5 Ways to Optimize Your Resume For Database Search
Sep 13th, 2010 | By Bill | Category: Employment News, ResumesIf you can’t network your way into a hiring manager’s office to interview for the position you know is the perfect fit for you, try these 5 ways to optimize your resume’s online exposure in database search engines. Resume database search engines are created to pick keywords out of your resume and rank accordingly. Be prepared with a keyword rich resume that is reader friendly in addition to reaching the top searches in Monster and CareerBuilder database searches.
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. See Unemployment Effect 2010 for more ways to find out what hiring managers are really looking for.
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I could not agree more. I use the trick of grabbing the keywords from the job ads and adding them to my resume. People are time poor and skim read, finding their own words and terms is a sure fire success.
Great tips! With most resumes being submitted online and with a good percentage of companies now searching resume databases, keyword usage is important in getting your resume found. Strong keywords are also good for paper resumes as a lot of hiring manager skim resumes due to time limits and hundreds of applicants.
Thanks!
I do not condone the misuse of keywords- keywords should be used in a way that flows on the page for the reader.
Sms pirate- ATS software has been my best friend when finding a good candidate. These tips are meant to assist new resume writers as well as people who want to ‘freshen’ their resume up.
Have a great day!
all the keywords in the world wont help if your resume is in the trash.
Most ATS software manufacturers figured out the “loaded keyword” section a long time ago. Today, that will not get you past 80% of the software, and it tends to really tick off most hiring managers and/or recruiters who detect the ruse that it is to just get past the software. Likewise, random inferred “keywords” are useless. Keywords need to match frequency and weights programmed with the job description. The “extras” you put in don’t get seen until 10 minutes before your interview, and that only happens if you’ve passed the ATS screen. 8 times out of 10 they need to be listed under employment history where years of experience can be derived from dates of employment. 6 out of 10 times they’ll be able to read specific skills and keywords if they’re in a summary instead of the employment section. Employers install ATS software to save money and time, and to streamline their staffing needs. “getting around” the software is getting to be nearly impossible. It also might not be a good way to show your employer how you immediately want to start bending and getting around employer rules, or how unconscious you are about saving the company money? Just a thought.
Nice & handy. Thanks for sharing
Nice & handy. Thanks for sharing.