To start with, it's all about your resume.

You've just seen your dream job advertised. You've got the skills, you've got the experience and you've got the burning ambition. All you need is a shot at an interview to convince the boss you'd be perfect but they haven't seen your resume yet - and do you really want them to in its current state? Remember recruiters and employers first impression of you often comes from several pieces of paper and that is what differentiates you from the other 200 people applying for the same job.

A few tips before you begin

1. Don't be modest.
Many of us are hesitant to put down just how much we have done, or how good we are. A resume is like a sales prospectus, and you are the product. Don't over do it but don't under do it.

2. Talk about what you've done that shows how good you are.
The statement: "Effectively managed a diverse population of 30 computer professionals to become a cohesive working team" is effective; "Am excellent with people and have great managerial skills" is not.

"Consistently exceeded production quotas by 30 to 50 %" is effective; "Am very good at getting a lot of work done" is not.

3. Keep it honest.
You want to say as much as you can that's positive about yourself, but remember, if the resume works, it will get you an interview with someone who'll probably be looking right at it during that interview. Don't ever put in anything you can't justify or comfortably explain.

4. Presentation is important.
While the content of your resume is the most important thing, the visual appearance can make a big difference. If your resume is packed with great information, but appears crowded and hard to read, a busy recruiter or employer might just not take the time to go through it with the care it deserves. Unfair? Of course, but this is the real world.
Use indentations, bullet points, and lots of white space. Simple things like lining up the indents (or tabs) so they all start at the same place can make a resume look more attractive. It is subtle, but if a hiring manager is looking for an "easy read", it can make a big difference! Margins should be equal, there should not be too many graphics, and watch the grammar and spelling!

Of course, the resume should be written in your own words, but if grammar is not your strength, have someone else double check your resume.

5. Use the appropriate amount of space.
If you've been in the work force for five years, and are applying for your second job, using a five page resume would not be helpful. No one wants to look through a lot of padding with no substance.

On the other hand, if you've been working for twenty years and have lots of experience and several jobs, trying to compress it into one page will never do you justice. In that case, forget the so called "experts" that say to put it on one page, and use the space you need to get the job done right (and get the job!). This is especially true if you have a difficult situation such as changing careers, or a scattered work history.

Three-four pages should be the maximum and don't include copies of all your certificates and transcripts - take them with you to the interview if they are relevant.

6. Make sure it's right!
As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If your prospective employer is getting dozens (or even hundreds) of resumes, unless you can get their attention, it doesn't matter if you are the most qualified applicant, they'll never know it.

Even if you do get the interview, if your resume is mediocre, that interview will start with you having an uphill battle to counter a weak first impression. Take the time to get your resume right! If you can't do it yourself, then seek assistance from a professional who can give you that extra edge.

Many successful, talented, and creative people, who are excellent in their professions, still choose to have help with their resumes. They know that their talents lie in other directions, and want every possible advantage for their careers. That's part of why they're successful in the first place!

Staff it has many more tips for how to get that job. Speak to your Account Executive today who will be happy to provide you with advice. Happy job seeking!