An important fact; companies today are inundated with resumes from the more than 11 million unemployed. Having said that; it is important when writing resumes they be kept that as "pointed" and as "short" as is humanly possible. Time is precious and the task of perusing the overwhelming numbers of resumes is, to say the least, tedious and time consuming. 

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Because of the above it is beneficial to make the process as easy as possible for those whose job it is to read and evaluate cover letters and resumes. Herein I will define two ways of accomplishing this in an efficient and acceptable manner.

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The first consideration has to do with "relevance." I realize how proud we are about past employment and all that was learned and well-practiced therein; however, prospective employers are not interested in duties and responsibilities that have little or nothing to do with the position of which they are seeking to fill. 

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The second consideration; employers have little interest in jobs going back farther than about eight to tens years, relevant or not.  Having said this does not mean that relevant awards and accomplishments and maybe a few applicable skills from prior positions can not be intertwined within your cover letter and resume. Experienced writers of these important career seeking documents are able to involve all relevant matters skillfully without building a long tireless list of past employers. Perhaps if the list is too long it may illustrate employment instability which is advisably, better not to reveal. 

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It is generally professed resumes should be no more than two pages; keeping them to one page enhances their chances of being read. And perhaps, if your resume is just a tad over one page the content can then be presented in 13 or 14 pt type making reading it, although two pages, easier for the reader. In either case, chances of your resume being read are greatly improved.

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Another benefit of eliminating older employment affiliations is that having done so leaves more room for elaborating of those qualities, skills, and abilities most relevant to the position for which you are applying.

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Then straight skinny; what used to take thirteen applications to get one interview has now tripled. Being there are fewer jobs and greater numbers of applicants it has, for employers, become a buyer's market. Only those who best play by the rules will first, be interviewed and second, win the offer. Learning how to interview is yet another reality; but is also of a different writing.

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It is best to think of your resume as a spec sheet. Its content must be relevant only to the job for which you are applying. Expressing your passions, beliefs, and other attributes are best involved within a well written advertisement (your cover letter). Be assured, it is the cover letter that encourages the reading of your resume.

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Being more explicit, if you are seeking to "employ" within your office a new computer your attention may be caught by an ad in the local newspaper for just such a computer. The ad being well written and presented, you are encouraged to go to where the computer is displayed and examine its spec sheet - generally displayed near or close to all items for consumer appraisal. To summarize; the ad (cover letter) brought you to the store to investigate (interview) this computer (applicant). Once there (at the interview) you read the computer's spec sheet (resume), and now (as will an interviewer), you must decided if this computer (applicant) aptly fills your needs (qualifies). The salesperson (you) asks "how would you like to pay for this computer; cash or credit?" (You ask," When shall I start; this Monday or is next Monday better?")  

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Be clear only that which is relevant to the needs of the interested buyer (employer) are listed to the computer's spec sheet (resume). The ad (cover letter) drew the consumer into the store to examine (interview) the computer.

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What I have attempted illustrating above is "job marketing" as opposed to "job searching." After all, just like the computer which, for all intent and purpose represents for the retailer (its employer) profits; just as you, as an employee represents for your employer (the retailer) profits - "employees = profits because the are the difference between their salaries and their productivity." When products no longer sell and yield acceptable profits they are generally discontinued; when employee productivity suffers, they too may be subsequently discontinued.

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The ultimate objective of the hiring process; from writing cover letters and resumes to participating within the interview process is to demonstrate more effectively than your competition that you will produce a greater "profit" margin between your salary and your productivity. Please, do not misconstrue the above; this means not that you accept a lower salary; it means you are uniquely qualified to perform better than all others for a greater than anticipated salary.     

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"You've studied, worked, and learned hard to be good at and qualify for your chosen profession; study, work, and learn just as hard, if not harder, to find the right place in which you may best practice that which you've so dedicated and committed to be."

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Happy job hunting!