By MAX MESSMER, Scripps Howard News Service

Attention job seekers: Don't let up as 2009 winds down.

The challenging hiring environment has led some job seekers to use unorthodox tactics to grab attention. Robert Half International recently asked executives to name the most unusual strategies applicants have employed.

You've gone to great lengths to craft the perfect resume. You've proofread with diligence, carefully dotting every i and crossing every t. But before you submit your resume, you should re-read each bullet point or sentence and ask yourself this question: Will including this piece of information help a prospective employer better understand my skills, abilities and professional experience?

When it comes to your resume, using a tried-and-true approach to attracting a hiring manager's attention is often the best strategy. Seventy-five percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said they prefer a chronological resume that's organized by dates of employment rather than a functional resume, which emphasizes skills over previously held positions.

According to a recent survey by Robert Half International and job-search site CareerBuilder.com, 44 percent of the resumes employers receive are from unqualified candidates. In fact, 47 percent of managers said their biggest hiring challenge is a lack of qualified applicants.

Before submitting your resume and cover letter, don't forget to proofread them. Better yet, ask a friend to review them for you as well. Just one or two typos can harm your chances of landing an interview. Busy hiring managers who are inundated with resumes from job hopefuls are looking for any reason to narrow the list. Don't let a simple mistake on your resume take you out of the running.

When it comes to your resume, sometimes what you leave out is more important that what you put in. Hiring managers generally have just a few minutes to review applications they receive. As a result, your qualifications may not catch an employer's eye if they are buried among irrelevant information.

COVER LETTER: "Yup! I was the girl behind the candy counter, boxing and selling those wonderful chocolates that everyone adores so much."

Can we get free samples?

It's true that employers seek professionals who are passionate about their work. This candidate did a nice job of demonstrating her joy for her job, but her overly casual tone could turn off some hiring managers.

From the sight of yellow school buses to the clanking sound of lunch boxes, signs abound that school is back in session. It's a time of year when many people reflect on their own school days. But despite the warm memories you may have of early scholastic successes, avoid waxing nostalgic when you are preparing your resume or including education details that may no longer be relevant.

After writing and proofreading your resume and cover letter, there's one more critical document to create: a reference list. While you shouldn't submit references with your application, you want to have the sheet on hand in case a hiring manager requests it.