To effectively prepare a resume that will place you in front of a company's hiring authority, you must first fully understand what a resume is and how it will be received. As a recruitment specialist, I have spent a great deal of time reviewing resumes and have literally read hundreds. The following is an insight into my resume review practice and why certain resumes merit more time than others.

Having spent many hours of my life reviewing resumes I have become quite proficient in a "Quick Glance" method of evaluation. I will scan the resume looking for key words or experiences within specific companies to determine their suitability as matches regarding active searches. If deemed suitable they are placed into a further review file. This evaluation may take as little as 10 - 30 seconds.

Certain resumes however will grab my attention and almost demand to be read from start to finish. These resumes tend to be word efficient but effectively hit upon all the key points of an advertised position. Candidates writing these resumes have taken the time to tailor them to a specific position. As a result I will take the time to thoroughly read and then set aside these resumes for further review. Below are four key points that make a resume successful and almost guarantee placement in a company's review fie.

Your resume is a selling tool that outlines your skills and experiences so an employer can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the employer's workplace.

Your resume has to sell you in short order. While you may have all the requirements for a particular position, your resume is a failure if the employer does not instantly come to the conclusion that you "have what it takes." The first hurdle your resume has to pass--whether it ends up in the "consider file" or the "reject file"--may take less than thirty seconds.

The most effective resumes are clearly focused on a specific job title and address the employer's stated requirements for the position. The more you know about the duties and skills required for the job--and organize your resume around these points--the more effective the resume.

You will need information to write a good resume. Not just information about jobs you've held in the past but also information to select the most relevant accomplishments, skills and experience for THIS position. The more you know about the employer and the position, the more you can tailor your resume to fit the job.

A tailored resume takes time and effort but remember it is a written reflection of you!

Having your resume stand out from the rest is certainly worth the effort if it lands you an opportunity to interview for your ideal position.