Tuning Your Resume to the Right Keywords

Tuning Your Resume to the Right Keywords

Posted on 03. Apr, 2010 posted by Bill

At large companies, recruiters rely on a computer program called an applicant tracking system that stores and filters resumes to find the best candidates for a job. To make the match, ATS software relies on keywords – words and phrases that tell the program a candidate is a good match for a specific job description. Just as search engines like Google use keywords to find the right Web pages, ATS software uses keywords to find the right resumes.

How Employers Use Keywords

While they can’t guess the exact keywords recruiters are using, resume writers try to find the likeliest possibilities for your industry and function.

Where do you find the right keywords to include in your resume? Professional resume writers recommend you start with the job posting, which will contain a description of duties and qualifications. The ATS will try to match as many of the words in the job posting to the words on your resume. The more matches, the better the fit and the better the chances you will get an interview.

Repeated words, section headings and specific terms comprise good candidates for keyword selection. Also look at similar job postings as a cross-reference to find the most likely candidates for keywords. Recruiters and headhunters can often guide you. Online and print publications also include guides for keyword research.

Other sources of keyword research:
1. Go to Web sites that represent companies and associations related to the candidate’s target industry in search of other buzzwords.
2. Search LinkedIn profiles of users who have similar jobs to see what keywords they’re using.
3. Go to association Web sites to see what keywords other industry professionals have used.

While you’re researching keywords, keep a master list to make sure the important words are represented in your resume when you apply for specific jobs.

The specific words employers seek relate to the skills and experiences that demonstrate your experience with the skills necessary to do the job. Both hard and soft skills will fall in this category. Industry- and job-specific skills are almost always included in keyword lists. Highly technical fields can also include specific jargon or terms that demonstrate subject expertise. Job titles, certifications, types of degrees, college names and company names also demonstrate an applicant’s qualifications. Awards and professional organizations can also be considered strong keywords.

Ultimately, job hunters should ask themselves, “What keywords would I use if I were writing this job description?”

Matthew Rothenberg is editor-in-chief of TheLadders.com, the premier Web site for online job listings for $100K+ jobs, resume writing tips and resume advice.

At large companies, recruiters rely on a computer program called an applicant tracking system that stores and filters resumes to find the best candidates for a job. feedproxy.google.com

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Steal my 3 Steps to Write an Effective Resume

My 3 Steps are Keywords, Simplify and PDF.
But, the key to writing an effective resume is keywords, keywords and more keywords.

Keywords: words your client uses to describe their problem or need. These are not your words, or industry standard words. They are the words your client uses.

What to do:

1. Keywords: The only way to make a connection is by matching words (keywords). Your resume must match the words of the client to describe solving their problem. So, add more keywords. 

More keywords, a lot more. Make your resume 10 pages long. Repeated words, section headings and specific terms comprise good candidates for keyword selection. Also look at similar job postings as a cross-reference to find the most likely candidates for keywords.  There is no way to know how the client will describe their problem, or the way they think it needs to be solved. Just add more detail in every section of your resume. We have listed keywords here, here and here or you can Search 40x50.com for Keywords

2. Simplify: Simple headers, clear and verbose. Make it look boring, your resume must pass a computer filter before any human will read it. Use a single default font, bold headers, normal text for the body, bullet points and full dates. Make your resume easy to read. That is right plain and visually boring.

3. PDF: PDF is better than Word. PDF is typically uneditable. The computer systems read PDFs easier than Microsoft Word formatted resume. Also PDF is easier to parse for the job boards. My resume is built in a text editor, easy to update easy to modify.. no special cost involved.

Bonus tip: If a recruiter wants a word version of your resume, 90% chance they will revise it. You may never see the revision or what was actually sent to the client.

In order to pass through the automated filters, you need to write your resume to match the clients words (keywords) and expectations. Words matter, they are the only thing that is parsed or reviewed. Make sure you assert as much control as possible of the contents of your resume.

Results are the only measurement. No one cares what it looks like, only if it gets results.

 

6 Ways To Reduce Irrelevant Results On Google Search

The internet is not your library and if you thought a ton of books was an overwhelming amount of information, think again.

The internet doesn’t contain just a few dozen or hundred relevant sources, no, it contains millions or billions or even more. To make things worse, there is no friendly and intelligent librarian to help you sort through all this information. It’s only you and a stupid search engine. You better act smart.

The challenge when searching online is to find only relevant information or – in other words – avoid irrelevant results on Google search. In this article I will show you 6 ways to reduce these false hits, so that you get better overall search results.

Surprisingly, the most effective way to reduce irrelevant results on Google search, may be not to use Google’s search engine in the first place. Read on to understand why.

1. Use Multiple Keywords

Use multiple keywords to receive more specific results on your first search engine results page (SERP).

2. Use Google Suggest

When you enter the first letters of a keyword into the search bar, Google will suggest popular keywords other people have used in their searches. Follow these suggestions and see whether they can help you gain better results.

3. Use Operators to Properly Connect Keywords

This is a whole article of its own and fortunately it has already been written. Please have a look at my article on Google Operators for an overview. You can use each of these “commands” to improve your search results. Here I will mention only the three most helpful ones.

• Use Negative Keywords

If you’re seeing irrelevant results, identify a keyword that has nothing to do with what you’re looking for and make it your “negative keyword”. Simply add it to your search query with a minus symbol in front of it, for example if you were looking for the band Gossip, you would search for [gossip -celebrity] (without the brackets).

• Use Quotes

This is most commonly used to find an exact match. Since Google already uses the AND operator to connect single keywords per default, you won’t need quotes to find exact matches in most cases.

However, if you find that Google returns results with highlighted keywords that are spelled completely different from what you entered, try to put these single words into quotes and try again. This will prevent Google from “finding” more popular keywords that are only vaguely similar to your search term.

• Search Within a Specific Website

If you don’t want to search the entire internet, but instead a specific URL, this operator is of great help. Type [site:URL "your search query"], for example [site:http://wikipedia.org "brandenburg gate"].

