Q: I am an independent consultant and have been fortunate to have had several long-term, and high-profile clients. In the past, I've also had part-time work running concurrently with a client project. I've got loads of experience, and would like to get a full time position with a company but what I am finding is that my resume (to some recruiters) looks like I am a job hopper, when in reality, its a series of back to back long term contracts (6 -12 months+), though I explain to screeners that its "the nature of the beast" so to speak, I can't get past the fact that my CV looks choppy. Is there a better way to highlight my experience and skills with these companies without it looking like I can't hold a job?

Q. When doing a resume can you list temp or volunteer jobs that you had worked at in the past?

Q. I originally worked at Bank A, and then accepted a job at Bank B. After 8 months at Bank B, Bank A acquired them. Not wanting to return to Bank A, I found a new job. My question is, do I have to differentiate between Bank A and Bank B on my resume? Or can I just say the company I worked for was Bank A for both positions?

A. Telling this story is confusing, and making it clear on a resume may be a challenge too. A good resume shows the progression of your career, and highlights your accomplishments. It also shows verifiable information, which employers, contingency and retained search firms will review and confirm as part of their reference check on any new candidates.

Q: I have emailed many, many resumes to ads on the job boards. I also have applied to jobs listed on company websites. How do I make sure that my resume is reviewed -- especially when it says not to call the company? I am sure that companies are receiving hundreds of resumes for a single position right now.

A:You are right. Companies are being flooded with job-related inquiries right now. I have a client who recently posted a mid-level professional role on several job boards and the client received over 400 resumes in under three days. We took the posting down on the fourth day. And many of my clients do specify that they prefer no phone calls because they need time to review the resumes. Additionally, recruiters are also calling these employers requesting that they help the company fill the job.

A few recommendations:

Q. My wife was laid off from a good job in August. She is an MSW and has worked successfully for about 15 years in human service administration. She is also almost half way through a four-year part time program in law school. She is applying for the same kind of human service administration jobs she had before, but I was wondering if employers see her as a lame duck in this field since she is going to law school. She has had a few interviews and she has not made it to the second round. In the past, she has found work quite readily, even in lean economic times. An option could be to omit mention of law school on the resume, but could that be viewed as a form of deception and misrepresentation? Another option would be for her to pursue paralegal jobs, but she has found that this kind of work, if available, does not pay much. I would appreciate your thoughts.

A. Job seekers get into trouble when they claim to have a degree that they don’t have, rather than the other way around. In your wife’s case, she doesn’t have the law degree yet; she is simply going to school part-time. If she chooses to omit mention of law school on her resume, I don’t think that an employer would view this as deception or misrepresentation.

It’s impossible to know why your wife is not getting job offers or even second interviews. This may or may not have anything to do with her mention of law school. It could simply be a function of the economy and the fact that employers have the luxury of choosing among many highly qualified candidates.

Q: I held a state position as a Court Administrator for ten years. I have been looking for work since August 2008. I have completed every training course provided by the state and hold many certificates. I have so much experience in what I do and applied to so many positions within the state and all I receive are thank you but no thank you letters. Why? I have gone on one interview where I made it to the second interview, had my references checked, and no call back yet. They seemed like they were really interested so I called human resources and she tells me by next week I should know something. The position has not been filled. It’s almost 2-1/2 weeks since the interview. I'm confused as to what they are looking for and why work experience and certificates don't even land you an interview...

A: Searching for a job, at any time, is an incredibly frustrating experience. You do all the right things, you have all the right credentials, you interview well, and still there is no job offer. Add in this horrible economic environment and you have an incredibly challenging time to find work.

I can only suggest three things:

Q. I am a senior communications/marketing/PR professional looking to move to the Boston area from New York, and have spent a lot of time networking over the past year, which has resulted in a few interviews. Several Boston search firm executives I spoke with said to use a Boston address (my sister's, whom I would live with once I got the job) on the resume, or many hiring managers would not consider me, as they normally prefer someone who is already in Boston. I do explain my situation in the cover letter, but I am afraid they would not look at the letter if they see a NY address. I just need to get my foot in the door to get an interview. In addition to the networking, what do you suggest I do?

A. Let me answer your questions in the reverse order. Here are some additional strategies that might enhance your long-distance job search:

1. Read Boston newspapers, journals and publications such as the Boston Business Journal, and the Boston Globe, on a regular basis, for both job listings and relevant business news.

2. Join (and start attending the meetings of) at least one Boston-based professional association or the Boston chapter of a national professional association.

Q. My husband was laid off recently. This is our first experience with unemployment. Almost everything I have read says the large Internet job sites are a waste of time. What should the first step be in the job search? He was a manager in telecommunications.

A. To be successful during a period of unemployment, your husband needs to balance solitary tasks - such as visiting Internet job sites - with those that include face-to-face contact with people.

In my experience, the most successful job seekers follow a detailed job search plan, which includes actively networking and using the Web sparingly. Encourage your husband to set six-month, three-month, weekly, and daily goals, and to make reviewing his goals a twice-daily habit, like brushing his teeth.

Q. I was a health care manager for years in Boston. Then I decided to work in international health and lived overseas for a number of years. I chose to return to Boston in time for Obama's stupendous win and a serious economic recession. I'm networking, applying, interviewing, checking websites, etc. While I'm waiting for a job offer, I need to make some money. But temp agencies see my resume and can't help me. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pay my bills?

A: Welcome back to Boston. Yes, that “R” word is frightening. The impact on the economic climate, particularly the labor market, is unnerving for sure. It sounds like you are being very active about your search – that's great! Looking for a job can certainly be a full-time job.

I do have one piece of advice – for you and maybe a few others. No one ever said that you should rely on one version of your resume for every opportunity. Yes, in the “old days” before we all had access to word processing, we all had “the resume.” Today, more and more savvy job seekers have several different versions.

Q: I am looking for a job and I can work in several different fields. My experience over the years – and also my hobbies – allow me choose among many different opportunities. The problem is that I send my resume to all the places that have openings that interest me, but none of the companies respond other then with a nicely worded rejection letter. Do you have any suggestions for me, as I have been looking for quite awhile?

A: This is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that you can do so many things. The bad news is that companies want specific skills for their particular job opening. This is especially true today, when hiring a new employee and adding the cost of the salary and benefits to their payroll is such a major decision. Employers do not necessarily need someone who has dabbled in a subject, but rather want someone who can demonstrate that they can do the specific job for which they are recruiting.

Q: When applying to a job from out of state, how do you deal with employers who doubt your interest in and ability to move within a reasonable amount of time? Should you put a friend's Boston-based address on your resume just to get initial consideration?

A: I am seeing more and more candidates apply for positions out of their geographic area, so this is not uncommon. If you have ties to the Boston area, that certainly helps (example: attended college in Massachusetts or lived here as a child).