The purpose of a resume is to get an interview.

If you are not getting interviews, chances are that your resume is not doing its job.

Either that, or you?re not applying for the right jobs!

You can go a long way to having success with your job search by remembering a few simple ideas related to resume writing:

1. Don?t forget the goal of your resume.

The goal of your resume is to simply get an interview. It?s not to tell people the salary you are looking for, it?s not to let the reader (ie. the hiring manager) know of everything you have ever done in your career or life, it?s simply to get to the interview stage.

Getting an interview means that your resume has successfully shown the reader that you have the profile they are looking for.

Your resume is your calling card.

The interview will then determine whether or not you are as good in person as you are on paper.

Jobs tend to be won and lost during the interview stage and this is when you can elaborate on why you are the best person for the job. Getting to the interview stage is what you need to concentrate on when you are putting your resume together.

2. Don?t forget your target audience.

Your resume needs to show the hiring manager your accomplishments and how they relate to the specific job you are applying for. If various parts of your experience are completely unrelated to a particular job you are applying for, you might choose not to include it in your resume.

In other words, you need to tailor your resume to your audience and remember what they are looking for and why you are the person to take care of it.

Your resume should not read like a job description, it should describe accomplishments that you?ve achieved during your career. Simply stating your job description word for word in your resume shows nothing except your ability to copy other people?s writing.

Also, remember that your resume needs to show what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you.

Your resume is about showing a potential employer what you?ve already done in your career and as a result, what you will do for them once they hire you.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.

Visit Carl's website to separate yourself from other job searchers: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com

Sign up for The Effective Career Planner, Carl?s free 5-day course: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/effective-career-planner.html