The one constant in the military life appears to be "change." Making sure your resume is sharp, stands out, and accurately reflects your skills is one way to make job transitions a lot smoother. With these tips you can make your resume a great representation of your skill set and be assured that if the job is the right fit, you will make the interviewer's short list.

1. Email. Use a professional email address that is preferably a combination of your first and last name. Make sure that you check this mailbox frequently (including the junk or spam folder!).
   
   
2. Phone. Include your area code on the resume, and make sure your phone number rings somewhere where you (and not children or other visitors) can pick it up. Make sure your outgoing message is clear, professional, states your name, and doesn't have your favorite song as a "ringback."
   
   
3. Don't use an objective. Objectives can make a resume look dated, and are often too generic to be helpful. Instead, consider a "Professional Summary" or "Profile Statement."  Using just a few sentences or bullet points, this should communicate who you are, what you have to offer, and what makes you unique.
   
   
4. Fonts. This is not the right venue to use that cute font that you just found. Stick to the standard, easy-on-the-eyes and computer-friendly fonts of Arial or Times New Roman. Keep it to a 10-12 font size.
   
   
5. DUTACWG. Confused? This one stands for "Don't Use Acronyms Civilians Won't Get."  MWR and PCSing mean something specific and relevant to the people in your military community, but  hiring managers at non-military-affiliated firms may be scratching their head. Remember to spell things out, and even give a brief "civilian translation" if you think it's warranted. Hint: If you can find your acronym on the Military Spouse Glossary, you probably need to give more detail.
   
   
6. Gaps in employment. You may have gaps in your employment history due to completing an education, frequent moves or raising children. The best way to address these gaps is by using a functional resume instead of the more common chronological version.  This will help employers spotlight on the skills and experience you have accumulated.
   
   
7. Proofread. Once you finish your resume, save the file and close it. Take a walk outside and get a cup of coffee or even a good night's sleep. When you come back, re-read it. Then try reading it aloud. Then send it to a few trusted friends for feedback. Even better, get online and speak to a professional Career Tutor at Tutor.com. Military families have 24/7 access to a Career Tutor who can help create, fine-tune, and proofread resumes (as well as cover letters, applications, and much more!).
   

For eligibility and information on how Tutor.com can help military families, spouses and students, please visit Tutor.com/military.