This MakeUseOf Poll compiled by Aibek features some more Best Google Search Tips & Operators.

4. Use Advanced Search

If you can’t be bothered with manually typing operators, you can use Google’s Advanced Search. It allows you to exclude words, search for results in a specific language or specific files, and search within a site or domain. As you enter the details, the search query is automatically composed for you.

5. Use Google Chrome With Quick Scroll

One of the most annoying parts of following a search result is finding the relevant part within the page that opens. The Google Chrome extension Quick Scroll helps you tackle this issue as it provides a quick way to scroll to the parts in that website that are relevant to your query.

We have profiled Quick Scroll in the MakeUseOf Directory.

In Firefox you could simply use Quick Find, i.e. “find in text as you type” to quickly find the keywords again. However, if you’re into Google Chrome, you should check out these 8 Cool Google Chrome Extensions for Google Services, an article written by Tim earlier this month.

6. Ditch Google

Google is the most popular search engine and as such it has a lot of power. Google naturally has full control over its search algorithm. This in turn has a great impact on what results you will see, i.e. those you actually want to see or those that Google wants you to see.

There are two major variables that determine which results are recognized as relevant for your search: Link Authority (a.k.a. PageRank) and Keyword Relevance. Keyword relevance is straight forward. How well do the keywords you entered match the result, how often do they appear throughout the website, are they included in links pointing to that site, etc? Actually, this is all that you’re looking for when using a search engine.

Google, however, is biased towards link authority. The number of links pointing to a certain page determines its “authority” or PageRank. The more, the better. Unfortunately, this means that keywords only remotely related to a high PageRank site may cause this site to appear on your SERP, no matter how relevant it really is. The advantage is that you’ll see a lot of results from reputable high impact pages like Wikipedia or MakeUseOf. On the other hand you may miss out on many more relevant results from smaller pages. That’s not necessarily what you want.

So what can you do? You cannot change Google’s algorithm. However, if you keep seeing irrelevant search results, no matter how well you tune your search, there is one more thing you can do to get better results: don’t use Google’s search engine in the first place.

Yahoo’s search engine, for example, is less biased towards link authority and will thus provide you with much better search results. For a detailed analysis and examples, please see Troy Philis’ article on More Irrelevant Google Search Results.

What are your experiences with Google search and what has helped you to get the most relevant results?

Image credits: garytamin, bizior

(By) Tina has been writing for MakeUseOf since late 2007.

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What Are Resume Keywords, and Why Are They So-O-O Essential | EmploymentDigest.net

Dismay, Shock and Disappointment! You have spent weeks or even months looking for a job. Frustration is mounting, because you KNOW you are qualified for the positions you have applied for. So why hasn’t anyone called you for a job interview? Maybe it is your keywords – or the lack thereof – in your job resume.

Keywords in resumes are terms or jargon used in any specific industry to describe traits or technical experience they desire in their employees. Yes, your industry has them, too! Used effectively in your resume, particularly if you are submitting online, keywords can make a dramatic difference in the success of your job search.

When composing your resume, endeavor to use 8 to 10 keywords. Spend a little time brainstorming. Make a list of likely terms a prospective employer in your industry would be looking for, like position titles, computer software or hardware you have worked with, any special training or credentials.

How Can I Make Sure My Resume Gets Past Resume Robots and into a Human's Hand? [Lifehacker]

Automated Resume Screeners Score Resumes on Relevancy to Keywords and Experience

The infographic at right (click to expand) from previously mentioned resume webapp Resunate illustrates the basic process:

1. Your resume is run through a parser, which removes the styling from the resume and breaks the text down into recognized words or phrases.
2. The parser then sorts that content into different categories: Education, contact info, skills, and work experience.
3. The employer's desired skills or keywords are matched against the results from above.
4. Your resume is scored on relevancy—using semantic matching against the employer's search terms and your years of experience.

So, clearly, it's vital to include relevant text in your resume—but rather than just dump all the keywords from the job description in, for best results you'll need to employ a strategy. (Most savvy job applicants are likely using the same keywords in their resumes.)

How to "Hack" the Automated Resume Screeners

First, don't just focus on the keywords that are in the job description. Sophisticated resume screeners have gone beyond just keywords to look for semantic matches—related terms (e.g., not just CPA, but also accounting, audits, SEC, financial statements, etc.). Resunate co-founder Mona Abdel-Halim told me that this is how sites like Monster.com and others use technology to help employers find the best candidates (you can see Monster's concept-matching resume search engine here).

Prioritize the words in your resume. The Resume Help blog recommends auditing the job description to build a list of priority and secondary words to include:

Priority resume keywords: words used in the company's listed job title, used in the description headlines, used more than twice, called out as success criteria

Secondary resume keywords: mention of competitor companies or brand name experience, keyword phrases (phrases surrounding priority keywords), notable industry qualifications (training, associations)

Consult an insider for help finding relevant words. It never hurts to get friendly with an HR manager or employer in your field—you can go straight to the source and ask them if they could either look over your resume or suggest what kinds of experience/skills they look for in a candidate. Another possible contact to make is a person in a position similar to the one you'd like to have. LinkedIn, which is can be a great resource for job hunters, might be the best place to make these connections, especially in the industry groups forums.

Pepper all the job-related words across your resume. Since the screeners also factor in the depth of your skills (i.e., analyzing your length of experience), it's also important to place those important words, where appropriate, throughout your resume, in all job positions if possible. Order your bullets in descending order of relevancy to the job description, Abdel-Halim advised.

Create a relevant category expertise section. Make sure your resume matches the special categories for the job you're applying for. Resume Help gives these examples:

Companies are looking for specialists, not industry generalists, so identifying a category match is a critical first step. One way to do this is by creating a separate section in the top 1/3 of your online resume that captures the relevant category expertise.

Examples of generic category expertise: Management, Operations, Communications, Marketing

Examples of specific, relevant category expertise: Client Relationship Management, Revenue Growth, Risk Management, Negotiation, CRM Program Development

Don't use photos on your resume. Background images and photos might trip up the system, making your resume unreadable.

