25 Best-Paying Jobs for Women

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder Editor

When you look at Forbes magazine's most recent list of highest-paid CEO's (chief executives of the 500 biggest companies in the United States), you won't see a woman until No. 48: Irene B Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods. In a country where women make up 47 percent of the workforce, women make up just 3 percent of Fortune 500 CEO's. In addition, women who worked full time earned an average of just 80 percent of what men earned in the same positions in 2008, according to the BLS.

But is salary disparity between genders the issue or is it something deeper?

In the Harvard Business Review blog, Avivah Wittenberg-Cox wrote: "Women represent one of the world's biggest and most under-reported opportunities. The business world has been so focused on stories like the rise of China that it has not been invited to see that, much closer to home, business could be reaping the benefits of the rise of women. Companies -- and their business school feeders -- have been slow in adapting and profiting from this shift, and part of the reason is that media too often focus on small, sensational and misleading parts of the story, including aspects like the wage gap."

Catalyst's February 2010 Pipeline's Broken Promise report examining high potential graduates from top business schools around the world found that, even after taking into account experience, industry and region, women start at lower levels than men, make on average $4,600 less in their initial jobs, and continue to be outpaced by men in rank and salary growth. Only when women begin their post-MBA career at mid-management or above do they achieve parity in position with men -- a situation that accounted for only 10 percent of the women and 19 percent of the men surveyed.

Whatever the cause, the BLS reports there are only a handful of occupations where women's earnings are equal to or exceed men's including construction and extraction occupations; special education teachers; installation, maintenance and repair occupations; life, physical and social science technicians; and counselors.

We wanted to know, what jobs pay women the most money? Here are 25 jobs where women earn $1000 a week or more, according to the BLS. One thing to note is that they all earn a fraction of their male counterparts.

Pharmacists
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,647
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,914
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 86.1%

Chief executives
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,603
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,999
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 80.2%

Lawyers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,509
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,875
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 80.5%

Computer software engineers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,351
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,555
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 86.9%

Computer and information systems managers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,260
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,641
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 76.8%

Physicians and surgeons
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,230
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,911
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 64.4%

Management analysts
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,139
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,391
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 81.9%

Human resources managers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,137
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,433
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 79.3%

Speech-language pathologists
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,124
Men - Median weekly earnings: *
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: **

Computer and mathematical occupations
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,088
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,320
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 82.4%

Computer scientists and systems analysts
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,082
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,240
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 87.3%

Physician assistants
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,077
Men - Median weekly earnings: **
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: **

Medical and health services managers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,066
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,504
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 70.9%

Physical scientists, all other
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,061
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,535
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 69.1%

Postsecondary teachers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,056
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,245
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 84.8%

Marketing and sales managers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,024
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,601
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 64%

Physical therapists
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,019
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,329
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 76.7%

Occupational therapists
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,016
Men - Median weekly earnings: **
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: **

Registered nurses
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,011
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,168
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 86.6%

Managers, all other
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,010
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,359
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 74.3%

Psychologists
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,004
Men - Median weekly earnings: **
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: **

Computer programmers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,003
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,261
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 79.5%

Architecture and engineering occupations
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,001
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,286
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 77.8%

Advertising and promotions managers
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,000
Men - Median weekly earnings: **
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: **

Education administrators
Women - Median weekly earnings: $1,000
Men - Median weekly earnings: $1,398
Women's earnings as percent of men's in same occupation: 71.5%

*No data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

** Data not shown where the male employment base is less than 50,000.

Kate Lorenz is the editor for CareerBuilder.com and its job-seeker blog, www.TheWorkBuzz.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow CareerBuilder on Twitter www.twitter.com/CBforjobseekers.

Why Do Employers Care About Your Credit?

By Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com writer

When you're looking for a job, you're probably not thinking about your credit score.

But, you might want to start.

Though many people argue that credit scores have nothing to do with their capabilities on the job, some employers say differently. Sixty percent of employers recently surveyed by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) said they run credit checks on all or some potential new hires. That's up from 43 percent in 2006 and 25 percent in 1998.

