However, if you are still unsure about what exactly will attract the favorable attention of an employer, take heart -- you're not alone. All job candidates face the challenge of having to differentiate themselves from other applicants. Here are some tips:

• Be succinct. Don't use lengthy paragraphs in your resume to describe your academic or internship experience. Hiring managers primarily are looking for a brief but informative report to help them understand why you are a match for the position. 
  
  
• Develop a hook. Capturing the reader's attention is critical when writing your cover letter. Employers look at this document as a brief introduction to you and a lead-in to your resume. 
  
  
• Address the company's needs. Employers seek evidence of your expertise and interest in their field and are trying to gauge if you possess the specific attributes they require. Customize your resume and make sure the details you provide reinforce your qualifications for the position. 
  
  
• Proofread your documents thoroughly. Even one typo can disqualify your materials. According to recent research by Robert Half International, 34 percent of executives surveyed cited typos or grammatical errors as the most common resume mistake.

In today's competitive business environment, busy finance and accounting managers have to keep an eye on the bottom line and make sure that every hire is a valuable addition to their team. Keep in mind that to make the right impression, it helps to view your position from the hiring manager's desk and tailor your materials to respond to the company's needs.

Look for Part Two of this series, "Developing Your Soft Skills," next month.

ACCOUNTEMPS is a specialized temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Accountemps provides support throughout an accounting department. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Accountemps and has more than 270 offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Accountemps' Career Counselor column, a SmartPros staple for over four years, is refreshed twice a month.