Use bulleted lists, not paragraphs, to describe your work. Resume screeners may have a harder time separating long paragraphs. (Bulleted lists are also easier on human eyes.)

Use social networks to enhance your resume. Some resume screeners add other features to check up on you. Reppify, for example, checks your social network posts and how you use sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. So make sure what you post on those networks vibes with what you say on your resume.

Finally, don't forget the basics: Make sure your resume includes all the job requirements. Your resume should address all the listed job requirements, such as years of experience and education.

Don't forget, of course, that the ultimate goal will be to get your resume in the hands of a real human. Luckily these tips should also help your resume's chance of getting past human screeners and hopefully land you an interview.

So while there are a lot of ways to get a job, if you're concerned that your resume may never actually end up in anyone's hands, these suggestions are a good starting point. Good luck!

Love,
Lifehacker

P.S. Got your own tips for strengthening a resume and making it more relevant? Help job hunters in the comments.

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Keywords are Crucial in Your Resume - Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog

More than 80 percent of resumes are searched for job-specific keywords. Therefore, if you apply for a job with a company that searches databases for keywords, and your resume doesn’t have the keywords the company seeks for the person who fills that job, you are pretty much dead in the water.

Summary/profile sections can be important for front-loading your resume with these all-important keywords. (Lack of front-loaded keywords decreases ability to match resumes to potential jobs quickly at critical first- and second-level scanning. Many job-seekers would likely benefit from a section of industry-specific keywords, labelled with a heading such as Areas of Expertise, Core Competencies, or Key Proficiencies. To display your keywords, you might want to use a reader-friendly table, as in this sample resume or in this sample resume.

via resumesandcoverletters.com

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Using Buzz Words to Make Your Resume Scan Better

Posted by Bill in Employment News, Resumes

Technology has started to play an important role in the hiring of employees. In order to create an effective resume, you must now get through a scanner before it is ever seen by human eyes. In order to make sure that your resume gets into the hands of real person, your resume must include pre-determined buzz words or keywords that the scanners search for. If your resume does not include any of these buzz words, then there is a good chance that your resume will be discarded before anyone even looks at it.

Fortunately, if you know how to use this technology to your advantage, you can quickly see your resume at the top of the list instead of gathering dust. These computers will scan thousands of resumes and focus entirely on a prioritized set of keywords. Resumes that have the most important or a large amount of keywords are much more likely to get passed on to the people who will actually be offering you an interview.

What Buzz Words Should I Use?

While it is impossible to know exactly which buzz words a company is focusing on, there are some easy ways to identify prospective keywords.

The first place to start looking for keywords is in the job posting itself. Employers purposely weed out job seekers who send their resumes to every available opening. They do this by adding keywords to job postings. Keywords will often be found in the section, “what we look for in an employee” as well as the company overview.

Another great place to find keywords is within the businesses industry. While this isn’t always easy, if there are specific industry standards or industry lexicon, then try to include them when applicable.
When listing your skills and experience, make sure that you are as specific as possible. Use basic descriptive buzz words that describe your skills and experience because they are more likely to be recognized by scanners. For example, if you are a computer programmer, it is important to list every software proficiency and programming language that you have experience with. By listing every proficiency, you are much more likely to hit related buzz words.

A final place to use buzzwords is when describing past employers and positions. When you highlight your previous positions and departments, try to use common terms, even if your previous company created a different title for your position.

While you must make sure that you meet all of the required buzz words, it is equally important to ensure that your resume is still easy to read for the people that will eventually see it. It is a persons decision to invite you for an interview, not a scanners. Only use buzz words where they are appropriate and do not cram your resume full of them, if they do not make sense.

Using buzz words has become a critical technique that many job seekers still have not been able master. By being able to effective utilize words in a naturally sounding way, you will not only get past the scanners, but also get good reviews from human readers.

 Jason Kay recommends using effective resume buzz words, but don’t overdo it.

via employmentdigest.net

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Know How and Why Using Keywords to Search For Jobs Online is so Important

Searching for a job online can be a fairly simple process. However, getting hired for one of these jobs is significantly more difficult. Getting hired for a job that is posted online is so difficult because the competition for these jobs is great. Companies may receive hundreds or even thousands of applications from highly qualified candidates. You may be one of these highly qualified candidates but if your resume does not stand out you will likely be overlooked. Doing everything to stand out when you are searching for a job online is very important. However, it is even more important to refine your job search instead of just entering your location and a few vague keywords. This article will provide information on how you can refine your online job search to ensure you only receive the types of results you are really seeking.

The first step you can take to refine your job is to carefully consider the keywords you are using in your job search. Just about all job search websites allow you to enter keywords to narrow down your search results. However, if these keywords are not selected carefully you will not receive the types of results you are seeking. For example if you are an obstetric nurse and are looking for a new job you would not just enter nurse as a keyword. This does not refine your search nearly enough because it will generate result for all types of nursing jobs. However, if you add the word obstetric to your keywords as well as other words and phrases associated with obstetrics your results will be much more suitable.

You can also highly refine your online job search by location. The easiest way to do this is to enter the zip code of the location in which you would like to work. Also, if there is the option to limit the radius around this area, you can refine your search even further. By keeping the radius relatively small you will only receive search results in a small area surrounding your target area. However, if you perform the online job search with a much larger radius you will receive job results from areas further away from your target area. You will have to decide which type of radius is ideal for you. If you are looking to relocate to a particular area a larger radius may be acceptable because you can purchase a home close to your job location. However, if you are looking for a job in your current location you will likely want to keep your radius relatively small unless you are willing to relocate or endure a long commute.

