by Randa Morris

Created on: November 19, 2008   Last Updated: January 21, 2009

Hello, welcome to my office. Today, you can think of me as your own personal employment counselor. What I want to do is help you create a resume that will get you not just any job, but the job you really want. "Can I do that?" you ask. "No, but you can. All you need is a little help, and that I can give you."

Let me start by asking you some simple questions.

1. What kind of job do you want?

The reason I am asking that question is that every resume you put together should be tweaked to reflect the kinds of skills and experience you currently possess, that will make you a great success in the specific position you are applying for. When I ask this question, I don't want to know what kind of job you think you can get, and I don't want to know what kind of job you usually get, I want to know what kind of job you really, really want.

2. What experience do you have in the job you are applying for?

A great work history will help, but even if you have no experience in this particular field, we can work around it. A good resume highlights your stregnths and downplays your weaknesses. It says very clearly "I am the person for this job."

Make a list of all the jobs you've had in the past. Next to each job you've held, write down one or more things that you learned while working that job.

3. What special skills do you have that can help in job you want?

You say you have no experience and no skills that would help you in this field? Sure you do. How about great communications skills? Would you say you are exceptionally organized? Are you a self starter, and an ambitious "go-getter? Those are the things that we want to bring out about you, in the finished resume.

4. What education do you have that will help you in this job?

Even if you don't have a formal degree, but you have indeed read every book on a subject related to the job, we can use that. If you've completed one or two classes on the subject, and done well, we can use that too. If not, have you thought about doing research on line, or taking a few free classes on "freeed.net? It will help if you do that.

5. What non-work related experience do you have, that will help you in this job?

Volunteer positions? Community clubs or organizations? Have you held any offices, such as financial secretary, president, or record keeper in these types of organizations? What about day to day life? Are you an amutuer photographer, or a computer whiz? Do you have hobbies that can demonstrate your knowledge and skill in these areas?

Choosing the

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