Nodding your head complacently? Then this is precisely the time to reevaluate your resume. You need to know just how much you've accomplished so that you can be the one person in the company who does get the raise you deserved two quarters ago. A resume revamp doesn't have to be intimidating. In fact, in seven simple steps, your resume can reflect the better, brighter, more accomplished IT pro you've become.

1. LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. This pertains to printed resumes rather  than text-based ones sent via the Web. What does your resume  actually look like? Ignore the words for a moment. Is the layout  clear and concise? Is the font easily readable? Remember that a  sans serif font is harder to read that a serif font--though a sans  serif font can look more modern. Choose your font size wisely;  don't go smaller than 11 pt type if you want anyone to read about  all your accomplishments. Use bullet points, bold type, and spacing to help break up the information on the page.

2. USE STRONG ACTION VERBS TO DESCRIBE YOUR JOB DUTIES AND  ACCOMPLISHMENTS. You don't want to present a laundry list of your  day-to-day duties. Focus instead on the parts of your job that  earn you recognition and stress your leadership skills. For  example, instead of writing that you are "very involved in running  a team of programmers and keeping projects on schedule," try  saying that you "manage a team that consistently meets deadlines."

3. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR CONTENT. Is the important information readily  accessible? If you're job-hunting, remember that the people who  initially screen resumes often have only extremely basic technical  knowledge; they might not know an MCSD from a CCNA. Don't hide  your strong points in language that no one outside your field can  understand. And, even if you're happy where you are, you want your  resume to showcase your "hireability" so that your employer will  compensate you accordingly.

4. EASE UP ON THE TECHNICAL DETAILS. Remember, you're in management  now, and even though your tech skills got you where you are, it's  a different skill set that will propel you forward. Yes, you   can -- and should -- still list your technical skills, but make  sure the focus is on how those skills help you manage people and  technology more effectively.

5. STRESS BENEFITS, NOT FEATURES. Think back to your days as a  hardware engineer. Did you stress that the chip you designed  replaced up to 10 discrete components, or did you stress the  greater product functionality and smaller device sizes that your  customers could enjoy when they used your chip in their devices?  Now, apply that logic to your resume. Don't just say that you  devised a new off-site backup strategy for the company. Point out  that your off-site backup strategy reduced hardware and manpower  expenses by over 50 percent, reduced downtime substantially, and  increased client satisfaction 100 percent. See the difference?

6. PUT THE BOTTOM LINE ON TOP. Translate each of your accomplishments  into hours saved, money earned, and other tangible results for  the company. If you can't figure out how what you do every day  fits into the big picture, then you're doing something wrong. If  you know what the moneymaking tasks are and you're not finding  time for them, you also need to reprioritize. Your resume should  reflect the net worth you add to your organization.

7. ASK YOUR MOM TO READ YOUR RESUME. No offense to Mom, but unless  she is an IT pro, she's probably not too technically savvy. So if  she can read your resume and get a sense of what you do and why  someone might hire you, your resume is definitely on the right  track. If Mom can also proofread, then you're absolutely ready   for prime time.