Online job searches can also be refined by salary ranges. Some online job search engines allow users to enter a minimum salary, a maximum salary or both. This type of feature appeals to job seekers who are only willing to accept a job with a certain minimum salary or a job in a certain salary range. This may include job seekers who are currently employed and do not want to make a lateral career move. It may also include job seekers who are interested in relocating and have estimated they will need a minimum salary in order to maintain their standard of living in the new city. There are salary calculators available online which will assist users in determining these values. These calculators typically require the user to enter their current salary and location and their desired location. Based on this information the calculators determine the salary the employee will need to maintain the same standard of living.

Know How and Why Using Keywords to Search For Jobs Online is so Important

Five Ways to Rehab Your Resume - Careers Articles

Just in case you haven't heard it enough: It's tough to get a job these days. So tough, in fact, that it's not unlikely for a job seeker to spend six months or longer looking for a job before actually getting one. Although it's common for today's job search to take a while, there are ways to increase your chances of getting noticed quickly. So, if you're starting to get frustrated with just how long it's taking to find a job, you may want revamp your job search, starting with that all-important document: your resume.

Although most job seekers feel that they've done all they can with their resume -- included great "action" words, checked spelling and grammar, ensured consistent formatting -- there is almost always room for improvement. Chances are, your resume can benefit from one of the following points:

1. Make sure your objective has an outward focus

If you choose to include an objective on your resume, make sure it addresses the employer's needs. "Don't emphasize what you're looking for in a job, but rather what skills and talents you offer an employer," says Rick Saia, a certified professional resume writer for Pongo Resume.

For example, an objective statement like: "To find a position in public relations that will allow me to further my communications career and develop my skill set," is all about what you want out of your job search. In order to increase your chances of engaging a hiring manager, change your objective to instead reflect what you have to offer, i.e., "To benefit a company through my extensive network of press contacts, 10 years of copywriting experience, and demonstrated ability to successfully pitch stories to the media."

2. List accomplishments, not duties

"Does the resume emphasize what you accomplished in your current or previous job? That's what should stand out; not merely what duties you performed, but what differences you made in your role for your employer," says Saia. "For example, 'served as project manager for replacement of 1,000 desktop computers' is a duty. Saying 'managed replacement of 1,000 desktop computers in half the allotted time' tells the employer you can take on a big job and meet a critical deadline. That's an accomplishment, and it made a difference."

Most duties can be turned into accomplishments through quantifying them or stating how you met or surpassed the goal of the assignment.

3. Don't list out-of-date or irrelevant skills

At your entry-level job, you may have spent a lot of time on administrative work, like filing documents into a comprehensive system of folders and filing cabinets. But that was 10 years ago. Today, companies rarely even keep physical records, so most likely the "administrative skills" you listed on your resume won't be applicable at your next job. If you haven't done something in 10 years, chances are things have changed, and it's best to leave the skill off your resume.

Although entry-level job seekers sometimes include a section of "interests" on their resume, the space-filler has no place on the resume of older workers. Even if you spend every second you're not working thinking about baseball and you've scored the most homeruns in your recreational league, a hiring manager has no real use for -- or interest in -- this information. Anything you list on your resume should have a professional tie-in.

4. Make sure your resume is search engine optimized

Since much of the initial job application process is done online, recruiters often use software programs to scan submitted resumes for important words and job functions. If your resume doesn't include these keywords, there's little chance that your application will ever reach the desk of a hiring manager.

"Right this minute, recruiters and employers are typing keywords in their search engines to find job candidates to fill openings that match your job objective," says Susan Ireland, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume." "So do some research to find 10 or so keywords from job postings and job descriptions that best match your job objective. Then weave those keywords into your resume statements and/or make lists of keywords in special sections on your resume, under headings such as Skills, Relevant Skills, Computer Skills, Technical Skills, or some other heading that makes sense for your occupation."

For example, if your goal is to get a job as an advertising coordinator, you will probably come across the same keywords (i.e. accounts, AdWords, media planning, sales, marketing, tracking, supporting) over and over again in job postings for that kind of position. Figure out how to incorporate these keywords into your resume for the best chance of being found by a recruiter.

5. Bold your best features

According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Labor, there are 5.4 applicants for every job opening. With stats like that, you can bet potential employers are up to their eyeballs in applications. Make it easy for hiring managers to skim your resume for important qualifications by bolding any skills, honors and experiences that support your candidacy.

The strong text should be saved only for your most important qualifications, though, so limit bold items to no more than five. Also, make sure to keep a "plain-text" resume on hand, in case a job listing calls for an unformatted resume.

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Are You Keyword Optimizing Your Resume? » Life of an Internet Entrepreneur « Good to Know

Usually when I discuss optimizing keywords I am referring to targeting search engines like Google, but what about the “niche” search engines that are mushrooming up all over? Those search engines are often used not just by consumers, but also by job recruiters (among others).

I’ll take for example a site like Monster.com or Craigslist, both sites with tons of resumes posted on there. How do you get your resume seen by as many recruiters as possible?

The answer is of course, to include information that they are looking for. Just like there are ways of getting data on popular search words on Google, we can look at the most popular keyword searches by recruiters on job sites, and learn from that. Marc Cenedella, of TheLadders.com, a recruiting site that specializes in jobs paying $100,000 or more, wondered the same thing and developed a list of the 100 most-searched for terms by recruiters on the site.

The list is useful for three reasons:

First, it tells us what the “preferable” term for what we do is. Most jobs or actions in the business world have more than one term, and sometimes that causes confusion over who has what experience. For example, a digital planner and a media planner could be doing the exact same work, but there will likely be one searched for more often. If you find out which term is better searched, you can make those changes on your bio or resume and ensure that you are located more easily.

Second, the list tells us what positions are in demand in the work force currently. We can use this information to navigate our career in a direction that is lacking manpower and therefore get more competitive offers.

Third, if and when more data is offered from sites like TheLadders.com, we can use this information to trend certain keywords and see if they are becoming more or less popular, or if there are more or less openings than there were at a previous point in time.

