What happens if you are a professional who has a great job history, lots of accomplishments, but you have a mediocre resume?

Well, often it means you hold yourself back from reaching your full career potential so that your compensation, level of responsibility and overall job satisfaction suffer.

Think of it this way: even securing interviews with a resume that just doesn’t cut it puts you in the challenging position of having to try to “sell up” from the “just okay” first impression your resume has already created for you in the eyes of the interviewer.

A smarter plan that will ultimately save you time, money and frustration is to start off on the right foot and create the best first impression possible. Here are ten steps to get you started:

Tip number one: start with a great heading
No, I don’t mean a one sentence objective or your current title. I mean two or three words that closely match your key skills, key industries or a combination thereof.

These grab the readers attention right away, so they need to be powerful, crystal clear and targeted. Check out my website for several samples.

Tip number two: make it stand out
A good design is eye-catching and professional. If you know basics in MS word (like how to create a shadow or a border), this should be easy for you to incorporate into your resume and cover letter. Be careful no to go overboard, though!

Tip number three: add lots of keywords
Keywords at the top of your resume that demonstrate both soft and hard skills help the reader separate out your strengths from your current and past employers. This makes it easier for the reader to connect with you and mentally “picture” you working with them!

Keywords also ensure the document can be quickly read or scanned to find a match between your skills and the target position.

Tip number four: bullet point your quantifiable achievements
Right at the top of the first page you should, if possible, lead with three to six bullets – each with a crystal clear sentence outlining your strengths.

Tip number five: spell out and BOLD your academic achievements Rather than writing MBA, write Masters of Business Administration (MBA), and BOLD your degree.

Tip number six: add the extras
Memberships, volunteer activities, certifications and training programs that are relevant to the position and industry you are seeking, should all be listed in your resume.

You can leave off personal information, such as family status, personal hobbies and statements such as “references upon request.”

Tip number seven: create an accomplishments summary
Under your professional experience, you should always call out your key accomplishments.

You can do this at the top of your professional experience (just group your accomplishments all in together) or as key points under each of your positions.

Don’t forget to BOLD your key accomplishments.

Tip number eight: create the right resume for you
Are you changing industries or building on the one you have been in for some time? Are you a legal professional or in academia?

Resume styles for these professions are all different, so make sure yours is the right style for your industry and/or position of choice.

Functional resumes are generally best for industry or position changes, chronological for staying in your industry.

Tip number nine: sell your present and past employers
Add a favorable sentence or two about each employer as you list each position (ex: ABC Company is a 50 million dollar provider of award-winning widgets with three divisions and 450 employees).

Tip number ten: quantify your accomplishments
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is communicating a menu of responsibilities without completing the story.

Employers want to know “WHAT HAPPENS” when you do what you do, so help them understand why they should hire you by telling them the results of your responsibilities.

Granted, these tips are just the tip of the iceberg, but making sure they are incorporated into your resume can make a difference in the quantity and quality of interviews you get!

Are you like so many people I have been talking with recently that are frustrated with their job search?

If so, I would like to invite you to join me for an absolutely fr^ee, no strings attached teleseminar titled:

How to Find a Job in Days, Not Weeks

I recently shared with you in my ezine that one of my goals for 2009 was to help as many job seekers as I could. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than with a program that can turn your “frustration” into “excitement!”

Date: Tuesday January 20th, 2009

Time: 5pm CST

Register here now:

http://maryelizabethbradford.com/findjobindays.php
*When you register, you will receive the call-in information.

Hosted by two of the country’s leading experts on job search techniques:

* Mary Elizabeth Bradford, a certified resume writer and job search coach with an executive recruiter background, creates custom, turnkey job search strategies and marketing materials for her clients, helping them to easily and quickly attract the attention they deserve. Her strategy leverages research, detail and focus.

* Mark Hovind of JobBait.com helps executives find jobs by going directly to the decision-makers most likely to hire them. His specialties include value proposition letters, targeting, mailing list (CEOs, Presidents, etc.), websites and video clips. His strategy leverages quality, volume, and speed.

Mark and Mary Elizabeth have combined forces to help job-seekers find a job as fast as possible, specifically in the hidden job market.

Please note: this teleseminar is for serious-minded job seekers who are willing to commit to do what it takes to land their next position. Come prepared to take notes and feel that mix of euphoria and relief when we show you the light at the end of the tunnel!

***Only 98 spots available – this call will fill quickly!***

Register here now:

http://maryelizabethbradford.com/findjobindays.php

Inspiring your success,

Mary Elizabeth

P.S. At the end of this teleseminar, you will KNOW which decision-makers to contact and have several options to reach them right now…today if you want to.

P.P.S. There is no catch except that once you find a job, we ask that you “pay it forward” and don’t forget to share your story with us!