Survey Shows Employability Skills and Attributes Are Just As Important as Job-Specific Skills

You’re a trained accountant and feel confident that your skills make you a competitive applicant. But what about your “employability skills and attributes”? What’s that? You ask. In an article published in the PalmBeachPost.com, career consultant Toby Loskove says that employers are equally concerned with non-technical abilities, known as employability skills, as they are with your work experience and job-specific skills. He says, “The responsibility for showing off employability skill attributes, even when the employer doesn’t ask questions that relate to these abilities, is that of the job seeker. Attitude and responses should reflect that they are a part of how you do your job.”

There are countless employability skills: teamwork, problem-solving, time-management, organization, etc. There are also countless employability attributes: loyalty, commitment, enthusiasm, motivation, etc. Chances are you possess many of each, but how do you know which are most important?

There are countless employability skills: teamwork, problem-solving, time-management, organization, etc. There are also countless employability attributes: loyalty, commitment, enthusiasm, motivation, etc. Chances are you possess many of each, but how do you know which are most important?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) published a press release in March, 2007 announcing their Job Outlook survey results. The 267 employers surveyed named communication skills and honesty as the most desired skills and/or qualities of job candidates.

“Communication skills have topped the list for eight years, and honesty and integrity have tied for the top spot for the last three years,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. This seems to indicate more than a trend.

Employers are looking for other employability skills and attributes as well. Interpersonal skills, motivation and initiative, strong work ethic, and teamwork skills were also cited as important attributes.

“Certainly, having the requisite skill set to perform the duties of the job is critical, but much of what employers prize can’t be taught in the classroom,” says Mackes. “As a result, they look for evidence beyond grades that the candidate has these ’soft skills’ and attributes.”

Still not quite sure what employability skills you possess? There are tools available to help you determine what your strengths are, including the Employability Skills Assessment (ESA) created by the University of Georgia’s College of Education. You can find similar tools on the internet.

Once you recognize what employability skills and attributes you possess, how do you showcase them in a job interview? Development and public relations consultant Mary Beth Fleck says, “Job seekers should have prepared statements ready that demonstrate these special qualities, in addition to the required job specific or technical skills.” Her examples include, “I can be relied upon to take charge of the responsibilities immediately. My experience with fund development database systems and my ability to communicate and to establish relationships will increase planned giving efforts. Because of my energy and focus in solving problems rapidly, I can be counted on to complete each project within your time frame expectations.”

The important thing is that you communicate with potential employers those employability skills and attributes you possess. Don’t be shy; this is your chance to show employers that you are their ideal candidate!

In this information age, it’s important for the career-minded to discover new and powerful ways of promoting themselves. Numerous advances in technology require you to take advantage of these new methods of communication, especially the Internet. It’s important that you continue to promote yourself, regardless of whether or not you’re currently employed. And you may be surprised at just how powerful a positive electronic presence can be. Here are four ways you can promote yourself, virtually.

Mind your email correspondence

You’d be surprised at how your email correspondence can leave a lasting impression with potential employers and colleagues. Unfortunately, too many people are a bit sloppy with their email correspondence, making it difficult to promote your correspondence, let alone your career. Remember that regardless of the medium, anytime you communicate with professionals, you should use standard grammar and text formatting. All caps leave the impression that you’re shouting at the receiver while avoiding standard punctuation communicates laziness or disrespect. Craft email messages to business associates as you would a memo, with keen attention to the language.

Maintain professionalism when instant messaging or texting

These days you’ll find a lot of professionals communicating with others via instant messaging or texting. Again, sometimes the method of communication may tempt you be more casual in your correspondence. However, you must still maintain your professionalism.

Participate in online networking

There are countless accounting, bookkeeping and tax associations you can join that will help you network electronically. Some require you pay membership fees in order to enjoy certain benefits; others are free. All these associations provide you with opportunities to interact with other accounting professionals like yourself. Here are just a few:

American Accounting Association (AAA) promotes worldwide excellence in accounting education, research and practice. A voluntary, the AAA is an organization of persons interested in accounting education and research.

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) the National Association of Accountants (NSA) membership and encourages its students and associates to join NSA’s elite association in order to enjoy valuable benefits. This is one organization that we know will contribute to your success.

American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA) enables women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession.

National Association of Accountants (NSA) is an association of over 30,000 accounting professionals who provide accounting, tax, auditing, financial and estate planning, and management services to millions of individuals and businesses.

