If you are an IT professional interested in looking for a new job for the upcoming year, good news for you! IT job growth is on the rise, with recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October 2013 Employment Situation Summary reporting that professional and technical employment rose in October and has grown by 213,000 jobs over the past year.

So, now that we’ve established that there are a variety of opportunities available across the technology sector, how can one put their best foot forward to be recognized by employers as a leading candidate?

“The most important first step is getting yourself noticed, and the key to doing this lays in how well your resume has been written,” explains Michael Manganelli, Senior Technical Recruiter at ES Technology, a division of The Execu|Search Group.  “Yes, there are many great opportunities available for the taking, but the reason why many of them have remained open for an extended period of time is because many employers have had a difficult time identifying, from resumes, whether or not applicants have the skills necessary for the position.  As a result, to make sure you are even considered by employers, it’s vital that you have a well-organized resume that clearly demonstrates your qualifications.”

If you need guidance on how to do this, here are some tips from Michael, who regularly advises his IT candidates on best resume-writing practices:

Put emphasis on your skills

Many job seekers make the mistake of thinking it is enough to simply list all the technologies they are skilled in or have certifications in, in a “skills section” at the top or bottom of their resume.  While it may be helpful to have a section that summarizes your skills, employers want to see what you can professionally bring to the table and in what ways.  Michael believes that the “employment history” section is the most appropriate place to do this.  “Employers want to see where and in what specific capacity you worked with a technology/software/program and what results you achieved with it, so at least one of your bullet points under each job in your employment history should encompass this concept.”  Presenting your skills in this manner will not only save the hiring manager time reviewing your resume, but will also help clearly position yourself as a candidate who can drive the business forward.

Tailor your resume

When applying for jobs, some jobseekers fall into the trap of applying to any and all jobs they see, and submitting one resume for every single one of them.  The same sentiment applies for posting resumes to job boards such as Dice.  “Though it may be easy to have one go-to resume that includes a list of all your skills, all your experiences, and every acronym for every technology you have knowledge of, it actually makes your resume much more difficult to read and your job search less efficient,” explains Michael.  Rather than applying to every opportunity out there, Michael recommends reflecting on all your past experiences, evaluating your strengths, and researching employment opportunities to figure out what type of job would be the best fit for you.  Once you establish fit and start applying, make sure you take a good look at the job description and really tailor your resume to show how you are an excellent candidate for that specific job.  Removing any irrelevant information from your resume and emphasizing how your skillset would make you successful in the position will not only make you look more attractive to prospective employers but will also increase your chances of having your resume appear in search results when hiring managers and recruiters search for specific keywords from the job description when looking for prospective candidates.

Remember, the ball is in your court. There are plenty of great opportunities for skilled IT professionals with leading employers, but in order to get in front of these employers, you first have to take some time to review and make some edits to your resume.  Once your resume aptly reflects your qualifications and what direction you want to take your career in, you may see your interviewing opportunities and job prospects prosper!