The start of any new year is typically a time for review and assessment. Unfortunately with the phrases “down turn economy”, “hard economic times” , “redundancy” and “layoff” becoming more commonplace, review and assessment take on a whole new meaning.For businesses it quite simply means, “how do we get through this year while keeping a bit of profit on the table?” For employees, regardless of industry, it is time to ask “will I be able to get another job and am I ready?”Over the past two years the numbers of individuals seeking employment who hadn’t expected to be unemployed has increased dramatically which in turn has significantly changed the competitive landscape.For the inexperienced, they are now competing against seasoned professionals and for the seasoned professional they are now competing against lots of seasoned professionals.Unfortunately, while past performance is viewed as the best predictor of future performance, it is no predictor of how long you could be out of work.Finding work in a tight market is not an overnight process. Over the next few articles I am going to share with you some fool-proof tips for ensuring that you are in the best possible position for finding work. While these may not land you that dream job in a single afternoon, they will at least prevent you from being dismissed before you ever have the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability.Firstly . . . the resumé. As an experienced human resources professional who has seen every iteration of resume from the brightly coloured to the review of the 1970s to the lightly scented, all too often I find myself wishing “if only this person hadn’t . . .”So please, if you are over the age of 30, do not write about your summer job in 1972 or the certificate you received in 1984. Keep your treasured awards and letters of commendation safe in a drawer.Stay current a resumé should be a snapshot of what you have done recently, not a trip down memory lane with strains of ‘Yesterday’ playing in the background.Secondly, if you do not have e-mail, get your own. Do not send anything from sweetcakes111[AT]yahoo.com; hotchicks97[AT]gmail.com or thestrongman69[AT]northrock.bm. Do I really need to point out the images these convey?If you have never done a resume or don’t have access to a computer, please remember the Government Labour & Training Department has an entire career assistance department there to help you free of charge!Then, credibility can you back up what you have stated on your resumé and more importantly, will your references? Do not claim to have raised revenue 54 percent while singlehandedly leading the company through an organisational change exercise designed to leverage strategy for maximum optimisation in the marketplace! Attending a meeting once does not a doer make! Any potential employer wants to know at a glance what you have done and what you could offer them.Lastly, the submissions. Employers understand that job seekers are anxious to get employed but the sympathy factor diminishes when they are subjected to a barrage of resumés for positions that you are not qualified for.Take the time to review your strengths and understand the types of roles you are best suited for and then select those jobs or companies where you will be seen as having the potential to add value.If a company has more than one position available, simply add a note or make a call to request that your resumé be put forward for all suitable positions rather than sending through multiple copies.While these may seem like commonplace steps, establishing your credibility as a potential employee begins long before a decision is made to interview you (or not).Kelly Francis is the founder of Performance Solutions Limited a professional services firm specialising in human resource consulting and immigration management. Contact Kelly on kelly_francis[AT]psolutions.bm, or visit the website www.psolutions.bm.