The top 10 keywords recruiters search for on job sites:

1 Sales
2 controller
3 cpa
4 SAP
5 project manager
6 cfo
7 tax
8 Director
9 recruiter
10 Human resources

One notable thing I noticed from the top ten is that three out of them were related to finance (cpa, cfo, tax), another three for running things (controller, project manager, director) and two for getting more manpower to find the previous two (recruiter, human resources).

With increasing legislation surrounding taxes and finances of companies as well as more partnerships developing between companies (merger mania), it makes sense that everyone is scrambling to make sure his finance/tax staff is large enough to handle it.

And, with more products/services coming out to market than ever before, these companies need a lot of middle managers to make sure the final product is useful and delivered on time.

Another reason for the increased need for HR could be the new generation of workers’ personalities. A recent poll by Entrepreneur Magazine showed the highest percentage (71%) ever of young people interested in running their own businesses and entrepreneurship, and this undoubtedly has made the recruiting field work harder to find the “best and the brightest” to work for them.

As job hopping becomes more and more frequent (Americans outpace every other nation in this statistic, with one source saying that the average American will go through 10 jobs between the ages of 18 and 38), making smooth transitions from job to job has never been more important. Hopefully you can use this information to better position yourself in the job market the next time you switch.

via pinnycohen.com

Great tips from Pinny Cohen. Make sure that your resume shows up – and not just to search engines. Recruiters use applicant tracking systems (ATS’s) to manager what can be a huuuuuge inflow of junk. There are lots of people who use programs that spider the internet for jobs that match certain keywords, and then apply – it’s recruitment SPAM, and the better the recruiter is at doing their jobs (getting the word out about the openings their trying to fill), the more junk they get. So we use the ATS to filter, and only show us jobs that match certain skills. That’s where keywords come into play – and may well be why you feel like your resume is going into a black hole. It probably is. One thing I’d add: don’t try and “stuff” keywords into your resume by writing in tons of extra buzz-words in white-font in between subjects, jobs, etc. While it’s true that the recruiter’s database will see those while the recruiter’s naked eye won’t, most of us are onto the trick – if we can’t figure out why a resume has popped up on our screen, we’ll hit “select all” and change the font color for the entire document to black.

via recruiter.wordpress.com

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A Visual Way To Highlight Job Search Keywords - jesseluna's posterous

This video shows you how to better visualize the key aspects of  job by focusing on keywords.

 

When is this technique useful?

There are two main circumstances when this tip is useful:

1) Let's say you've identified ten good job opportunities and you have the full job descriptions. But only want to focus on one or two of the jobs.  This method of highlighting keywords, using Wordle.net as a visualization tool, will help you see the keywords better.  Once the key words are more apparent, you can use them to select the top two jobs and create your cover letters and shape your resume to focus on what's important.

Remember, the hiring manager created the job description so it is likely she will be looking for those keywords in cover letters to help her filter her stack of applications.

2) Yay! You received an interview and now you need to prepare for the interview.  By using this technique, you can zoom in on the most important job aspects and skills.  I used this technique before an interview and it highlighted a key technical skill.  I reviewed the technical skill before the interview (I wish I had prepared more) and was asked about it and was tested on it.

 

I hope the video is useful. If you like this video you can visit me at www.jesseluna.com and check out my other tech and social media videos.

 

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Get the tech job you want: From resume to interview, Boss-style

Have you ever scrolled endlessly through job boards feeling like a needle in a haystack? You're not alone, dude. The tech industry is booming, and with that comes a massive competition for skilled workers. But fear not, fellow tech bro! This guide will equip you with the knowledge to not only understand the current IT job market landscape but also land your dream gig.

Is the IT Job Market on Fire or Fizzling Out?

Let's address the elephant in the room: are IT jobs drying up? According to your recruiter pal, the answer is a resounding no. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a much faster than average growth rate for computer and information technology occupations from 2022 to 2032 [1]. That translates to tons of new job opportunities popping up across various tech specialties.

Tightening Up or Loosen Up?

So, if there's a job explosion, why the fierce competition? Here's the deal: the demand for skilled IT peeps is skyrocketing, while the pool of qualified candidates might not be growing at the same pace. This creates a tightening job market, meaning employers have more options and can be choosier.

How Do Recruiters Find Their Tech Candidates?

Now that you know the lay of the land, let's crack the code on getting noticed by recruiters. Here are three key tools in your arsenal:

1. Keyword Magic: Weaving Your Skills into Your Resume Narrative

Imagine your resume as a billboard advertising your awesome tech skills. But instead of flashy neon lights, you need the right keywords to grab a recruiter's attention.

Here's the trick: don't keyword vomit. Spamming a list of buzzwords at the bottom of your resume is a major turn-off. Instead, integrate relevant keywords naturally throughout your work experience descriptions.

For example, if you're a Java developer, showcase your expertise by mentioning specific Java frameworks you've used on past projects. This demonstrates your proficiency to potential employers while seamlessly incorporating those hot keywords.

2. LinkedIn: Your Online Tech Persona

Think of LinkedIn as your professional online playground. It's where recruiters spend a significant chunk of their time scouting for talent. So, make your profile shine! Here's how:

Update your profile regularly: Keep your experience, skills, and certifications current.

Optimize your profile with keywords: Similar to your resume, strategically incorporate relevant keywords to boost your discoverability in recruiter searches.

Showcase your expertise: Share articles, participate in industry discussions, and even publish your own content to establish yourself as a thought leader.

By actively managing your LinkedIn profile, you become a magnet for recruiters seeking top tech talent.

3. Job Boards: Casting Your Net Strategically

Job boards like Dice and Indeed are goldmines for technical positions, while Monster caters more towards non-technical roles. Here's a quick breakdown:

Dice and Indeed: These platforms are havens for IT professionals. Search for jobs by location, skillset, and company to find the perfect match.

Monster: While not exclusively tech-focused, Monster offers a wider selection of jobs across various industries.

Remember, it's not just about applying to every single job posting. Tailor your applications to each specific role, highlighting relevant skills and experiences mentioned in the job description.