Opinions on whether or not this is fair vary. Supporters of credit checks don't think it's any different than checking a candidate's references. But opponents see it as unfair -- especially in this economy. And rightfully so. Medical issues, divorce or a job layoff and subsequent missed bills can wreck an otherwise perfect credit score in an instant.

"There are lots of good reasons not to hire someone. Usually, bad credit alone isn't one of them. And yet, it's become the reason du jour, to disqualify an otherwise highly qualified person to do a job they're particularly well suited for," says Milan P. Yager, president and CEO of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations. "As job fields become closed and increasingly competitive, you can bet that more employers are utilizing credit check options than ever before."

So, why do employers look at your credit history?

The reasons vary. Sometimes it may be because of the nature of the position to which you're applying.

"Certain categories of employers regularly review credit histories [such as] banks, brokerage houses, government and other financial institutions. Evaluation of credit history is [also] frequently applied to accounting and money management positions where there is potential for fraud and embezzlement," says Wendy Powell, author of "Management Experience Acquired." "Employers have a responsibility to assure that the proper due diligence is applied. Be prepared for the possibility of a credit review, not only in the application process, but also throughout the employment relationship."

Other employers look at credit histories in order to separate one candidate from another.

"Credit report information is an excellent data point when comparing and contrasting two or more candidates for the same position," says Jay Meschke, president of EFL Associates, an executive search company. "If, for example, an applicant reports a significant level of personal debt obligations or credit delinquencies that might distract that person from his or her job responsibilities, then a hiring entity may take that information into consideration when comparing such an applicant to another comparative candidate without such distractions."

Or, maybe a company just wants to get a better idea of the person it's considering to hire.

"Financial information may not be the employer's priority. Insuring that your employees are responsible and ethical is a must," Yagar says. "Relying on character references is becoming less reliable than verifying records and professionally screening workers beforehand. It's true that credit checks can verify demographic and location information. They will include identifiers such as name, spouse, social security number, alias, address, phone and previous employment."
Barry Maher, author of "Filling the Glass," adds that a credit report can provide a snapshot of a person's economic life that may confirm or contradict the résumé.

"Perhaps someone claims they made a good six-figure income for the last 10 years yet they show repeated credit problems during that period. Are they lying about their income? Are they poor money managers? Do they have a major financial issue that's draining their resources? Any of these might (or might not) have a negative effect on their job."

The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs almost all issues related to the use of credit reports. Job applicants have the right to a copy of his or her credit report, and law requires the hiring entity to provide a copy to the job applicant. In addition, if an employer decides not to hire a candidate based on the results of a credit report, the candidate must be told the reason why and be provided with the credit report information.

Job seekers must be prepared with how to deal with a potential employer looking at their credit report.

If you have a less than stellar credit score, here are three things you can do:

1. Be prepared for the scrutiny

"Just as you would if showing your home to a prospective buyer, tidy up your credit record before you put your career on the market," Yager says. "Know your credit score, and examine your credit record. If there's an error, U.S. residents can visit the Federal Trade Commission's website to learn step-by-step how to dispute and correct the error. But keep in mind, there is no quick fix that instantly raises a credit score so have some patience."

2. Bring up issues on your own

"As an applicant, if you've got credit problems and the company asks permission to run a credit report, you're far better off if you bring up any issues they're likely to uncover proactively, getting out your side of the story before the company even realizes there is a story," Maher says. "A lot of people have problems with their credit, particularly nowadays. But you need to control the story, not let the credit reporting company control it. Hiring companies understand no applicant is perfect but they want to understand that imperfection, whatever it may be."

3. Realize you're not alone

"In most cases, a degradation of credit history is a slow process and would most likely affect those candidates that have been out of work the longest the most. Remember, if your credit history has been damaged, you're in the same boat as countless job candidates. And don't forget, it's a huge boat!" Powell says. "Employers have a responsibility to hire the most competent and qualified candidate. Be prepared and have a plan."

Get the latest job search news and advice on CareerBuilder.com's job seeker blog www.TheWorkBuzz.com and follow us on Twitter @CBforJobSeekers.

