As job candidates know, circulating a resume does not ensure the capture of a dream job. In today's competitive market, some employers sift through a stack of cover letters and resumes, only affording each one a short glimpse, before deciding which candidates to bring in for an interview. When applying for jobs, applicants must remember that regardless of the skills and experience they have in reality, they must first make certain that these qualities come through on paper.

One career consultant, Gail Geary, has said that filtering out the most pertinent skills and experiences then accentuating them in resumes and interview answers is the best method for facilitating late-career shifts, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Career advisors at the New Jersey Star-Ledger recommend that if "the resume contains a lot of information…make the presentation more direct and easy to follow." The column on resume writing further advises, "When you only have 30 seconds at most to impress a recruiter, don't make them work for the information. If you list a responsibility or a task, follow it up immediately with the results and what you accomplished.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reminds applicants to be cautious of formatting issues when sending resumes by email or online applications.