Bonus Tip: Network Like a Champ

Building relationships within the tech community is a powerful way to get your foot in the door. Attend industry events, connect with other professionals on LinkedIn, and don't be afraid to reach out to people in your network for informational interviews. By making connections, you open yourself up to hidden job opportunities and valuable career advice.

Remember, dude, the tech job market is full of potential. By understanding the current trends, mastering the art of keyword integration, and utilizing the right online platforms, you'll be well on your way to landing your dream IT job. So, polish your resume, update your LinkedIn profile, and get ready to conquer the tech world!

How to Create a Searchable Resume Profile | Brand-Yourself.com Blog

From Brand-Yourself.com

Today we have a special guest post from Ozzie Saunds.  Ozzie is an experienced Career Specialist who has worked with North America’s largest job board and the world’s second largest international recruitment firm. Currently the founder/owner of a successful recruitment
organization, he is committed to continuing his efforts of maximizing the potential of every career professional he works with by consulting them through the job search process. You can visit his blog at WriteMyResumeNow.com

—

A typical approach to a job search includes creating resume profiles on popular job boards, such as Careerbuilder, Monster or Yahoo Jobs, and then targeting professional social media websites like LinkedIn, Google Profiles and Brazen Careerist. Perhaps the very ambitious job seeker takes it a step further by creating a blog which showcases all of their qualifications.

While searching for employment, job seekers can improve their chances of being hired by being more visible on the internet. But being visible does not always mean being registered on every job portal imaginable; being visible means having searchable resume profiles that get noticed.

Utilize SEO to Create Resume Profiles

Chris Perry, personal branding expert and the founder of one of the largest career blogs, Career Rocketeer, suggests that the structure of the internet does not always allow the best job candidates to be visible. In order for a resume profile to be found on the internet, it must be searchable. In order for it to be searchable, resume profiles must include keywords that correspond with search terms that hiring managers and recruiters use to locate top talented job prospects. Furthermore, not only do resume profiles need to include important keywords, but the placement of these keywords is also important to search engines.

The world of employment is competitive and involves many job candidates, all with similar skills and qualifications, just like how the world of business includes many organizations all with similar products and services. The manner in which organizations fight for prime positioning, aiming for the first page on Google, is the same manner in which a job seeker must fight for prime positioning on job boards and professional social media sites such as LinkedIn. The reality is that the best company does not always climb to the top of the search results of an engine, just like how the best job candidate with the most qualified skills sometimes gets placed after the person with little experience. So just how does a candidate implement a SEO approach to creating their resume profile?

Resume Keyword Approach

1.      Repetition: Read a good amount of job postings that are related to the industry that is of interest. Keep a close eye on the required qualifications. Include them in the personal profile/summary section. Repeat these words in the “core competencies” or “area of expertise” section. Repeat them again, varying the terminology, within the body of your resume. For example, say a job seeker uses sales in the personal profile section and negotiation in the core competencies section – it would be effective to repeat sales and negotiation in the body of the resume and add business development, account management, bargaining and consulting too. But also keep in mind if the job posting says sales experience required instead of business development experience required, place greater emphasis on repeating sales throughout the resume profile.

2.      Placement: Use the keywords early on in the personal profile/summary section of your resume profile. Keep in mind that the search engines will value the keyword terms you used first at the beginning of your resume profile over ones you used later. So if a job posting lists experience in engineering design, function analysis, and solution implementation as a minimum requirement and has testing and subcontractor management as additional benefits, put the three minimum requirements in the personal profile section and follow it up with a core competencies section that includes the two additional benefits.

3.  Showcase: Attach powerful action words to the qualification keywords to illustrate how skills were effectively used to accomplish organizational goals. For example, using the job posting qualifications listed in the placement resume keyword approach, a job seeker could say, “Achieved a 100% output growth rate within a 6 month time period by implementing (qualification keyword) an automated performance review solution (qualification keyword) leading to the escalation (action word) of department productivity.

Strong Resume Profiles are Keyword-Rich

In order to develop an exceptional resume profile a candidate must not only have great qualifications, but must also have a strong keyword strategy in place to ensure that all their outstanding qualifications become visible. If a job seeker incorporates SEO techniques into their resume profile development process, they will be one step closer to finding a job. With repetition, placement, and a showcase keyword SEO strategy in place, a resume profile not only becomes exceptional but searchable.

via blog.brand-yourself.com

Posted via web from AndyWergedal

The Goldilocks Resume: Finding the Perfect Balance for ATS Success

In today's competitive job market, crafting the perfect resume is more crucial than ever. As a career coach, I often see job seekers struggling to find the right balance in their resumes. Too long, and you risk overwhelming both human readers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Too short, and you might not showcase enough of your qualifications. Let's dive into how to create a resume that's "just right" for both ATS and human eyes.

The Perils of Overstuffing

Many job seekers fall into the trap of thinking more is better. They create lengthy resumes packed with every detail of their professional lives. While this approach might seem thorough, it often backfires:

1. ATS overload: These systems are designed to scan for specific keywords and qualifications. Overly dense documents can confuse the ATS, leading to your resume being filtered out before a human ever sees it.
2. Human fatigue: Even if your resume makes it past the ATS, a hiring manager faced with pages of text is likely to lose interest quickly.

The Danger of Being Too Sparse

On the other hand, a resume that's too brief can be equally problematic:

1. Lack of keywords: ATS need enough information to determine if you're a good fit. A sparse resume might not include the necessary keywords to pass the initial screening.
2. Missed opportunities: You risk not showcasing important skills or achievements that could set you apart from other candidates.

Finding the Goldilocks Zone

The ideal resume strikes a perfect balance. Here's how to achieve it:

1. Aim for the right length: Generally, stick to one page for less experienced candidates and two pages for those with extensive experience.
2. Use bullet points: This format improves readability for both ATS and humans.
3. Focus on relevance: Tailor your resume for each application, emphasizing skills and experiences that align with the specific job description.
4. Include keywords wisely: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting naturally throughout your resume.
5. Highlight achievements: Use concise, impactful statements to showcase your accomplishments rather than just listing job duties.
6. Keep it clean: Use a clear, professional font and maintain consistent formatting throughout.

