By MAX MESSMER, Scripps Howard News Service

Do you have the write stuff? Do your resume and cover letter sore to knew heights?

In these recessionary times, employers are receiving higher numbers of applications for open positions. With growing piles of resumes and cover letters to review, hiring managers today must quickly decide which candidates are a potential fit. Don't damage your chances of making the initial cut by failing to carefully proofread your documents for typos and grammatical errors.

"OBJECTIVE: I am looking for something new. I am not 100 percent sure what it is."
Let us know when you figure it out.

A long employment search can test the pride and patience of even the most determined and optimistic person. If, like many individuals today, you're in the midst of an extended job search, it's normal to experience moments of discouragement. But try not to let frustration seep into your communication with prospective employers.

Any type of mistake on your resume can hurt your chances of securing a job interview. But misspelling your own job title? That's a particularly difficult error to recover from.

"REASON FOR LEAVING: Bad boss."
You reported to one, or you are one?

The process of editing your resume is not always an easy one. If you're having difficulty paring down your document to a page or two (as is customary), take a step back and look at it from the perspective of a prospective employer.

RESUME HEADLINE: "Downsizing is a bummer!"

COVER LETTER: "I am aware my resume appears shoddy at best, but I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you so I can prove I am not as bad as the periodic stretches of empty time suggest."

If you hope to land a better job in the new year, it goes without saying that the task is likely to be challenging given the current economic environment. But there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success.