Get a Job: It's not who you know - it's who knows you

This is Part 2 of a 3-Part Series on getting a job. The series continues Wednesday at 6 p.m. on KVAL 13 TV News.

EUGENE, Ore. - You've skimmed the classifieds, scoped out the ads online and found your perfect job.

So now what? 

"The most important thing you can do for yourself in the job search is to clearly communicate: here is how I'm different from other people out there with similar experience," said Doug Anders, founder of Purpose Works. 

A resume can do just that. 

Anders is a career counselor and professional resume writer. 

"I help people try and figure out what they want to do when they grow up," he said.
 
He said to think of your resume as an advertisement designed to sell your skills and individuality. 

"It is a message-driven document," he said. "You want to spark employers interest enough to make them want to talk to you."

Work history and job skills are essential, but a resume needs to be more. 

I let anders take a look at my resume.

"It's not clear if it's a one or a two pager," he said. "It's best to have your resume fit neatly on one page or two pages."

A half empty page will appear unfinished.

"Many resumes will start with something that says I'm motivated, I'm hard working," Anders said. "Those statements by themselves can be fluff to an employer who's seen 100 resumes."

Anders said to start your resume with highlights of qualifications that tell a story. You also should avoid templates that create a cookie-cutter feel.

"A good resume is consistent with the person that walks through the door," he said. "A resume is not a historical document if it's done right. That is the difference from being a job applicant and being an employee."
  
Anders alo suggests making your online image consistent with your professional image.

Create contacts using websites like LinkedIn and Facebook, and let friends know you are interested in their line of work. Anders said often times its not who you know - but who knows you.