Consider starting your own career-centered website or blog

While having a hardcopy of your resume is important, you should consider creating a professional website that allows you to list professional accomplishments that future employers would find impressive. In this sense, your professional website becomes an electronic resume, demonstrating your experience and expertise while enabling visitors to contact you, regardless of where they may be located.

Blogs are becoming increasingly popular. Short for “weblog,” a blog is a journal or newsletter intended for public consumption. Many professionals are creating blogs that demonstrate their ability in a very concrete way; the author articulates their thoughts and ideas on very specific topics, and as an accountant you would be expected to discuss issues relating to accounting. Visit Accountants Who Blog for examples of career-minded blogs. Another good example of a professional blog is authored by Allen Bostrom, President and CEO of Universal Accounting Center. His blog offers practical advice to other accountants and tax professionals. Take a look to see what you can learn from Allen’s Blog.

It’s important that you keep up with this information age, because technology will only advance, not retreat. And in order for your career to advance, you must keep current and use technology as just another means of promoting yourself.

References
Accountants Who Blog
American Accounting Association
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
American Society of Women Accountants
National Association of Accountants

Ten Tips to Making Yourself Better Understood in the Work Place
(Part I)

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has occurred.
—George Bernard Shaw

How many of us have a mental image of the accountant as the bean counter in a back room, surrounded by accounting ledgers and calculators? Accountants should be the profit center experts in an organization, but that’s impossible to accomplish when fraternizing with numbers alone. One of the keys to becoming an invaluable accountant is in effectively communicating with colleagues, many of whom have no background in accounting and may be a little skittish talking profit margins.

So how should an accountant engage with coworkers in a manner that puts everyone in the financial know? Here are five of ten tips to becoming a better communicator, which will enable your colleagues, including management, to become profit center enthusiasts.

1. Listen

Effective communication can’t take place if one person is doing all the talking. Part of effectively engaging with colleagues is in understanding their goals, responsibilities, and concerns. This can only happen when you listen to them. Once you do, you better understand how your objectives can align with theirs, making you true business partners.

2. Determine Your Audience

After listening to your colleagues, you can better understand who they are and how your message can be catered to them. Ask yourself the following questions in order to better understand your audience:

• How much accounting knowledge do they have?
• Do they have responsibilities that can contribute to profit center success?
• How does your message or purpose relate to their organizational role?

Once your understand how your message relates to their role and the company’s success, they will be more likely to respond favorably.

3. Identify Your Purpose

You must identify the purpose of your message. Are you simply sharing information or do you want to effect organizational change? Once you understand what you’re trying to accomplish, you can eliminate the fluff and ensure your message is communicated clearly and succinctly.

4. Determine Your Method of Presentation

After identifying your audience and the purpose of your message, you need to determine the best method of presenting it. Not all messages are created equal; pick the method of presentation best suited for your audience and purpose. Should you present in staff meeting, write a company memo, or schedule a one-on-one meeting? It would be silly to share your message in a staff meeting if your purpose is to communicate one individual. It would be a waste of time to schedule one-on-one meetings with a handful of people all getting the same message.

5. Use Plain Language

Accountants have a tendency to use accounting jargon that can intimidate, confuse, and even bore an audience. Be sure to use plain language, especially when communicating with colleagues who don’t have an extensive accounting background. Consider ways to explain accounting concepts simply and clearly.

These five tips can help accountants effectively communicate with colleagues and ensure a profit center’s success. Return next week to discover five more ways to improve your communication skills as an accountant.

Learn more to speak the accounting language.

Ten Tips to Making Yourself Better Understood in the Work Place
(Part II)

Many entry-level to mid-level accountants struggle in the workplace, not because they lack accounting expertise, but because they lack communication skills. Previously we explored 5 ways to achieve effective communication:

1. Listen
2. Determine your audience
3. Identify your purpose
4. Determine your method of presentation
5. Use plain language

This week we will continue by exploring 5 more ways accountants can become better communicators.

6. Confirm Understanding

While you may feel your message was eloquent, concise, and focused, if your audience didn’t understand it, than your attempt to communicate failed. To avoid this last hurdle you must confirm understanding or negotiate a more appropriate approach. Consider using the following questions to confirm understanding (X represents message/purpose):

• I’m afraid I didn’t communicate clearly. What did you understand X to be?
• What does X look like to you?
• Do you have any questions about X?