Fastest Growing Jobs in Health Care

In the two years since the economy began its downward slide, health care has been one of the few industries that continued to rise. Because we're living longer than ever and the baby boomers are aging, demand for health care is growing.

Understandably, many people think of health care as all about doctors and nurses. After all, when you go to the hospital or have your annual check-up, your interaction is usually with a nurse and then a doctor. All the lab tests and other work are done behind the scenes, so these positions get overlooked. The health care industry will continue to grow in the coming decade and the jobs won't just be in the operating room, though many will.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these 11 jobs in health care will see growth in the coming years. Here are the jobs, their expected growth in the next decade, education requirements and annual mean salary*:

1. Physician assistants perform many of the same tasks of a physician -- such as treating injuries and supervising medical assistants -- but are under a physician's supervision at all times.
2008-2018 increase: 41.3 percent
Education: College degree and relevant experience
Salary: $81,610

2. Medical secretaries perform administrative duties in health-care facilities and rely on their knowledge of medical terminology and procedures.
2008-2018 increase: 27 percent
Education: Varies, but college degrees are increasingly common requirements
Salary: $30,800

3. Physicians and surgeons treat patients for existing medical conditions and also advise them on preventative care. Surgeons concentrate on operations rather than the non-surgical approaches of physicians.
2008-2018 increase: 26 percent
Education: Medical degrees, residencies and licenses
Salary: Surgeons - $206,770, general internists - $176,740

4. Registered nurses address some health problems of patients as well as collect and maintain their medical records.
2008-2018 increase: 23.4 percent
Education: Varies between college degrees requirements and certification, depending on state and employer
Salary: $65,130

5. Counselors work in various health-care facilities to help clients overcome physical or mental health obstacles they are encountering.
2008-2018 increase: 22.6 percent
Education: Varies by state and facility, but college degree and certification are typical
Salary: Mental health - $40,270, rehabilitation - $34,600, substance abuse and behavioral disorder - $39,670

6. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses provide care for injured or ill patients in health-care facilities and private homes.
2008-2018 increase: 21.9 percent
Education: Nursing license from an accredited school or institution, other requirements vary by state
Salary: $40,110

7. Billing and posting clerks and machine operators assess the cost of a patient's health care, draw up the bill and send it to them.
2008-2018 increase: 19.7 percent
Education: Varies by institution, but a high school diploma and basic computer skills are common
Salary: $32,120

8. Social workers provide emotional and mental support to patients who have substance abuse problems or suffer from medical ailments.
2008-2018 increase: 19.5 percent
Education: Bachelor's degrees and often advanced degrees are required, in addition to state-mandated licenses and certifications
Salary: Medical and public health - $47,560, mental health and substance abuse - $39,630

9. Receptionists and information clerks work in health-care facilities and address customer or patient questions or concerns and direct them to the appropriate department or personnel.
2008-2018 increase: 16.1 percent
Education: Minimum requirement of high school diploma, although some employers require more education or relevant experience
Salary: $25,400

10. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in medical laboratories to perform tests that help diagnose, treat or prevent illnesses.
2008-2018 increase: 14 percent
Education: Technologists need a bachelor's degree in a related subject and technicians need an associate degree
Salary: Technologists - $54,050, technicians - $44,310

11. Pharmacists dispense medicine to patients based on the diagnoses and prescriptions of physicians and other medical professionals.
2008-2018 increase: 14 percent
Education: A Doctor of Pharmacy degree and license
Salary: $104,260

*All information based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama

Available Jobs, Not Enough Skilled Workers

Two years after the start of the recession, the unemployment rate is still near double digits, which translates to millions of Americans looking for work. For every open job, employers have dozens or even hundreds of applicants eager to get hired. Yet many employers insist that finding qualified candidates is difficult, even in this economy. How can that be?

These employers don't have a shortage of applicants -- they have a shortage of qualified applicants. For most positions, the necessary skills, experience and education requirements are firm and can't be loosened because of a lack of suitable candidates. Bad economy or not, employers need to know their workers are the best possible people for the job.

