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When jobs are tight and unemployment is high, job hunters are sometimes tempted to throw everything but the kitchen sink into their resumes. The hope is that an employer will sift through their information and find something that will appeal to them. But that’s not the best approach.

It’s better to create your resume by deciding what kind of a job you're going after and focusing on the aspects of your background that fit the needs of that particular type of employer.

This strategic thinking is the foundation of a great resume. Excellent writing is important, but it can’t overcome a failure to understand what employers want, and to position yourself as a candidate who's got it.

Figure out what your strongest assets are for the job you are going after, then arrange your resume to showcase them.

For example, if it’s your past jobs rather than your more recent ones that make the best case for you, use a format that puts them at the top.

Always give the most attention to aspects of your background that are similar to the challenges you would face in the new job.

Accomplishments that are less relevant should get less space. No matter how impressive they are, if they aren’t relevant to the type of job you’re applying for, they shouldn’t get top billing.

In these tumultuous economic times, it’s not easy to get an employer’s attention. The best way to do that is to analyze what they 're likely to want, then spoon feed them the parts of your background that directly address their needs.

(The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of St. Louis Public Radio.)

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