Would you go to an interview dressed in shorts and flip flops? I certainly hope not. If you are, seriously... STOP. My point is this, if you are worried about your first impression at the interview and that's why you wear the suit or the nice professional career clothes then why aren't you worried about the first impression your resume gives employers?

It's really tragic how many truly talented professionals and executives on the market have great expertise and can completely WOW in an interview, but can't get in the door because of their resume.

Let me be rather blunt for a second if I may. If you are using an objective and you are not a recent graduate - I'm talking to you. If you are an Executive (VP, Owner, Partner, Director, Senior Manager, C-Suite) and you are not utilizing a professional branding statement and Executive presentation strategy I am talking to you! Executives, hear me out - if you want to be PERCEIVED as an Executive your resume needs to LOOK, SOUND, AND SAY Executive. Yes, there is a completely different strategy to an Executive level resume then a professional level resume. You have different demands placed on you, different expectations and different expertise. Therefore, your resume presentation should be different. When a hiring manager views your resume for the first time it should communicate that you are an Executive.

I cannot hit this point home any harder or clearer you are judged on the first impression your resume gives - that first impression is your presentation, and it is critical! If your resume is a mess, outdated, or boring then guess how you are going to be perceived?

How do you want people to perceive you? Do you want them to see you as accomplished, successful, a leader in your industry? Then your resume must communicate that to them and the first place that communication starts is your format/presentation. Be strategic about how you put together your resume, NOTHING should be arbitrary.

If you have no idea where to start, then view samples from expert resume writers. If this is the 100th time you've tweaked your resume and you still feel like it isn't quite up to par have an expert review it for you for free. You cannot keep plugging along thinking a mediocre resume will get you by - you have options. I suggest you step your resume up a notch or hire a professional who can.