A good worker is hard to find
"These jobs were difficult to fill prior to the economic downturn," says Julian L. Alssid, executive director of the Workforce Strategy Center in New York. "Hopefully, they will be less difficult to fill as we move more toward a more demand-driven work-force development system in the U.S. This means local employers working directly with community colleges, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions that help people gain skills that are in demand by employers."

Education is an invaluable asset for any applicant, but as many job seekers can attest, it isn't the only prerequisite for employment. When employers are choosing the right candidate for their organizations, they want to see years of experience and an education that isn't outdated. As you can imagine, any worker who falls at extreme ends of the spectrum -- such as a new graduate or an industry veteran -- can be at a disadvantage. New graduates know the latest research and technology, but they don't have the years of firsthand experience that employers value.

"We do hear employers complain that younger workers fresh out of school often lack a practical understanding of how to apply what they have learned in their classrooms to the workplace," Alssid says. "That said, we have heard from several experienced workers that they feel they are losing out on jobs to younger -- less costly -- candidates."

Education matters
Don't mistake a need for experience as a reason to dismiss education. The problem is that job seekers have to take responsibility for their education because many employers no longer have the time and budget to groom new hires.

"Employers seem to be less willing to invest in training in this economy. Again, it is the combination of the right credential and practical experience they look for," Alssid says.

Take the initiative to improve your credentials so employers see a candidate they're ready to hire now.

"Many job seekers can make themselves more competitive by getting industry-recognized credentials that are valued in today's workplace," Alssid says. "In many cases, that might mean a short-term certificate, not another college or graduate degree."

But many employers are ready to hire.
"We hear about the skills shortage from industries including health care, advanced manufacturing, IT and energy," Alssid says. Although no specific job title is in constant need, any positions relying on math and technical expertise are consistently difficult to fill. "I have heard from several advanced manufacturers that they would hire engineers and engineering technicians in a heartbeat."

Supporting his assessment is the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which expects biomedical engineers and network systems and data communications analysts to be the fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018. As a result, job seekers who are applying to these fields and who have the qualifications need to put their experience and skills front and center. In the cover letter, résumé and interview, don't let hiring managers forget that you already have the skills they need. After all, you are just one job seeker in a competitive market; show employers that you're different from the rest.

By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Today's 20 Fastest-Growing Occupations

For the past two years, as job growth has gone from nonexistent to lackluster, workers and job seekers have been waiting to hear good news. Job seekers on all fronts want good news. Unemployed job seekers need to pay the bills and get back in the work force. Employed job hunters want to get out of dead-end jobs and earn competitive salaries. College students on the verge of graduating are eager to embark on a career and use the education they accumulated over the past four years.

The job seeker situation can be summarized in one word: frustrating.

The economy is recovering, but the recovery is slow. If you're in need of a new job, it's too slow. You can't wait several years until things are back to their pre-recession levels. Fortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified 20 jobs that are expected to grow rapidly between now and 2018. These occupations are in high demand now and are expected to continue on this trajectory for the next decade.

Here are the 20 fastest-growing occupations between 2008 and 2018*:

1. Biomedical engineers
Percent change: 72 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,600
Annual median salary: $77,400
Why they're growing: As the population ages, demand for new health-care equipment designed by biomedical engineers will increase.

2. Network systems and data communications analysts
Percent change: 53 percent
Number of new jobs: 155,800
Annual median salary: $71,100
Why they're growing: Companies will continue to upgrade technology (such as networks) and will need to expand their IT workforce.

3. Home health aides
Percent change: 50 percent
Number of new jobs: 460,900
Annual median salary: $20,460
Why they're growing: As the population gets older and lives longer, home health aides will see a rise in demand.

4. Personal and home care aides
Percent change: 46 percent
Number of new jobs: 375,800
Annual median salary: $19,180
Why they're growing: The aging population will require more medical attention, often at home rather than in medical facilities.

5. Financial examiners
Percent change: 41 percent
Number of new jobs: 11,100
Annual median salary: $70,930
Why they're growing: Financial institutions are under increasing watch by the government and will continue to be for the next decade, which provides many new opportunities for financial examiners.

6. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
Percent change: 40 percent
Number of new jobs: 44,200
Annual median salary: $72,590
Why they're growing: Advances in biotechnology have created new opportunities for medical scientists over the past two decades and are on track to continue.

7. Physician assistants
Percent change: 39 percent
Number of new jobs: 29,200
Annual median salary: $81,230
Why they're growing: Health-care facilities will use physician assistants to ease some responsibilities from physicians who are being given heavier workloads.

8. Skin care specialists
Percent change: 38 percent
Number of new jobs: 14,700
Annual median salary: $28,730
Why they're growing: Spas and other cosmetic centers are expanding at a fast pace and skin care specialists are some of their most in-demand employees.

9. Biochemists and biophysicists
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 8,700
Annual median salary: $82,840
Why they're growing: Continued advances in biotechnology create opportunities for new research and development careers.

10. Athletic trainers
Percent change: 37 percent
Number of new jobs: 6,000
Annual median salary: $39,640
Why they're growing: As Americans focus on preventative health care and organizations support these efforts, athletic trainers will see an increase in responsibilities and job opportunities.

11. Physical therapist aides
Percent change: 36
Number of new jobs: 16,700
Annual median salary: $23,760
Why they're growing: In general, all physical therapy services will be in higher demand, and the need for aides will rise along with them.

12. Dental hygienists
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 62,900
Annual median salary: $66,570
Why they're growing: Due to the aging population and an increased emphasis on health care, dental health services will create more opportunities for dental hygienists.

13. Veterinary technologists and technicians
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 28,500
Annual median salary: $28,900
Why they're growing: The need for technologists and technicians will outpace qualified candidates who are graduating from institutions, creating an increased demand.

14. Dental assistants
Percent change: 36 percent
Number of new jobs: 105,600
Annual median salary: 32,380
Why they're growing: Due to an aging population and better preventative dental care habits for adults and children, dental assistants will see rapid growth in the coming decade.

15. Computer software engineers, applications
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 175,100
Annual median salary: $85,430
Why they're growing: Advances in technology and a continued reliance on computer networks ensure organizations of all industries will need software engineers.

16. Medical assistants
Percent change: 34 percent
Number of new jobs: 163,900
Annual median salary: $28,300
Why they're growing: Medical assistants will increasingly assume some health-care provider roles in order to alleviate the increasing demands of physicians.

17. Physical therapist assistants
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 21,200
Annual median salary: $46,140
Why they're growing: As the population ages, many people will turn to physical therapy for an increased quality of life.

18. Veterinarians
Percent change: 33 percent
Number of new jobs: 19,700
Annual median salary: $79,050
Why they're growing: Pet owners are willing to spend more money for the health and well being of their pets, thereby putting veterinarians in high demand.

19. Self-enrichment education teachers
Percent change: 32 percent
Number of new jobs: 81,300
Annual median salary: 35,720
Why they're growing: The types of coursework offered in this field are expected to broaden and create new positions for teachers.

20. Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation
Percent change: 31 percent
Number of new jobs: 80,800
Annual median salary: $48,890
Why they're growing: Compliance officers are one of the fastest growing occupations due to tighter restrictions and more scrutiny on financial institutions.

*Growth rates and salary information for all occupations based on data from the BLS.

Bing: Which states have the highest minimum wage?
Bing: Great jobs that don't require a degree

By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

7 Ways to Improve Your Cover Letter ... and Get Your Application Noticed

Don't underestimate the power of a cover letter. When well written, attractively designed and customized for the recipient, a cover letter is a powerful tool that can practically scream "Interview this candidate immediately!"

But when they are thrown together using little to no consideration, personalization or creativity -- as cover letters often are -- the letter is as ineffective in the job hunt as a blank sheet of paper.

"This is a major misstep when job searching," say Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, co-authors of "Cover Letter Magic." "You should take advantage of every opportunity there is to stand out from other candidates."

