A resume is like an advertisement promoting you, the job seeker. An ad placed in a crowded magazine or newspaper with similar ads has to attract attention, be easy to read and comprehend, and be full of benefits. Otherwise, the reader will pass right over it and not even see it.

A good resume will generate a positive response and move your job search into high gear. But there are additional self-marketing tips you must follow:

• Your resume must “Get an Interview”

The primary goal of a resume is to get an interview, which is an “order” for a preview of your product – YOU. Unfortunately, many resumes are versions of the one-page, standard reverse-chronological line-up that tells employers and recruiters very little about the person, and usually more about job duties and responsibilities. Personal branding, that combination of unique strengths, characteristics, and experience most relevant to the career goal and target audience, is rarely conveyed on the page.

•  Have the answer for this questions.

What industry is the employer in? What market niche? Where do they rank among their competitors?
What kind of job are you targeting? Is it entry-level? Senior management? In between?
What might the employer be looking for in terms of results?
How would your past experience, skills and knowledge be of value?

• Demonstrate: What You Can Do?

Your resume must clearly show what you can do for the employer by defining your track record: did you solve problems, innovate new products, increase sales, improve employee motivation, cut costs, streamline procedures, and so on.
You need to demonstrate these benefits in ways the employer values and can visualize. Use dollar figures, numbers, percentages, and descriptive results.
Relevant achievements, with clearly applicable benefits for the employer,remember the employers always have problems (challenges) to solve and will find ways to create positions for people they believe can deliver those solutions.

• Explain: Why Should the employer hire you?

Give the employer a good reason to invite you to an interview.  Outperform others with similar qualifications and experience by creating a resume that demonstrates you are productive (achievements), a continuous learner (nobody buys “old” knowledge), adaptable to change (jobs are now a series of project engagements), and a cooperative team player.
Be sure to include your personal branding differentiators, what makes you distinctive and memorable to others, in your resume. Follow that theme by including a discussion of your personal branding attributes, leadership style, and strengths when interviewing.

It does take time to develop a good resume. But the time you spend will be well invested. Perhaps you may want to hire a professional resume writer and certified personal branding strategist to partner with you in producing an interview-generating document that highlights your accomplishments and your personal brand.