In today's competitive marketplace, résumé scanning software are becoming utilized more and more as companies are seeking ways to identify top industry performers in the midst of hundreds of résumés received for a job posting. How can you make sure that your résumé is found? Key words in a résumé are similar to search optimization strategies for websites. It is very important to include key words in your résumé to help increase the odds of having it reviewed.
key words fall into several categories: hard skills, soft skills, educational background, geographic location, and many more. Hard skills are tangible duties/achievements such as P & L management, Revenue Growth, Cost Containment, and so on. Soft skills include presentation skills and team leadership. Search parameters for educational background may include not only the type of degree and major, but also the name of the university or college. Geographical location may be included in a search to identify candidates located in a certain city, state, or region.
As you write your résumé, be sure to write toward the future for the type of position for which you are seeking. Emphasize areas that directly link your skills to that type of position and de-emphasize the duties or achievements that are not related. As you read job postings for positions for which you are interested, note the key words (noun and noun phrases) they use throughout the listing. Are those key words on your résumé? One strategy you can use to customize your résumé for a particular position is to interweave key words in a job posting that are applicable to your background and experience. Why is that important? If the hiring manager wrote that job posting, chances are greater that those key words will be in the search parameters that he/she utilizes.
Always make sure that you review the job posting and research the company prior to applying. You will find a wealth of information, including key words, which will help you stand apart from the competition if you take the time to modify your résumé and cover letter for each position you apply.
Think about what matters to an employer. Very few, if any, will offer you a job based on your résumé alone. Your résumé is one small piece of the career marketing strategy that will help you secure the interview. If you have too much information, the employer is not going to take the time to read it. If you have too little, they are not going to play a guessing game to figure out if you will fit with their organization. In today's marketplace, YOU have to show them why you are the BEST fit.
Do you need to "spring clean" your résumé? I would suggest that you really consider doing it for each position for which you apply. Demonstrate your abilities/accomplishments for that PARTICULAR position and don't data dump. Remember, the first time someone reads your résumé, it is estimated that they spend 10–45 seconds looking at it. Make sure that this short time spent on your résumé highlights what you need for that position.
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Note: This article was sent to us by: Brandon J. Evandale at 07232010
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