Enelow and Kursmark also say that writing a cover letter can be more fun than job seekers realize. "With the right perspective and a positive attitude, you'll find that it affords you great flexibility. There is no one set format in which they must be written. There is no one style in which they must be presented. In fact, there are very few rules at all; and because they are so flexible, cover letters allow you to positively present just those skills, qualifications, achievements and credentials you want to bring to the recipient's immediate attention."

There are a variety of ways job seekers can get creative with their cover letters and bring them to life in ways they never considered. In their book, Enelow and Kursmark suggest a few of these techniques:

1. Find out what your target employer's slogan, catchphrase or mission statement is and brainstorm ways to include it in your cover letter's introduction. This technique will quickly capture the reader's attention, demonstrate that you are familiar with the employer and stand out from other candidates' one-size-fits-all cover letters.

2. Add a table or two-column section that closely connects the employer's requirements to your qualifications and professional achievements. This strategy will quickly provide the employer with concrete evidence that you're a good fit for the job and worth learning more about.

3. Begin with a thought-provoking quote relevant to the position, the employer's goals or your target industry. Many people love to read, share and ponder quotes. Including one in your cover letter can be a quick and effective way to engage the reader.

4. Feature a strong headline near the beginning of the cover letter. To keep it brief, yet powerful, address one of the employer's key concerns or spotlight your expertise or an attribute that will be particularly appealing to the employer.

5. Develop your own slogan or mission statement and include it near the top of your cover letter. This technique will enhance your career brand and stand out much like a headline would. To draw even more attention to the phrase, place it inside a graphic element that is attractive and appropriate.

6. Add a "P.S." to the end of your cover letter. Often, it's the first thing a person will read.

7. Include testimonials about you in the body of your cover letter or in an attractive sidebar. Testimonials will emphasize your skills and achievements and support claims you make about your expertise and why you're the best candidate for the job.

By Selena Dehne career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/).

Target Your Résumé to Prospective Employers' Needs

Your résumé isn't about you, it's about them. That is the first guiding rule you should remember as you craft your employment history and achievements to match the needs of the companies you want most to hire you.

Consider your audience by researching the company and its industry, and tailoring your résumé to the challenges faced by both. Point out how your talents and training dovetail with the company's needs, so hiring managers can picture you in the job they have available or other opportunities that come up in the future.

Start out with a short professional profile that succinctly draws a picture of your job skills, work ethic and natural abilities that translate into the kind of worker you are. The rest of the résumé should follow suit as it lays out a clear story of your work experience, education and the skills you developed.

Understand that most hiring managers are viewing your job history in a quick sweep. They want to see something that is easily readable. Don't use industry jargon or long sentences that create dense, hard-to-read narratives. Tell your story in bulleted form to create punch. Don't resort to résumé formats that look like a thousand others.

Throughout the résumé, aim for action. Using words like "I was responsible for ..." don't get to the heart of your abilities. Be specific about accomplishments, punctuating them with hard numbers -- increased production, sales figures -- where applicable. Use details to explain your work story. A résumé isn't just about what you've done, but about what you have learned, achieved and produced.

Online portfolio and extracurricular activities can play a role in your résumé
Don't indulge an inclination to show how social media-savvy you are by providing links to personal pages on YouTube or Facebook, because they are just that – personal. A more professional tool is to have a link to an online portfolio that has visual presence with well-written sections about your accomplishments, career highlights and leadership and work style. Or direct people to your professional biography on LinkedIn or BrightFuse.

At the same time, your extracurricular activities or community service may tell something about the skills you bring to the job. If they show qualities such as organizational ability, leadership potential and creative thinking, list them along with work and educational history to show how you use your talents outside the workplace.

There's never a good reason to lie on your résumé, and any overstatement of job history or academic achievements can easily tarnish your credibility. Routine background checks and online research can so easily expose an untruth that the risk simply isn't worth taking when your integrity is at stake.

The progress you've made in your career shows a prospective employer the kind of direction your work experience has taken. This may be especially necessary for those moving into a new industry, where transferable skills are particularly important. Showing how your job skills are relevant to the requirements of a company's industry, as well as the company itself, is one way to portray yourself as the solution seeker they are looking to hire.