If you're a Mac computer user and you've sent your resume as a Microsoft Word document, there's a decent chance that the recruiter or HR department you sent it to can't read it.  It can also be a problem if you've sent your resume in any other program besides Word.

Most folks using Macintosh computers don't realize that even though Mac says the programs are compatible with all PCs, they aren't.  It's a huge problem.  Many recruiters and HR departments just can't open Word documents sent from a Mac, and they also encounter problems with opening resumes using PDF files/web links or PowerPoint programs because they're not compatible with their computer systems.  A very few recruiters will respond to candidates, letting them know so they can resend, but most recruiters and HR departments won't...which means your resume will never be seen and you'll never know.  And if you're sending your resume to a resume database or applying online and they can't open it, it will end up in the trash for sure.

For safety's sake, when you're submitting your resume online,  always send your resume as a Word document, and find a PC to send it from.

If you must send it from a Mac, take the extra step of sending it to a PC friend first who can verify that it arrived and can be opened successfully before you send it to a recruiter or Human Resources.

Do you know what resume search optimization is?  It's a complicated-sounding name for the simple concept of writing your resume so that it attracts the attention of potential employers.

The vast majority of job seeking (at least initially) is done online, right?  Resume search optimization helps you work within the system of online job searching to get the most bang for your buck.  If you submit your resume online without making sure it is search optimized, it will disappear into oblivion.  Why write a resume that's not going to get you results?  Ignoring RSO is a huge resume mistake.

The way it works is...
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Recently, someone who saw my presentation on the importance of LinkedIn for the job search asked me this:  “If it’s not a good idea to include a photo on your resume, why is it a good idea to include it on LinkedIn?  Doesn’t the photo on LinkedIn invite the same potential discrimination issues as including it on the resume does?”

This is a tricky issue.  We’ve all been told over and over again never to use a photo on the resume, and there are good reasons for that.  Anti-discrimination laws in our country have resulted in many Human Resources departments throwing out otherwise great resumes if they include a picture.  Companies are so afraid of being sued that they avoid the slightest appearance of bias by eliminating any resume with a photo right off the bat.  And that’s not necessarily a bad thing—your skills and accomplishments should be what gets you the interview, not your looks.

On the other hand, what’s the first thing a hiring manager will do after receiving your resume?  See if he can find out more about you on LinkedIn.  What’s on LinkedIn?  Your picture.

You could easily argue exactly that line of reasoning for eliminating your photo from LinkedIn, also.  Just like on your resume, you want the focus to be on your accomplishments, not your physical appearance.  A LinkedIn profile photo seems questionable.

Here’s where I think the difference lies:
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A resume is the foundation for your job search.  It’s your marketing document, which means it should grab the reader's attention and make them want to find out more.  Your resume can make or break your job search, and the job you land directly affects everything else in your life.  No matter what, you absolutely must have a winning, selling, resume.

It's easy to find great resume writing tips online, but because the process is such a big deal, many candidates don’t trust themselves to craft it and instead hire a resume writer or resume service, which can cost hundreds of dollars.  Is it worth it?  Maybe.  Watch this video to see what critical points you need to consider when evaluating whether or not to hire a resume writer and what you should look for in a resume writing service if you do.  What questions should you ask?
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If you research “resume writing tips” online, chances are great that you will discover that your resume should be 1-2 pages.  But what if you’ve been working for 20 years or more and in order for you to include all your experience and accomplishments, it takes you 3-4 pages?

Sorry, you’re going to have to learn to edit.  Some of it just won’t be relevant to the job you're applying for, and it won't make you look like a stronger candidate.  Unless you’re at the highest levels (CEO, CIO, CFO, etc.), you must keep your resume down to 1-2 pages.

What should you consider cutting?  Watch the video to get insider tips on how to strategically showcase your best work and turn your resume into the killer marketing brochure it should be.

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If you think of the job search as a sales process (and you should),  then your resume is your marketing document.  It's the foundational piece the rest of your job search is built on, and having the right information in the right format on your resume makes all the difference in the world in getting the attention of the hiring manager.

