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Dear Sam: I recently graduated from college and have been job hunting for the past three months with no results. My problem is that I have limited work experience. How can I make my rsum eye-catching?

- Emily

Dear Emily: I wish there was a formula to predict the length of a job search. The success of each candidate's search depends on numerous factors. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to shorten the length of your search. Selecting an objective for which you are qualified, creating a strong and targeted resume, sharpening your interviewing skills and exhausting all search options will help get your foot in the door and land that job sooner.

Among those many factors that can impact the success and length of your search, realistic objectives and remaining fl exible to opportunities, titles and compensation levels are important. Keep in mind that some factors are outside of your control, such as the demand in your industry and for your particular skill set, and the personal preferences of each hiring manager. So how do you shorten the length of your search?

Define your goal. Determine your goal and clearly identify your transferable skills; a hiring manager won't have time to relate past experiences to current interests. Don't get trapped into creating a one-size-fi ts-all resume. Instead, define a primary objective, and refocus your rsum to meet the needs of secondary goals. If you try to create one rsum for multiple objectives, the result will be a diluted presentation of your candidacy to each hiring manager.

As a recent graduate with little or no work experience, you must sell your degree and the coursework you have completed. Also, highlight the skills you have demonstrated in the classroom or the work experience you do have that relates to your objective.

Develop a "value-based" resume. Your resume needs to sell your value to a hiring manager. Don't develop a reume that simply serves as a narrative of your background. Instead, prioritize engagements, responsibilities and achievements based on your objective. Be sure to market your candidacy effectively and answer the hiring manager's question of why he or she should interview you.

Format your resume using up-to-date protocols and begin with a qualifications summary, not an objective statement. Also, be sure your resume looks professional and "meaty" and isn't formatted using an overused template. The summary should tell the hiring manager about the core qualifications, experiences and achievements that position you to perform in your profession of choice. (Think about team projects you may have led, extracurricular activities you were involved in, or even skills you demonstrated while juggling part-time work and school.) Remember, recent studies estimate the screening process to be as short as seven seconds, so this summary is critical in getting your foot in the door.

Diversify your search.

Job boards and newspaper ads should form the foundation of your search, but there are other methods you can use to expand your search. Networking is a great way to fi nd unadvertised positions or gain valuable referrals for posted opportunities. If you don't have an extensive network, think about joining a local professional organization, community group, church organization or civic league. Don't be afraid to send a "cold contact" letter asking for an opportunity, regardless of whether one is posted.

Prepare for the interview. Give your friends and family members your resume and have them quiz you on different aspects of your background. Develop scripts for the questions you have struggled with in past interviews. Record yourself so you can watch your interview to analyze your verbal communication and nonverbal cues. And never turn down an opportunity to interview. The more practice you get, the more confident you will be when the interview for your dream job comes along.

Remain positive. While this might be easier said than done, it is critical you remain positive during your search. Keeping a good attitude will help maximize your success.

Do you have a resume or job-search question for Dear Sam? Write to dearsam @ ladybug - design . com.

Do you need help writing an interview-winning resume? Contact Samantha and her firm, Ladybug Design, at (614) 570-3442 or visit www.ladybug-design.com.

Do you have a question for Dear Sam? Please write to dearsam@dispatch.com. Samantha Nolan is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer with a graduate degree in Marketing and Communication and owner of Ladybug Design, a full-service résumé writing firm.

For more information, call 614-570-3442 or 1-888-9-LADYBUG or visit www.ladybug-design.com.