Consider these resume-related resolutions

The start of the year is an ideal time to reflect upon your career. If securing a new job is one of your goals for 2008, consider making a few resume-related resolutions. First vow to review your resume closely for typos and grammatical errors.Then commit to developing a thorough proofreading process. This might involve reading your resume and cover letter a certain number of times before submitting them or always asking at least two members of your professional network for editing suggestions. Hopefully, the following candidates from the Resumania archives will establish better habits this year than these examples from the past:"POSITION DESIRED: Profreader."It doesn't look good ...COVER LETTER: "Please overlook my resume."If you insist."WORK HISTORY: I have many tears' experience in sales."But you stayed with it, and that's what counts!COVER LETTER: "I am very interested in the newspaper add for the accounting position."And we're divided on your qualifications."JOB DUTIES: Word processing, phones and running errors."Looks like you missed one."DATE OF EMPLOYMENT: 2002-9999."She's earned her gold watch!Another resolution should be to target your resume to each potential employer you contact. Play up your skills and work experiences that most closely relate to the open position. In short, tell hiring managers what you can do for them -- not what they should do for you. "REQUIREMENTS: I'll need $30K to start, full medical, three weeks' vacation, stock options and, ideally, a European sedan."No corporate jet?Finally, for best results, show off your enthusiasm and positive attitude."QUALIFICATIONS: I have guts, drive, ambition and heart, which is probably more than a lot of the drones that you have working for you."We'll tell them you said so.For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International Inc., 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies" and "Job Hunting For Dummies," 2nd Edition. His most recent book is the newly released "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition.)