When applying for a new jobs, always read through the job description thoroughly before submitting your cover letter and resume. Many employers are actually looking for what they've written right in the job description – nothing less and nothing more – although they'll always make exceptions if you're overqualified and ready to take a salary cut. Before you even think of applying for a job in an ad, review your resume against the requirements listed to see if your resume reflects a good fit.



The experience section of your resume is the hardest part to write or customize, no matter what field you're in and where you are looking to step on the ladder. It's important to realize that professional experience should experience from previous jobs as well as demonstrate your skills to employers in a way that wants them to find out more about your qualifications in person. A good summary of your previous duties will make an employer curious about your accomplishments on the job, and it's important to mention some of these accomplishments in your resume to tease them into an interview, as well. Employers always understand awards, numbers, and clients.

Always begin your job descriptions powerfully, with a verb. Verbs are great for electronic resume scans, too - use words and phrases that are appropriate for your industry. (i.e. Progammed, designed, created...if you are in the computer field.) Be specific with your accomplishments – if you designed 25 new computer applications in a year or saved the company the embarrassment of 20 new glitches in one online application, don't be afraid to share this information. The only way your statements can create a true impact is if you include figures. You don't have to do this for every skill – focus on the skills you believe have the most impact on the job you're applying for.

Of course, are always a few general skills employers look for that are never spelled out in the job description itself, and are usually a given. They're also the type of skills that are the easiest to lose a job over if you lack them. Typically called employability skills, these are skills beyond specific technical skills that make you a professional in your field.

The employability skills are usually related to:

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

• Initiative skills

• Planning and organizational skills

• Self-management

• Learning skills

• Technology skills

Most people who have held jobs have these skills – but are they reflected on your resume? If not, go over it again. If not, let your prospective employer know that yes, you are a team player, you communicate well, and will show initiative when needed. Employers appreciate seeing these skills mentioned in black and white – and it's easy to add in a mention of a project in which you were required you to work on a team, under deadline, or as a self-starter.

These skills are just as critical to your ability to do a great job as your professional experience and education – employers are looking for someone who will be a great fit on their team and in their organization, someone who works well under pressure but also has a sense of humor and has a balance between their personal and professional life.

When you do a final review of your resume and cover letter, make sure that you have covered all of your professional bases, creating a well-rounded, professional image that fits your target employer's wants and needs perfectly. It's easy to market yourself once you see what the employer really wants – and how to give it to them. Once you're into the swing of it, job hunting can be exciting and help you discover that you have more skills than you really though you had – and help you add new skills to the professional mix.