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With jobs more difficult to find and competition fierce, you need any edge that will make your job hunt easier, or at the very least, more organized. A great job may conceivably have over one hundred applicants, so it is hard to make yourself visible without being overly aggressive or too pushy. The way you step ahead of the pack is simply by taking some of the right steps that make any employer notice you.

First, you need clarity in your own mind concerning the type of job for which you will be applying. If you are unsure where to begin, plan your job search according to your qualifications and life interests. To simply look through help wanted ads or the Internet without knowing what you want in a job will waste a lot of your time and lead to almost inevitable discouragement.

The most important tangible item an employer sees is your resume. Without a polished, clean looking, and organized resume, you will not get your foot in the door for an interview, much less the position. Therefore make sure that you have all the pertinent information required on a typical resume, and verify that it reads well.

You can accomplish this by incorporating 'power' words that show off your responsibilities from prior jobs. Your resume should stand out without being "over the top." There are many online sites that help you learn how to prepare a great resume so your employers will be impressed by not only your credentials, but your professionalism as well.

A high quality resume will significantly improve your chances of receiving a call for an interview if you make sure you match your qualifications with the job you are pursuing. You do not want a resume that is too long (one page is preferable, two is maximum) or one that has too much fluff and is devoid of helpful content.

By sticking to the basics of work you have previously done and making it relevant to the job in which you are applying, you show the employer that you know their time is valuable by getting right to the point. Additionally, avoid writing a one-size-fits-all resume that is so generic it looks like a template. This is because most employers will simply spot your time-and-effort-savings technique and overlook your work.

If you have not had much relevant work experience but want to land the position with opportunities to move ahead down the road, consider adding some additional achievements in your resume. Make them factual and relevant to help your potential employer understand what you are capable of accomplishing.

This is a way of advertising yourself and which communicates you have the capability of handling the job successfully even if you haven't had much experience. Do not list any weak points on your resume; that is not the time to tell them what you cannot do. (Your weaknesses will likely be asked of you during an interview.)

Finally, make sure to spend a good amount of time writing and polishing your resume. It takes time to advertise yourself, and by putting it together quickly or haphazardly, you will only fail to make the positive impression that you need to stand out from the crowd.