In today’s economy, people who had no difficulty landing jobs in the past are finding it increasingly difficult to find any job, much less their dream job. The first hurdle in getting a job is your resume, but most job seekers are not taking the extra effort to make their resume stand out from the crowd. While most people can write decent resumes, in today’s market you really need an outstanding resume that will make you shine. Job seekers should look to professional writers or software to create a quality, eye-catching document that will let the potential employer know they are the perfect candidate for the job.

It’s important to note that resume software is not a magic pill that will pop out an award-winning resume with no effort on your part. While resume writing software can be very helpful, you do need to put some effort in to the process. Consider the software an assistant there to help you build a resume using a step by step plan with questions and answers along the way. Most resume software programs guide you through the writing process by asking questions and building the resume tailored to your needs and requirements based on the answers you supply. There may also be formatting options so you can create a document that is unique to you and your style.

Many resume writing software programs can be used with software you already have such as Microsoft Word or other word processing programs. This makes the software easy to use and quick as well. While you could probably whip out a resume in 10 minutes using a software program, it’s advisable to spend at least half an hour making sure the final product is accurate, and showcases your skills and experience. Your resume is the first opportunity the employer will have to “meet” you, so the final product should be professional and exceptional.

Resume Maker is a professional resume software program that includes everything you need for your job search. In addition to creating a professional resume quickly using a step-by-step guide (including 1,250 complete resume samples for nearly every career), Resume Maker also includes cover letter templates, a job search function, a section to help you prepare for interviews, and advice to help you negotiate for a better salary. A word of caution though, reviewers of Resume Maker have mentioned that the software is “buggy” and can crash on you, so make sure you save your work frequently.

No matter which resume software you use, in today’s economy you truly need a resume that will emphasize your strengths and qualities to help you land the job. A resume software program can help you create a quality document quickly, and generally costs a lot less than professional resume writers. Good luck with your job hunt!