In the video below, two experienced recruiters (Peggy McKee of PHC Consulting and Jeff Lipschultz of A-List Solutions) give their best tips for creating a killer resume:

• how to grab a hiring manager's attention
• when you need an objective statement
• how to make sure your job history shows the hiring manager why he needs you
• which resume format you REALLY need

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It doesn't matter if your job has nothing to do with sales. (But if it does, then this applies even more!) Your job search is the biggest sales process of your life. YOU are the product, and you're trying to get someone (a potential employer) to buy you (agree to pay you for your time and talent).

Your resume is a vital step in your marketing process to convince someone to give you the job. It's your brochure that tells about the product (you). It’s important that it’s clear, easy to understand, not too busy, and it should describe those key pieces about the product that make it interesting. Watch the video and I'll tell you how to accomplish that, and what your resume should look like. I'll even give you ideas to get you started.

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I'm starting a new 6-part series on how to stand out in your job search.  Our economy and job market have experienced quite a few blows and shake-ups in the last few years, and many people are in competition with you for the best jobs (and I think many more will be jumping ship for something better when the economy really starts to pick up in the recovery.)  You've really got to bring your game in order to be successful.

So what's your first step?

Tip #1: Rethink Your Job Search

Most job seekers don’t understand that the job search is a sales process, even if your job has nothing to do with sales: you want an employer to hire you, which essentially means to buy your product (that would be you). So here are the questions you must ask yourself:

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As a sales recruiter, I specialize in placing sales and sales management professionals, and I've seen tens of thousands of resumes throughout my career. Since I often sift through them quickly, it takes a great resume to stand out from the crowd and get my attention. And job seekers in health care sales, medical device sales, laboratory sales, and pharmaceutical sales always ask "What can I do to get my resume noticed?" Beyond the basics of an easy-to-read, error-free, well-structured resume, there are qualities that catch my eye and cause me to consider candidates more closely, and I'd like to share them with you. Here are some easy changes you can make to your resume:

1. Highlight your performance. If you're in sales, it's vitally important that you demonstrate that you can ring the cash register. You show the hiring manager why he wants you on the team by highlighting your sales numbers, number of closes, key influencer sales, expense budgets, revenue, profit, growth, sales rankings, goal attainment, and so on. You can list that as numbers, dollar amounts, percentages, or whatever is appropriate. I have seen some eye-catching resumes that incorporate colored graphs to illustrate, but be careful not to overdo it. Use whatever style that best represents your growth.

2. Write a well-crafted objective statement. Think elevator pitch. Don't make the mistake of assuming that a resume objective statement will limit your opportunities. It won't. What it will do is capture the reader's attention and lead him or her into reading the rest of your resume. (So make sure it's compelling and not a canned filler statement.) It's entirely appropriate to tailor your objective statement to the job opportunity so that you can highlight what you can bring to that particular organization. Once I've read the rest of your resume, I might see that you'd also be a great fit for another opportunity.

3. Add something special. If you're new to the field, try a preceptorship, and put that experience on your resume (it's a great keyword source). It shows that you're serious, and willing to go the extra mile. And it can go a significant way to answering the "experience" question for hiring managers. Also, I have seen resumes with quotations that sum up their attitudes, drive, determination, etc. Or, I've seen others with a list of their recent reading material (although you must be able to talk intelligently about those books). But be careful about listing too much information. For instance, hobbies work only if they're relevant to the job. Don't let anything on your resume take away from your message: you have something to offer to contribute to an organization's success.

Above all, remember that your resume is not about you; it's about the employer. You're using the resume as a marketing document that highlights why you're the person to help them succeed.

If you need more help, check out this Resume Training video from Career Confidential.

Job seekers can mistakenly think that the big job title they've had is always impressive on a resume. Some sales reps have the title of VP, or Sales Director, even though they were actually in a one-to-one sales role. This can cause a problem for you in your job search if you're looking for another sales role.

If you happen to be transitioning into medical sales, you're not going to get a VP role, or a Director role, or even an Account Executive role with that title on your resume, because every recruiter and hiring manager will assume that you won't be happy as a sales rep.

So if you're looking for a sales rep role, especially in a new sales area for you, you need to downplay the big titles, and maybe think about a competency-based resume. Emphasize your skills, point out your technological or science background, and highlight your sales numbers to get hired.