4 Basics Steps That Cement the Foundation of Your Resume's Success

In times of greater competition for jobs - no matter what level of the workforce we're talking about - you need to raise your resume game. And that's true whether you're submitting resumes by hand (some people still do!), by email, or through a resume distribution service.

Some people elect to do this by using a paid resume writing service, and that's certainly a viable option, too. But for those folks who either can't afford or can't see the value in such a service, there are some basic steps they can take to improve their resumes and make them stand up to a close read by a hiring manager, headhunter, recruiter, or other employment professional.

What follows are the four basics. Get these right, and your resume foundation will be rock-solid.

1. Active verbs. Resumes which use active verbs throughout are much more interesting and compelling to read than a resume with passive be/do/have verbs.

2. Customization. One resume does not fit every company. Invest a little time to tweak it for the specific company, and all other things being equal, your results are bound to improve.

3. Hard results. Numbers, dollars, percentages. There's no arguing the kind of effect you could have on a new company if you can bring the incontrovertible proof of your value to light on your resume. Being able to quantify your past performance makes it easier for a hiring manager to imagine what you could do for them.

4. What do you want? If I had a nickel for every time this question got asked of a job seeker, and the job seeker had no clear answer besides "More money," I'd be cruising with my whole family on the Voyage of the Vikings every year until I die. Think about your whole career path, where your next position fits in on that timeline, the kind of life you want outside of work, and how your new position can best support that vision. Then, and only then, will you be able to start applying for the right jobs for you, and you'll improve your odds of landing that perfect job.

Of course, these are just four basic elements of the "meta" of the resume - how the writing of the resume is actually done. There's a lot more to consider, from formatting to the level of detail you deliver about previous positions, how far back you go, and having the content support the job you want instead of the jobs you've had.

But even if you get all of that right, it'll be ignored if you've blown the basics.