By MAX MESSMER, Scripps Howard News Service

One of the primary goals when preparing your resume is to quickly communicate your top job qualifications to hiring managers. An excellent way to accomplish this is to include a section that summarizes your professional skills and most marketable abilities. Target your summary section to each company and each opportunity.

Even if you're not actively seeking employment, it's smart to keep your resume current. You never know when an intriguing employment opportunity might arise. You may even need a copy of your resume when applying for a new job with your current employer.

When writing your resume and cover letter, it's usually wise to leave out statements about your off-hour interests and activities. An exception is if you are an active member of a professional or industry association. In this case, the information tells prospective employers that you enjoy networking and are engaged in your line of work.

I recently came across a curious correspondence from a computer specialist. It was noteworthy because, in addition to including his resume, the job seeker submitted the resume of his daughter, a marketing professional. The lesson: Keep your application materials focused on your career goals and the reasons you are the best candidate for the job.

Which type of resume format is best?

"Time is the best editor" is an old writers' maxim to keep in mind when crafting your resume and cover letter. Once you've completed your application materials, pause before submitting them. Stepping away from the computer for a few hours will enable you to return to the all-important proofreading process with a fresh perspective -- and a fresh pair of eyes.

One of the best ways to impress a hiring manager is to show that you've done your homework. By demonstrating your knowledge of the company and its industry in your application materials, you can speak directly to the employer's needs and set yourself apart from other candidates.

The word "relevant" means "closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand," according to The New Oxford American Dictionary. Keep this definition in mind when writing and editing your resume and cover letter. Far too often, job seekers wander off track and include information that has little or nothing to do with the position for which they are applying.

Think twice before using odd resume-submission tactics to catch a hiring manager's eye. Robert Half International recently polled executives, asking them to describe the most unusual strategies job seekers have used to try to land a desired position.

When writing your resume and cover letter, it can be tempting to explain to hiring managers your personal motivations for seeking a more lucrative position. There is nothing wrong with wanting to earn more money, but remember that prospective employers are more interested in what you can contribute to the job than your financial trials and tribulations.