Online job services were meant to automate the job search
process, getting jobseekers in front of prospective new
employers faster. How well is it working for you? If
you've sent out dozens of resumes and gotten little or no
response, it probably feels like you're sending your resume
into a vast black hole. Do you feel like shouting "Hey, is
anyone out there?"
To better the odds that your resume is being seen by a real
person who can offer you a real job, here are three
guidelines to make your resume more effective.
1. Include Key Words
With paper resumes a thing of the past, employers use
candidate tracking databases to store resumes. Recruiters
and hiring managers use key words to query and find the
candidate resumes that match the job. If you aren't using
the right words to describe your employment experiences,
then your resume might be rejected before it's ever seen.
Review the key words your resume uses to:
* Describe your current career objective. Do your
qualifications match the job description? Look closely at
areas listing your technical skills, job responsibilities,
and core competencies.
* Attract your industry. Are you using your industry's
current buzzwords? Avoid obsolete terms and phases that
may label you as behind the times.
* Attract your occupational field. Does your resume give
the impression that you're cutting edge or over the hill?
Make sure your resume shows why you're a good choice for
the job.
2. Use the Correct Electronic Version
If your resume can't be opened as an attachment, then it
can't be seen. Because of the threat of computer viruses,
many companies only accept resumes through their own online
forms which ask you to cut and paste (rather than attach)
your resume. Make sure you are sending your resume in a
format that will work for the recipient.
* If a resume attachment is requested: Save your resume as
a Word document (.doc or .rtf). This is the standard that
most companies use. It should retain the formatting that
you used for your resume. Avoid fancy formatting options
such as columns, boxes, and tables.
* If an email or online form is used: Use ASCII, plain
text, or text only (.txt). This removes formatting, but
the information is preserved. Be sure to review your
resume before sending it so that it is still easy to read
and user friendly. 3. Make Your Resume Stand Out from
the Crowd
With hundreds of candidates to choose from, what makes your
resume shout "Pick me!"? If your qualifications are
similar or equal to the vast majority of other candidates,
employers will need a compelling reason to select you out
of the crowd. You need a differentiating edge, or you'll
be ignored.
The best way to differentiate your resume from others is
with accomplishments. And those accomplishments really
stand out when:
* They are quantified or measurable. Can you define how
much you accomplished in dollars saved, contracts won, or
percent changed?
* They highlight your transferable skills. Can your skills
be used by this company, even if your job experience is in
a different industry? Transferable skills help employers
visualize you in their organization.
* They show corporate impact. How can you help them save
time, save money, increase their profit margin, improve
sales, or increase revenue?
While the Internet is still a great tool to connect quickly
with employers, you need to take steps to ensure your
resume won't be ignored. Before you apply online again,
use these three tips to make sure your resume gets the
attention it deserves!
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Deborah Walker, Certified Career Management Coach, helps
jobseekers coast to coast navigate the Internet by staying
abreast of the significant technical changes that affect
online job-search strategies. Visit Deb on the web at
http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com
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