With so many out of work or looking to change jobs, how do you make your resume stand out from the rest?  Here are the do's and don'ts of resume writing.

You say to yourself day after day, "I'm a good person and a hard worker. Why can't I find a job?" Maybe it's your resume. Here are a few things to do and not to do when writing your resume.

Don't Write Out an Objective

Once upon a time, job seekers were encouraged to spell out what they were hoping for in their career field. Great for the seeker, but the boss doesn't care. Why? They are looking for someone to help meet their goals, not someone who is trying to figure theirs out. Instead, write out your objective or mission statement and keep it to yourself. That way you still have it in your mind and can still work toward it.

Don't Mention Money

Leave negotiations for when you actually have the job. They may call you because you low balled yourself, or they may throw your resume in the trash because you want too much. Instead, if the job asks for salary requirements, keep it as broad as possible.

Don't Use the Same Resume

It's so easy to just write your resume and fire it off over and over again, but if you're applying for several jobs in one company, you're going to look like a robot. Instead, tailor your resume for the specific job description. Even if you're applying for the same job at several different companies, write a slightly different resume for each one. The job may seem the same, but the job description could be a little different for each one.

Don't Forget the Cover Letter

This goes hand in hand with the above point. Just like you shouldn't use the same resume for each job, you shouldn't use the same cover letter. Your cover letter is your chance to toot your own horn, highlight your accomplishments and tell the reader that you understand the field and how the company operates so tailor the cover letter for exactly what they want out of their candidate.

Don't Embellish

You want that call, and a good boss is going to check your facts. Don't embellish your resume so much so that when they Google you or ask a reference about something the answer isn't, "What? No. They never did that." The truth will come to light pretty quickly. Instead, if there's a situation that needs explaining, do it in your cover letter.

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