1. Keep it to one or two pages — recruiters skim fast
2. Lead with a clear objective statement
3. Use numbers: "Increased sales 25%" beats "Handled sales"
4. Match keywords from the job posting
5. Proofread three times. Typos are the fastest way to get filtered out.

Before: Research the company. Prepare STAR-format answers. Arrive 15 minutes early.

During: Firm handshake, eye contact, ask one thoughtful question about the role.

After: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. It still makes a difference in 2005.

Role	Entry	Mid	Senior
Software Developer	$45k	$65k	$90k
Marketing Manager	$35k	$50k	$70k
Financial Analyst	$40k	$55k	$75k
HR Specialist	$30k	$42k	$58k