This article offers a few tips necessary to making a resume stand out. With over 16 million people out of work and looking for jobs, your resume has to get the attention of your audience. Drafting a resume can be a challenge, especially if it has been a while since you have updated yours. The following three tips will help you improve your chances of getting noticed when making a resume by avoiding specific pitfalls.

Tip #1: Use the spell checking feature on your personal computer. I know, you have heard this before, yet I can not overstate this. Human resource representatives still list this oversight as their number one gripe. Carefully review each word for spelling and each sentence for content and structure. There is no excuse for spelling errors. If you lack attention to this detail when making a resume, how can you possibly convince the employer that you have the necessary attention to detail and organizational skills to perform the duties of the position?

Tip #2: Choose the best format to highlight your advantages. When making a resume, your desired result is getting noticed and earning a positive response. If you have an employment gap or if you are changing fields, stay away from a chronological resume format. The functional or blended format will highlight your skills and help take the focus off of your employment gap or career change. These two formats put your transferable skills, education and your brand/unique selling proposition up front and center.

Tip #3: Review your contact information. What impression are you making with your e-mail address? Your contact information needs to represent you in a professional manner. If you are going to include your cell phone number for follow up, make sure your message is professional. If an employer calls you and, instead of a ring, they are forced to listen to a song, this may set a bad tone for the phone call. Similarly, if you are going to include your e-mail, make sure your e-mail address is professional and represents you. Steer clear of silly, sexual, or sophomoric addresses.

Making a resume takes effort. It is a fact that many out of work professionals are providing sloppy and disorganized resumes, in a crowded market this is one simple way to give you a slight leg up. Your resume is in fact the first impression you make on your audience. First impressions are critical as you only have a small window to gain the attention of the audience. Avoid these pitfalls and you will have more success in advancing yourself to the interview.

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