. I know you will lots to say about that, Winnie!

3. Get UP-TO-DATE EDUCATION – don’t assume that Bachelor’s Degree you got 10 (or even 20) years ago suffices anymore. Employers want to see that you are actively engaged in learning about advancements in your field and acquiring new skills and knowledge. They don’t want to be the ones to have to train you on what you should already know!

4. BONUS: Keep track of your ACCOMPLISHMENTS – they are the “meat” that makes up the resume main course. Without relevant and convincing results, you may be perceived as just a “seat warmer” in your current (or past) jobs. That’s not exactly a stellar approach to securing a potential new employer’s interest. BUT, benefits are! And what better place to showcase the benefits of hiring you than by demonstrating what you’ve been able to accomplish for others.