If you ask the right questions you’ll be able to clarify where necessary and expound on ideas that may have needed more development. Often a message doesn’t require more than a follow-up email in order to verify receipt or confirm understanding.

7. Invite Feedback

Generally you can invite feedback while confirming understanding. Sometimes your audience understands the purpose, but feels it needs altering or clarification in order to be successful. In asking the right questions you communicate a genuine desire to get thoughtful feedback. Questions might include:

• Do you think X will work? Why or why not?
• What concerns do you have regarding X?
• What elements of X do you think would work well?
• How could we modify X so that it also facilitates your objectives?

8. Display Commitment

If you’re motivated by personal advancement alone, that attitude will ooze from you, repelling most of your colleagues. But if you display commitment to the organization, you win the trust of your coworkers and supervisors. This makes for a much more willing audience, regardless of your message.

9. “Do unto Others…”

The Golden Rule is also a good tip in communicating effectively. Ask yourself, would you be willing to sit through a coworker’s message if that coworker didn’t afford you the same courtesy? Give colleagues your undivided attention as they share their messages with you. This characterizes you as a team player who is willing to advance any initiative that will improve the business, even if the initiative isn’t your own.

10. Seek Improvement Opportunities

If your presentation skills need improvement, find a conference or workshop that teaches presentation skills. If you’re a little self-conscious about your writing abilities, take a class that teaches basic business writing. By all means look for opportunities to continue your education. Acknowledging your weaknesses only places you in a better position to turn them into strengths.

Learn more to speak the accounting language

Why Bookkeepers and Accountants with Certification Have an Advantage

The accounting profession is booming, no doubt about it. In fact, it’s growing at such a quick clip that the Bureau of Labor estimates that by 2008 accounting jobs will have increased by 20%. They say: “In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire, or transfer to other occupations, will produce numerous openings in this large occupation.”

If you are a bookkeeper or accountant, you count as part of the talent pool from which countless businesses will look to fill gaps in their organizations. Isn’t it wonderful to be in demand? And recent corporate scandals have caused many businesses to look for bookkeepers and accountants they can trust, and typically that implies certification. In a recent press release Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of staffing agency Robert Half International, said, “The ability to build upon one’s knowledge base is critical for next generation accountants. They must dedicate themselves to continuing education, including the pursuit of additional certifications, in order to move forward in their careers.”

Do you have trusted credentials? If not, it’s time to increase your value to current and potential employers by earning a designation that will enable you to move forward in your career.

Earn the Professional Bookkeeper Designation and Earn a Promotion!

Many programs require you take months, if not years, to earn some sort of professional certification. UAC graduate, Scott Irvins, wanted formal accounting training and decided to do something unusual; he went to a local university to get an associates degree in accounting and he took Universal Accounting’s Professional Bookkeeper course. After all that, Scott felt UAC provided more comprehensive accounting training in less time. He explained, “The Universal Accounting course — we were done in 4 weeks. I knew everything we needed to do was getting started. As to the other one [University coursework], in that four weeks I hadn’t even finished the first class yet, and 18 months later I finally had little piece of paper that says I have a degree in computerized accounting. But from the get-go with Accounting Center, their training was fast and simple. In looking at both, it was actually more comprehensive than the 18 month class. We had to do the entire extra general education things, and they broke the training up into little pieces, where in Universal Accounting Center you got the whole picture and you got to do it all in four weeks. It was great.”

The Professional Bookkeeper Program better prepares bookkeepers for their job requirements by training them in full bookkeeper and accounting services. Upon completion, qualified students receive the PB designation, assuring potential employers and clients that these UAC graduates are qualified to take care of the small business owner’s bookkeeping needs. In less than 60 hours you too can earn the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Designation and develop an expertise in small business accounting. Don’t wait to improve your career. Enroll today!

A List of Do’s and Don’ts

Often a work environment can make or break a job opportunity. If you find that one difficult coworker is making your current position a nightmare, you may need a few tips to help you better deal with your work situation. In our last newsletter we gave you the following five do’s and don’ts in dealing with difficult coworkers:

1. Do examine yoursel.
2. Don’t avoid your feelings
3. Do confide in a friend or family membe.
4. Don’t gossip
5. Do consider your options

This week we’ll wrap up the series by sharing the final five:

6. Don’t avoid the problem
We promise that ignoring the problem will never make it disappear. As unfortunate as the situation may be, you will have to address it in order to resolve the problem. But that requires some forethought. First consider the following: Is the coworker approachable? Does your employer have a conflict resolution process in place? Is this issue less about the coworker and more about you standing up for yourself? Once you pinpoint the actual problem and potential approaches you’ll be better prepared to actually resolve it.

