Recruiters face hundreds of questions, so when you are asked “Does Loyalty mean anything these days?“ coming from a candidate with 22 years work experience; you sit back and take notice.

Samantha (name changed for privacy reasons) 22 years PA experience, the last 14 with the same company, excellent skills and credentials has found it difficult securing an interview. Problem was not with Samantha, the job market or her skills, it was her resume! It was structured in the traditional manner and presented only her basic details and responsibilities. The key is to present your long-term work history as a positive attribute and use your stable experience as a selling point in enhancing your resume.

Here are 7 easy ways on how to :

1. Keep Learning - Some employers might view your long-term employment as an indication that your skills have stagnated. Prove them wrong by constantly refreshing your skills through formal education and self-study. Participate in professional development courses sponsored by your employer or paid out-of-pocket. Create a Professional Development section on your resume to list your ongoing education.

2. Remove Outdated Skills – Obsolete skills are a sure sign of a dinosaur, so omit them. If you aren’t sure, ask a trusted colleague or recruiter whether or not a particular skill is in vogue. You can also glean this information by scouring job ads — if the skill isn’t included in job postings, it should probably be omitted.

3. List Different Positions Separately – Promotions illustrate that your company realized your worth and offered you more responsibility. Even lateral moves indicate your employer recognized your diverse talents. Instead of grouping all of your positions under one heading, give your positions individual descriptions along with distinct time periods. Reinforce your internal mobility with terms such as “promoted to” or “selected by CEO to assist with a new department start-up.” If you’ve been in the same position for your entire tenure, show how you’ve grown in this position and made a difference to the organization.

4. Display Accomplishments – Your employment description should go beyond merely listing job duties. To get noticed in this competitive job market, your resume should feature a track record of accomplishments. If you feel stifled in your current position, volunteer for a project that’s outside your core competency to experience new challenges and develop new skills.

5. Use Your Employment History to Your Advantage – Use longevity, dedication, commitment, loyalty, and perseverance as selling points, both on your resume and at interviews.

6. Highlight Experiences Related to Your Goal – If you’ve been with a company for many years, chances are that you boast a long list of achievements. However, your resume should only present the experience, skills and training that relate to your current goal. Edit your experience so that you are armed with a powerful resume that is tailored to your current job target.

7. Create a Career Summary Section – A well-written summary at the beginning of your resume will present your career in a positive light. The summary provides an initial hard sell, demonstrating you are highly qualified for your stated goal.

Conducting a job search after a long period with one company can seem daunting, but realize that your experience provides you with skills that will be of value to your next employer.

Loyalty does matter ………. even in 2010 !!