Your chances of landing a new job this year are much improved, thanks to a brighter hiring picture. They will be even better if you follow this advice: Be brief.

Too many candidates put together long-winded resumes and cover letters that ramble on about past responsibilities in roles they no longer want.

"Remember, this isn't the third installment of 'Lord of the Rings,'" says Russ Jones, principal of First Transitions, a career company in Chicago.

Instead, every word on your resume should reinforce your desired goal and convince employers that you are well qualified for it. To do this, nail down your job objective and then aim your resume at this target. This approach also works best when meeting with contacts and during interviews.

When employers say, "Tell me about yourself," get to the point by saying precisely what makes you ideal for the job. Shortening your spiel will help you to stand out from the pack.

Many employers prefer one-page resumes -- regardless of how long and illustrious a career you've had. State what you've done in the past five to seven years, and not much more. Few hiring managers are interested in the details of your early career or in your minor roles.

You don't need to recite a blow-by-blow account of past positions. Tell employers what you want them to know: Why they should hire you for the position you're seeking. If anything seems irrelevant or steers readers away from this impression, leave it out.

Also, while it may seem obvious, "if you hate something you did in your past job, don't put it in your resume," Mr. Jones says. "Otherwise, people may hire you to do what you hate."