Keep in mind when writing your resume that employers sometimes see hundreds of resumes for every job opening, and therefore do not have the time or interest in reading a comprehensive history of each candidate’s life story to date.

Your resume should be a concise document – one page, preferably – that succinctly describes the key points and accomplishments of each job.  As a general rule, don’t go back more than 10 or 15 years in your job history.

When creating a job description, list only your major functions; you don’t need to lay out every detail.   A common mistake is describing too much industry-specific or company-specific jargon.  Never assume employers will understand what you mean.

Additionally, use action words, and make the description achievement-oriented.  For example, stating that you affected a 15 percent increase in overall sales is much more impressive to potential employers than simply saying that you managed a team of sales representatives.

It’s helpful to take a close look at the job description for the position you want, and make sure each of the major duties mentioned is covered on your resume.  Unrelated job responsibilities can generally be left off.

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