BEEFING UP AN ANEMIC RESUME

To make your resume more impactful, highlight the aspects of your background that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Doing so will present yourself in the best possible light and help the employer see how useful you could be to their company.

Here are some areas you can focus on to make your candidacy more attractive:

Professional achievements. For example, if you're in sales, a potential employer will want to know how big your sales are and how you compare them to your peers. Let the employer know if you've won accolades or achieved objectives and whether your organization has made money.

Educational accomplishments. Be sure to list your degree(s), coursework, thesis, dissertation, or specialized training. If you have received any honors, such as Dean's List, Cum Laude, or Phi Beta Kappa, be sure to mention those too. You might also want to include additional areas of competency, such as computer software fluency or the dollar amount of monthly raw materials purchased.

Professional designations. By all means, let the reader know if you're licensed or certified in your field of expertise or if you're a member of a trade association.

Success indicators. You should include anything in your background that sets you apart as a leader or a producer. If you worked full-time to get yourself through school and earned an education, consider it a success indicator and mention it on your resume.

Related experience. List any skills and experiences relevant to your prospective employer's needs. If your job necessitates international travel or communications, for example, put down your language abilities. Let the reader know if you worked as a co-op student in college, particularly in an industry in which you're now working.

Military history. Describe your length of service, a branch of service, rank, special training, medals, and discharge and/or reserve status if you served in the military. Employers typically respond favorably to military service history.

Security clearances. Some workplaces require a clearance in order to be hired or promoted. If you're hoping to work in industries such as aerospace or defense, list your current and/or highest clearable status on your resume and whether you've been specially checked by an investigative agency.

Citizenship (or right to work). If so, this should be stated. If your industry demands it, you should mention dual citizenship. It's also good to indicate if you hold dual citizenship, especially if you think you'll be working in a foreign nation.

With so many people vying for the same jobs, employers often Zero in on qualities that make one candidate stand out from the rest. A few years ago, I helped an engineering manager update his resume. He mentioned that he was a three-time national power speed boat champion. Not surprisingly, after potential employers saw this listed on his resume, several of them wanted to interview him immediately.