SEATTLE, WA -- Many industries are playing a bit of a waiting game while we see how the employment and market situation moves forward, and how long it takes to do so. Here are some ideas on what job seekers can do to maximize their employability during these difficult economic times.

Stay put - not unsound advice by any means, and clearly it's not a good time to be looking at leaving an employer for a new one, unless absolutely necessary. Minimize the gaps on your resume. If you find yourself in a situation of unemployment, the challenge is to find another role quickly so that you don't have a significant gap on your resume. One way to fill the gaps is by showing that you went back to school for extra training or volunteered to get more experience in your industry.

Critically analyze your resume - it sounds obvious, however approximately 50% of the resumes employers receive contain basic spelling and grammatical errors. Make sure you promote your successes and responsibilities in each recent role, and do not be afraid to explain or justify an employment gap where appropriate. Take the time to tidy up your resume presentation, and ask others that you trust to critically review it too.