7. Do confront the coworker
You may be tempted to talk to your colleagues or even your supervisor about the difficult coworker. But the truth is it’s unfair to approach anyone else before approaching the person with whom you’re struggling. Make sure you’ve thought through your talking points before engaging with the difficult coworker. And what is the best environment for this discussion? Should you treat the coworker to lunch? Should you schedule a time in your conference room? Is it appropriate to meet in your office or cubicle? You don’t want the situation to escalate by approaching your coworker in a public environment that leaves him/her feeling vulnerable.

And be thoughtful as you prepare for this conversation. Remember that your response to this coworker is currently your problem; you don’t want to attack your coworker by pointing out his/her faults. Open the discussion by telling the coworker that you have a problem (not them, you). Then describe the problem using non-threatening terms. (For example, “In staff meeting, you often interrupt me when I’m sharing my thoughts or opinions.”) Then tell the coworker how you feel about their behavior. (For example, “When that happens I feel I cannot contribute to this organization as I should. I also feel as if you do not respect me.”) Explain that you want to have a good relationship with this coworker and hope they feel the same way. This opening may enable you to have a production discussion. If you find the conversation moving from bad to worse, excuse yourself and consider other alternatives.

8. Don’t take the low road
Regardless of what happens you will not improve the situation by speaking poorly of this coworker. Always take the high road and avoid name calling, belittling, backbiting, and gossiping.

9. Do involve others, if necessary
If you’ve approached this coworker with little effect and find that their behavior continues to impede your work, you may have to involve your supervisor. Again as difficult as it may be you must avoid emotion when discussing this coworker; also steer clear of derogatory descriptions of their troubling behavior. As much as possible, base your discussion on succinct, factual descriptions.

10. Don’t expect poor treatment
Regardless of what happens you should never come to expect poor treatment. If a coworker continues to abuse or mistreat you, there may come a time when you must file a complaint or quit your job; no position is worth enduring a negative work environment.

Your relationships with coworkers can make your job a joy, or it can make it miserable. When you find yourself struggling with a colleague it is important to address the situation immediately rather than waiting to see if it goes away. Using these 10 tips you should quickly come to an understanding of how to better deal with difficult coworkers.

A List of Do’s and Don’ts

A job is so much more enjoyable when you like the people you work with. Unfortunately, there’s usually a bad apple in every bunch, and sometimes that difficult coworker can make your job more difficult. From Chatty Cathy’s to White-Collar Bullies, there are lots of personality types that can cause conflict in the workplace. But there is something you can do about it. Here are 10 do’s and don’ts that will help you deal with difficult coworkers:

1. Do examine yourself
First and foremost, examine yourself. Do you often experience difficulty with coworkers? Are you struggling with individuals that no one else has taken issue with? If you find that you are constantly butting heads with colleagues then it’s a good idea to do some reflection and determine if you are the common denominator in these situations. If you are, it’s time to work through some personal issues that may be causing the conflict.

2. Don’t avoid your feelings
Whenever there’s conflict and tension in the workplace it can take a toll on you emotionally. Acknowledge your feelings so that they don’t sneak up on you later and reveal themselves in an emotional outburst at work. Recognize that what you’re experiencing is important and needs to be addressed.

3. Do confide in a friend or family member
This will help you process your feelings. Sometimes when we’re involved in a work-related conflict it can be difficult to maintain a realistic perspective as the tension begins to warp our view. Talking with an objective third party can help with that. Not to mention you may also get some good advice on dealing with the problematic coworker.

4. Don’t gossip
Avoid gossiping at all costs; complaining to your colleagues about the individual won’t make things any better. All it does is generate negative energy that will cause your bad feelings to build. And the last thing you want is for your nemesis to catch wind of your water cooler moments and then use them against you.

5. Do consider your options
There are lots of ways to deal with a difficult coworker; the important thing to remember is you must deal with it. You can confront the individual, standup to the individual when appropriate, publicly call them out on their behavior, or have a heart-to-heart with him/her. You have lots of options and should consider the pros and cons of each before you act.

