With the U.S. unemployment rate hovering around 9.5 percent, many people find themselves looking for jobs. Meanwhile, some of those who have managed to hold on to their jobs in the midst of massive downsizing have endured shoddy employer treatment this past year, including significant increases in workload alongside financial hits such as slashed benefits and pay.

As a result, the unemployed are not the only ones looking for new jobs.

In this edition of Expert's Corner, Debbie Shalom, founder of the Maryland-based Amazing Résumés and Coaching Services, offers tips on assessing whether it's time to make a career change, as well as how to perfect your résumé and avoid common interview mistakes.

IMT: In today's business environment, many workers are feeling overworked and stressed-out, which could signal the need for a new job — or an entirely new career. In cases like this, how can working professionals determine if the career they've chosen is right for them?

DS: The first step is to determine what has altered in your current position or mindset and analyze the reasons for that change. Are the underlying reasons temporary or permanent? Does your discontent stem from changes in your personal life (marriage, divorce, acquisition of new degree or skill-sets) or professional situation (additional job responsibilities, new boss, reduction in salary)? Understanding the causes of your dissatisfaction will help you decide whether a change is necessary.

One of the consequences of today's challenging economy is the number of workers being downsized to contain costs. As a result, workers who remain employed have to assume additional responsibilities. If you are in this situation, you need to ask yourself if this is the cause of your discontent.

If the answer is affirmative, then you need to assess whether this situation is temporary or permanent. Initiating a dialogue with your boss on this topic can provide you with a clearer picture and enable you to make an intelligent decision. A question to ask your employer is, "Are you planning to hire additional personnel, and if so, when is your hiring period?" Questions for you to consider are, "How long has it been since I had a vacation?" and, "Am I leading a healthy lifestyle?"

IMT: What key questions should professionals ask themselves to determine whether they should pursue a new job or an entirely new career?

DS: If after answering the earlier questions you conclude the problem is not temporary or caused by you, then you need to discover if the problem is with your present position. Some questions to ask:

• Does this job present me with opportunities to learn and expand my skills?
• Do I receive unbiased and meaningful evaluations on a regular basis?
• Do I fit in with the company's culture and mission?
• Does my compensation package meet my expectations?

If your responses to those questions are affirmative, you should think about these career-related questions:

• What are my long-term career goals? Can they be attained in my present position?
• Does this career align well with my skill sets, values, interests, work style, education and personality?
• What skills and knowledge would I like to use more often?
• Do I love what I do and feel fulfilled from my work?

Asking and answering bottom-line questions that get to the root of your dissatisfaction is an excellent way to discover why you are unhappy and what your next career move should be.

IMT: In today's job market, having the right qualifications may not be enough to land a position. Crafting an effective résumé significantly increases the odds of getting a candidate's foot in the door. What are the most important elements of a standout résumé?

DS: A résumé's main purpose is to assist the job seeker in acquiring interviews with targeted employers. Today's struggling economy and scarcity of potential jobs complicates this process and creates additional challenges for job seekers. However, I believe that "standout" résumés will overcome these hurdles if they contain three key elements: strategic planning, authenticity and achievement-based actions.

Strategic Planning — Before hiring a new employee, an employer considers many variables. Does the job seeker have the personal attributes, skills and education needed to fill this position? Does his or her professional experience match the employer's needs?

As you create your résumé, you need to identify your target(s) and develop an approach that is strategic and workable. What information will be included? How will the information be organized? Will the résumé be written in a chronological, functional or hybrid format?

Authenticity — The second characteristic of a standout résumé is authenticity. Does the résumé convey a true and honest picture of the job seeker's attributes and achievements? One way to communicate this information is through "personal branding," a marketing term that deals with image. Since the résumé is a marketing tool, it must establish the job seeker's professional image. It does this by providing accurate and authentic details of management style, leadership abilities, areas of expertise and transferrable skills.

Achievement-Based — The third key attribute of a "standout" résumé is its ability to convey an individual's professional value. Does the résumé include professional accomplishments that perfectly match the job description? Are the achievements quantified whenever possible?

Prospective employers base their hiring decisions on many factors — one of which is past performance. Companies do not want to invest time and money training an applicant only to discover he or she is incapable of doing the work. Therefore, it is imperative to include relevant accomplishments that convey professional value and expertise.

IMT: The job interview is perhaps the best opportunity for prospective employees to assess how well their background, skills, experience and even personality will fit into the culture and operations of an organization. What are the major mistakes applicants should avoid during this part of the job search?

DS: Extensive research should be an integral part of the job-search process. This action will provide job seekers with a competitive edge when interviewing for a job. When a job seeker takes the time to research an employer's needs, he or she is able to respond to interview questions in a targeted and comprehensive manner. Communicating your unique value proposition during the interview will position you as a valuable asset and solution.

Researching potential companies and positions benefits the job seeker, of course. Asking and answering questions enables you to discover whether the company is a good fit for your personality, work style and skill-sets. Do you possess the knowledge, skills and motivation to succeed? Knowing this is the right position/company for you encourages you to be more enthusiastic and verbally fluent during your interview. Understanding the company culture, mission, management and decision-making styles can assist you in communicating your value.

Gaining in-depth knowledge of the position's requirements and challenges before the interview is an additional reason to research a company. Understanding and linking the position requirements to the company's short- and long-term business objectives will market you as a knowledgeable and resourceful professional who values the bottom line. To access this information, you can speak with vendors, company employees and HR representatives.

Remember, the more information you have about the position, employer, products, industry trends and key issues, the more opportunity you have to link your strengths to the employer's needs.

Debbie Shalom, founder of Amazing Résumés and Coaching Services, is a certified master résumé writer, career management coach and outplacement trainer. As a highly experienced writer and coach, Debbie believes that "providing clients with guidance and tools to be successful in their careers and lives is the most creative, fulfilling vocation that exists." Debbie is the first and only résumé writer in the state of Maryland to achieve the prestigious Master Résumé Writer designation. A highly regarded author and speaker, Debbie has been interviewed for numerous media outlets, including Fox 45 News, the Washington Post and the Baltimore Business Journal, among others. For more about Debbie, visit AmazingResumesMD.com or e-mail amazingresumes@verizon.net.