By following these guidelines, you create a resume that satisfies the ATS requirements while also appealing to human readers. This balanced approach significantly increases your chances of landing that coveted interview.

Remember, your resume is often your first impression on a potential employer. Make it count by finding that sweet spot between too much and too little information. With a well-crafted, "just right" resume, you'll be well on your way to career success.

Supercharge Your Resume: Mastering Project Management Keywords

In today's competitive job market, a well-crafted resume that showcases your project management prowess is your ticket to success. But how do you make sure your resume stands out? The secret lies in strategically using industry-specific keywords. Let's dive into the art of seamlessly integrating top project management keywords into your resume.

1. Embrace Agile Methodology

Agile is more than a buzzword—it's a project management philosophy that's revolutionized the industry. Here's how to highlight your Agile expertise:

• Professional Summary: "Seasoned Project Manager with 5+ years of Agile experience, driving cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact results."
• Experience: "Spearheaded Agile sprints, facilitating daily stand-ups and retrospectives to boost team productivity by 30%."
• Skills: "Agile Methodology | Scrum | Kanban | Sprint Planning"

2. Spotlight Risk Management

Showcasing your ability to navigate uncertainties can set you apart. Try these approaches:

• Summary: "Strategic Project Manager with a keen eye for risk management, consistently mitigating potential roadblocks."
• Experience: "Developed comprehensive risk management plans, reducing project delays by 25% through proactive issue resolution."
• Skills: "Risk Assessment | Mitigation Strategies | Contingency Planning"

3. Champion Stakeholder Communication

Effective communication is the backbone of successful projects. Highlight this skill:

• Summary: "Project Manager with a track record of fostering stakeholder engagement and alignment."
• Experience: "Orchestrated bi-weekly stakeholder meetings, improving project transparency and reducing change requests by 40%."
• Skills: "Stakeholder Management | Client Relations | Executive Reporting"

4. Optimize Resource Allocation

Demonstrate your ability to make the most of available resources:

• Summary: "Adept at optimizing resource allocation to maximize project efficiency and ROI."
• Experience: "Implemented a resource management system that increased team utilization by 20% and reduced overtime costs by 15%."
• Skills: "Resource Planning | Budget Management | Capacity Planning"

5. Master Scope Management

Show how you keep projects focused and on track:

• Summary: "Expert in scope management, ensuring projects deliver maximum value within defined parameters."
• Experience: "Implemented robust change control processes, reducing scope creep by 35% and improving on-time deliveries."
• Skills: "Scope Definition | Change Control | Project Planning"

Putting It All Together

Remember, the key to a stellar project management resume is authenticity. Use these keywords to tell your unique professional story. Here's a sample summary that ties it all together:

"Results-driven Project Manager with 5+ years of experience in Agile environments. Proven track record in risk management and stakeholder communication. Expert in resource allocation and scope management, consistently delivering projects on time and under budget. Reduced project costs by 20% and improved team productivity by 30% through strategic planning and execution."

By weaving these powerful keywords throughout your resume, you'll not only catch the eye of recruiters but also showcase the depth of your project management expertise. Remember, your resume is your personal marketing tool—make every word count!

Use Job Description Words as Keywords in your Resume

via Reddit...

http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2l2vwd/lpt_when_applying_for_jobs_especially_to_large/

HR is the first line of defense for hiring at most large organizations, but HR people aren't all that great at judging qualifications for specific jobs (e.g. A person with a Master's in HR doesn't know what makes for a good nuclear safety inspector). This leads them to filter out resumes using keywords and jargon as an indicator of abilities. Paid resume development tools have figured this out. They essentially populate your resume with the keywords that they've found effective at getting interviews, but you can do this yourself if you know your industry well and research the job. As a last ditch effort, you can even fill your resume with white-font keywords that aren't visible to people but will be picked up by filtering software.

5 Ways to Optimize Your Resume For Database Search | EmploymentDigest.net

1.) The first thing you should not overlook when submitting your resume is to include a keyword summary. This lets you add keywords that may be used by the searcher even if those same words are not found specifically in your resume. Be sure to separate each keyword with a comma.

2.) Just providing a keyword summary is not enough. Having a keyword loaded “Qualification Summary” at the beginning of your resume creates a visually stunning document in addition to making your resume database search friendly.

3.) Use your industry’s most preferable search terms. Get keyword hints from the job itself. You will find that each employer may use certain keywords to explain the position that they are hiring for in the job description. Use those words to your advantage when compiling keywords for your resume.

4.) Fill your resume with top keyword titles. These titles should also expose valuable keywords to search engines.

5.) Lastly, spell out exactly what you are looking for from your future employer. If you plan on working in Colorado, type the entire word: Colorado. Don’t use abbreviations in your resume.

If you aren’t getting a call to interview with a recruiter or hiring manager, use these basic tips to optimize your resume for database searches.

By  Cass Fisher. Remember to specifically gear your resume towards the features of your next position.

via employmentdigest.net

Posted via web from AndyWergedal

How to Mine Twitter for Information

May 11th, 2009 (7:00am) Dawn Foster via WebWorkerDaily

Last week, I admitted that I am an information junkie, and I wanted to follow up this week with a few tips for feeding your information habit by mining Twitter for information. Twitter tools are popping up like weeds lately, so rather than try to be comprehensive, I'm just going to highlight a few of my favorite tools for getting information out of Twitter.

Twitter Search

Twitter's built-in search engine is probably my favorite way to find information in Twitter. It is great for quick searches to find specific pieces of information, watching trending topics, and persistent vanity searches for your name or company. While I do use the search engine to type in queries, the real power is in using RSS feeds for searches and running them through Yahoo Pipes for additional filtering. In many cases, I use Yahoo Pipes to loop through a series of keywords from a CSV file to search Twitter for each of those keywords and monitor the results as an RSS feed in my reader. I recently did a 2 minute video explaining exactly how to search twitter using Yahoo Pipes and a CSV file of keywords, so I won't cover it in any more detail here.