It can be discouraging to work with an individual who is causing tension or discomfort for you in the workplace. But you must always remember that you can influence the course of your life, and that includes dealing with a difficult coworker. Come back next week when we’ll talk about the following:

6. Don’t avoid the problem
7. Do confront the coworker
8. Don’t take the low road
9. Do involve others, if necessary
10. Don’t expect poor treatment

10 Tips on Handling Bad, Bossy Behavior

Chances are you’re going to encounter a difficult boss at some point in your career. Struggles with your boss can seep into your personal life, causing you to stress about your job even when you’re not in the office. It’s important that you develop a few coping skills so that you can handle such situations with composure and ease. Here are 10 tips to better manage a difficult boss:

1. Evaluate your own performance.

Perhaps your boss has been critical of your work. Or maybe the struggles you’re experiencing have more to do with bad chemistry than a flawed supervisor. Step back and evaluate your own performance and behavior with a critical eye. Is there something you’re doing to contribute to the problem? Are some of your boss’s criticisms valid? If necessary, take ownership for your role in the poor relationship and take steps to improve what you can.

2. Do good work.

Don’t give a bad boss any ammunition. Do the best work you can. This includes fulfilling your assignments, working as a team player, and participating in good communication.

3. Consider what you want.

Is the situation bad enough for you to leave? Or do you expect that things will improve after some time has passed? Evaluate the situation and weigh it against all the pros and cons. It may be worth looking for work elsewhere.

4. Discuss rather than confront.

It may be necessary to talk with your boss about what you view to be unfair and, possibly, abusive behavior. When you do meet with him/her, ensure that you discuss rather than confront. Approaching the situation offensively will generally make it negative and combative. Have discussion points ready and back up statements with concrete examples.

5. Don’t get emotional.

And when you do talk with your boss, check your emotions at the door. Becoming emotional is unprofessional and will generally escalate the discussion into a heated debate where things become personal and, often, hurtful.

6. Have a backup plan.

If you plan to discuss the situation and the need for improvement, you need to have a hard and fast backup plan; it’s difficult to have leverage with your boss if you have no other options. If you’re serious about seeing changes in the workplace, you must be willing to leave if your boss shoots you down. Having a job offer from another organization is a great form of leverage.

7. Don’t engage in negative behavior.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Just because your boss exhibits bad behavior doesn’t justify you following suit. Try to be as upbeat as possible, ignoring your boss’s bad behavior while complimenting good behavior.

8. Go through the proper chain of command.

You’re only a tattletale when you complain to upper management instead of first approaching your boss. While it’s not unreasonable to move up the chain of command once you’ve gotten no response from your boss, it’s unfair to everyone involved if you don’t at least attempt reconciliation with your supervisor first.

9. Rally the troops.

Perhaps you’re not the only one frustrated with your boss’s behavior. While it’s unprofessional to gang up on a boss, it is reasonable to point out a common frustration and suggest ways of improving it. And your boss might recognize the validity of a complaint voiced by more than one employee.

10. Document everything.

If you decide to stay, it’s not a bad idea to properly document your boss’s misbehavior in case the situation escalates to a showdown before upper management. If you’ve documented everything, you’ll be able to argue your side without getting emotional. A paper trail is much more professional than a public display of your frustrations.

It’s never fun to deal with a difficult boss, but if you take measures to temper the situation, chances are things will get better for everyone involved.

How to Design this Powerful Marketing Tool

Business cards for success”The business card . . . is kind of an extension of yourself. It’s a little bit of giving yourself to someone else.” Ken Erdman, founder of the Business Card Museum, Erenheim, PA.

The most effective and least expensive marketing tool is literally at your fingertips. What is it? The business card. Just 3½ inches long and 2 inches wide, this small piece of cardstock packs a marketing punch when properly designed and distributed. Not only is it economical, but it’s low-tech, compact, and can have a lasting impact on those you give them to. But how can you be sure that your card will stand out while giving potential clients all the information they need?
Getting Ideas

The first thing you should do is look at other business cards. Thumb through those you have received or surf the internet to view sample cards online. Find a handful that appeal to you. What do you like about them? How do they stand out? Is the information clear and easy to find? Are there extra creative touches that you like? Maybe there’s a wow factor you’d like to incorporate on your own card. Keep these memorable business cards in mind as you design your own.

