One of most effective ways to communicate value on your resume is to address burning question, "Why should we hire you?" You must identify what specific contributions (that is, verifiable accomplishments) you have made at previous employers. This critical information is proof that you can do same at your next job.

Showcasing you unique accomplishments is simultaneously simple and complex. It is simple because best contributions are somehow related to bottom line (money, profits). The challenge lies in how to reframe what you've done relative to increased profits, reduced costs, or productivity enhancements.

How can your resume show that you've helped previous organizations solve a specific problem, be more competitive, expand business, attract new customers, or retain existing ones?

---------------------------------- U = You are Unique! ---------------------------------- Your resume must be unique in content and in format. The information will be unique because, as mentioned above, you will have pinpointed those accomplishments that will set you apart from other applicants.

Unique formatting means not using those templates that came packaged with your word-processing software! A cookie- cutter resume will not do justice to you or your career. Bookstores are full of excellent resources with samples of compelling resumes to ignite your creativity.

------------------------------------ M = Market yourself ------------------------------------ A superior resume utilizes proven marketing concepts such as headlines (rather than boring objective statements). It stresses benefits you have to offer (how you can contribute), not just features (what you were responsible for).

Catch attention of prospective employers on first page with a powerfully written Profile or Qualifications Summary. Resumes are initially scanned for roughly 15 to 30 seconds. If you've lost reader's interest at top of first page, he/she will not read further. Your resume will go in "no" pile.

------------------------------------------------ E = Effectively gets you noticed ------------------------------------------------ There is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" resume. There are only "effective" or "ineffective" ones. By weaving concepts above into your resume, you can increase your odds of getting noticed by those with authority to recommend you for next step in hiring process -- a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.

You know you're good...real good. You are now challenged to prove it on your resume.

Please email your favorite “meeting killers” to john@thegravittgroup.com.

21. Speak in “alphabet soup” and other jargon most people don’t understand. 22. Announce that someone will be joining by conference call and take everyone's time while you set up equipment. 23. Start with an apology like "sorry to get started late” or “I know you can't read this, but…" 24. Fail to agree on purpose of meeting. 25. Go over allotted time.

26. Volunteer absentee team members and forget to tell them about their assignments.

“A motion to adjourn is always in order. “ - Robert A. Heinlein

27. Schedule a real long meeting. Anything over 90 minutes is too long.

“On average, a project manager spends 8 years of his or her lifetime in meetings. “ - Vijay Verma

28. Invite wrong people to meeting. 29. Fail to invite people who should attend meeting. 30. Allow “monopolizers” to ruin meeting. 31. Speak to impress rather than express. Use words like “utilize” when you mean “use” and “enhance” when you mean “improve”. 32. Come unprepared. Fail to plan for a successful meeting. 33. Read agenda and handouts word for word to participants. 34. Keep participants in dark about their roles in meeting. 35. Keep doing what you’ve always done even though you know you’ve had “defective meetings” in past.

This originally appeared in John Gravitt's "Tools, Tips, and Toys" available at http:/ hegravittgroup.com.