Twitter Stream Graphs

I'm a big fan of getting data via RSS, but sometimes you just need a picture. Twitter Stream Graphs are a great way to show your boss how much buzz you generated on Twitter with a particular tweet or a keyword. In this example, I searched for legionoftech, an organization here in Portland than organizes our local BarCampPortland event, and you can see that we did a call for volunteers over Twitter on April 21 and had some conversation leading up to the event on May 1 and 2.

TweetVolume

TweetVolume is a great tool for comparing the number of mentions across several keywords. With the recent Mother's Day holiday, I'm happy to report that mothers are more important than vacations, the beach and Star Trek. However, sadly, bacon seems to be a more popular topic on Twitter than mothers (shame on you!)

What are your favorite tools for mining Twitter for information?

Related Posts

• GigaOM: Google May Buy Twitter. Or Not. But Why is Twitter So Hot?
• GigaOM: Google, Inching Closer to Real Time
• WebWorkerDaily: Tracking Twitter by Topic: What's the Best Solution?

4 Steps to Find Your Ideal Job on Twitter

from Brazen Careerist by Pete Kistler

Believe it or not, twitter is more than just a place to tell the world what you had for lunch. With over 6 million current users, it's a perfect place to take your job hunt. By adding to the conversation, twitter can help you:

1. Gain credibility in your field
2. Build meaningful professional networks quickly and effectively
3. Introduce new opportunities and land a job

However just like LinkedIn, simply joining twitter will get you nowhere. You need to develop a well-defined strategy catered specifically to your needs. Here are four easy steps that will get you well on your way and the tools that will help you get there.

1) Create a focused, targeted profile

The first step is creating your presence on twitter. Everything about twitter is short and concise. Your profile needs to say everything important about you in the time it takes to read half a sentence.

Dan utilizes the background to include more info about him.

#1) Claim your twitter handle. Your goal is to get noticed so use your real name. If your name is taken, use some variation with a professional spin. (example: PR_PeggySue)

#2) Upload a professional head shot. Twitter is about meeting new people who share your passions and interests. Nobody wants to share with a default graphic.  (Tip: use the same profile picture across all your social networks).

#3) Write a professional, targeted bio. You only have 160 characters, so make them count. Strip away all the fluff and pinpoint your most important qualities. Why are you on twitter and what are you passionate or knowledgeable about? Include keywords in your profile to help others find and connect with you. (Tip: Don't forget to link to your personal website or Linkedin profile)

#4) Create your custom background. If you keep your background as default, you are wasting prime real estate. Use TwitterImage to promote your other sites and profiles. The whole point is connecting, so direct your audience to other places where they can actually connect. (example: Dan Schawbel's profile here http://twitter.com/danschawbel).

2) Build your Network

Once your profile is complete, it's time to start reaching out for followers.

#1) Follow major players in your industry. Use  Twellow to find them. This is a great opportunity to interact with them and put yourself on their radar. They are also phenomenal resources to keep up with industry trends. After responding directly to their tweets a few times, they are likely to follow or even respond to you back, exposing you to their highly valuable audiences.

#2) Search for people who are talking about your industry. Type relevant keywords into the search function and follow people who are talking about them. This is a quick, effective way to build a relevant network. Use Tweepz to search people’s bio for relevant job titles, as well.

3) Add value to your community

This is the most important point to take away. Twitter is a completely open, ongoing conversation. While following people will connect you to valuable, new information, your followers expect the same from you. Before you benefit from your network, you need to establish yourself as a thoughtful, contributing member.

Schawbel consistently puts out interesting, relevant info for followers

#1) Post helpful, interesting tweets.Most people don't care what you had for lunch. They are interested in tweets that yield a positive impact on their day. Try posting daily quotes or tips. For example, at @brandyourself, I post daily job search tips since many of my followers are looking for a job.

#2) Link to interesting, relevant information. The best way to establish yourself as a valuable member or even expert of your community is to share new, interesting information. Read industry blogs and newsletters and post your favorite articles. Use TwitterFeed and TweetLater to save you time and post them throughout the day.

#3) Answer relevant questions. There is no better way to prove your worth. Take a little time each day to search for questions pertaining to your area of expertise. Type in a specific keyword followed by a question mark to filter results. For example, I type "resume tips" to find people looking for help with their resume. This is an excellent way to attract more followers, and establish yourself as an authority in your line of work.

#4) Retweet other people who add value to you. If someone in your network posted something you found helpful, acknowledge it by retweeting it to your followers. This is important for building relationships and it also exposes you to their audience.

#5) Engage your community. Above all else, twitter is a conversation. So ask questions, reply to others using the @ function, and ask for feed back. Just make sure you are part of the conversation.

4) Find a job

Once you build a strong network, you will be surprised at the opportunities 140 characters can bring.

Job Boards on twitter are becoming increasingly effective

#1) Tweet occasionally about your job search. Be clear exactly what you are looking for and what kind of skills you bring with you. If you have proven yourself as a thoughtful, intelligent individual, your followers will be happy to extend a helping hand. A few retweets brings your profile a long way.

#2) Keep growing your network. Once you build a strong network of followers who like what you have to say, find more. Use tools like twubble to find out who your followers are following. This is a quick way to multiply relevant followers

#3) Search. Use twitter search to look for job openings that were posted. Type in relevant keywords like your job title or desired position. Set up an RSS feed for these keywords using TweetBeep.

#4) Follow accounts that post job listings in your industry. There is no quicker platform to browse or post job listings. More and more companies are posting listings online, looking for socially savvy individuals. Choose aggregators that are geographically/industry specific.

In reality, these are the same tactics used in traditional job hunting, just magnified. Build quality relationships with people in your industry who know and understand your qualifications.

http://blog.brand-yourself.com/2009/4-steps-to-find-your-ideal-job-on-twitter/