As you create the card that best represents you and your business, remember these three simple tips on business card design:
1. Make it clear

The recipient of your card should have no question as to what you do and how you can be contacted. There is critical information that should be included on every business card: your name, job title, business name, address, phone number(s), fax, email address, website URL, tagline (or slogan), product(s) and/or service(s) offered. With all this information, it’s important that the card display the information clearly. Keep fonts consistent, and remember that whatever graphic elements you want to include, content is king.
2. Make it concise

Remember, a business card is small. If you pack it with too much information, it will be cluttered and, quite possibly, illegible. If you decide to include more than what’s absolutely required, be sure it’s done in good taste and with an economy of words. And don’t trust your own judgment alone. Having designed the card yourself, you may not be objective enough to recognize flaws. Request that a second and possibly a third-party proofread the card and give honest feedback.
3. Make it unforgettable

Typically personal business cards for many professions are encouraged to be clean and minimalist. You have a bit more leeway when creating a card representing your small business. A card for your small business can be seen as an opportunity to promote your brand. The look and feel you choose should coordinate with current promotions you’re running. It should also reflect the image you want to project to potential clients. Considering all that, you should also make it stand out. Below are some creative ideas you might consider in making your business card unforgettable.
Other creative ideas

Rotarize. Create a business card the recipient can easily transfer from a wallet to a rolodex. Rotary business cards have the upraised tabs containing your business name and notches in the bottom for easy fit in a rolodex.

Make it useful. Provide information (generally on the flip-side) that many potential contacts will find useful and will frequently refer to. A popular choice is to include a calendar, but remember you want to stand out. Consider information that is accounting-related.

Include testimonials. If you’re thinking of ways to utilize the flip-side of your business card, consider including a testimonial or two.

Add incentive. Give the recipient a reason to keep and use your business card, perhaps by including some type of discount in small print.

Give it magnetic appeal. Turn your business card into a magnet. A small business will likely stick it to a filing cabinet only to be remembered when in need of your services.

Once you’ve decided how to approach your business card, start designing. And if you need a credential or two to help your card stand out, consider one of these:

UAC’s QuickBooks Specialist Designation
Become a QuickBooks Specialist and enhance your resume and your services all at the same time. By mastering the accounting software that over 80% of small businesses use, you could increase your client base by offering setup and consultation services. Not only that but you’ll help your clients prepare their data in a way that becomes even more useful to you.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Resume Makes the Proper Impression

You’ve probably heard a lot of tips about creating the perfect resume, but have you read about the most common mistakes? There are some things you can do that will ensure that your resume won’t go in the slush pile. And here are five:

1. Avoid long-winded prose
Some may believe that wordy text, especially written in first-person, will sound friendlier and more appealing than the sterile appearance of bulleted lists. The truth is, when potential employers are looking over your resume they want facts, not frill. They expect to experience your personality in the job interview not on your resume. The easier it is to find crucial information, the better. Bulleted lists enable potential employers to quickly scan resumes and find what they’re looking for.

2. Make sure your educational information is clear
While it’s important to make your resume as concise as possible, there is such a thing as over-abbreviating your educational information. Remember to include the school, city and state, and the time you attended. If you did not receive a degree, clarify how many credits you earned and in what area of focus. There’s also a rash of falsified-resumes going around; ensure that every detail you include on your resume is true and complete. Not doing so can cause you (and your employer) a lot of difficulty in the end.

3. Focus on accomplishments
Many resumes are duty-oriented rather than accomplishment-oriented. The truth is potential employers are more interested in what you have accomplishment than completed tasks. As you review your employment and educational history consider what you have accomplished and make a point to include those things on your resume.

4. Avoid overused resume templates
While you may think the resume template you’ve chosen is innovative and eye-catching, remember that potential employers see a lot more resumes than you do. Even if you choose a template you should change it up a little and make it your own.

5. Include key words
Remember that a resume is your opportunity to market yourself and your skills. The potential employer is your audience. Look at the job posting as you craft your resume and include key words they used to publicize the opening. As you use those key words to highlight your skills and abilities they will appreciate both your attention to their needs and the manner in which you showcase your employability. Not to mention, you will appear well-suited for the job.

Your resume is the first look many potential employers will get of you and your skills. You don’t want to eliminate yourself by making simple mistakes that have become fairly common. In attending to the five details above, you could get your resume the attention it deserves.