Ensure that you have the Right Keywords When Applying for Jobs Online
Make the most of any opportunity by using these tips and tricks to be sure your resume goes to the top of the list.
Applying for a job online can be a lot like a guessing game.
For all the effort you put into marketing your experience and qualifications, the deciding factor that gets your resume into the hands of an actual person often comes down to using the right keywords.
Most companies rely on computer software programs to review thousands of resumes and select the ones with particular keywords — not necessarily impressive accomplishments — so they can then be reviewed by a recruiter and, eventually, a hiring manager.
Unfortunately for job seekers, these all-powerful keywords aren't revealed in the job description — at least not overtly.
The best way to crack the code of these applicant tracking systems (ATS) is to put yourself in the mind of the recruiter and take your best guess at what phrases they would use to search for the best applicants for the position.
When it comes to the automated systems, the problem you have is that the only way a recruiter is going to actually find you is if you have keywords in your resume that they have in their brain at the time. The person who shoots to the top is the person who has more than one keyword. Once the keywords are identified,they need to be used early and often within the resume, possibly in multiple forms.
For example, if an aspiring accountant is applying for a job that cites “deep knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley” in the job description, the phrases “Sarbanes-Oxley” and its common acronym “SOX” should each be referenced in that resume several times so it will be noticed and given priority by the ATS.
Of course, you don't want to repeat the same sentence either, change the context each time.
Experts have taken to calling this the “recruiting black hole” because so many resumes — good resumes — fall in, seemingly never to be seen again. But keeping in mind these tips on getting your resume through applicant tracking systems and the rules about e-mailing your resume to a recruiter will help you optimize your chances for getting noticed and moving on to the next step, snaring an interview.
