You seem to be doing everything right. You’ve looked up how to write a compelling cover letter, how to format your resume and the best methods to approach the job search, but it still isn’t working. You aren’t getting callbacks and it seems like recruiters don’t know you’re there.
To get the edge when looking for a job, it’s important to keep up on the latest technology. Many recruiters and HR staff now use recruitment management software to screen through batches of resumes and cover letters. This software allows them to automate the first step of the recruitment process, which is sorting through resumes and dismissing those that don’t meet the qualifications for the job.
Tools like Bullhorn CRM and Greenhouse Recruiting Software allow recruiters to find the best candidates by using keywords. These keywords encompass a lot and include things like job titles, job requirements, skills, previous employers, experience with software systems, and certifications. Depending on what position an organization needs to fill and the size of the company, a recruiter or HR person will likely be scanning through potential candidates using one of these automated systems.
Whether you are clueless about keyword optimization, or are a tech person who is looking for best practices, research is always a good way to have a full understanding of something. Here are a few resume keyword tips to help you land more job interviews.
Use Your Status to Your Advantage
One of the first things recruiters will be looking for is someone who has experience in the job position they are looking to fill. Many job titles have pretty specific roles, and you should use that within your resume so they know you’re capable. Titles like Director or Manager make the recruiter aware that you are able to run a department and manage other people.
The company you are currently working for might also catch a recruiter’s eye. If they know that X software company is doing really well and has developed successful products, they may search it and give you a higher offer. Always make sure to put down your current title, and make sure to update your resume if you get a promotion or additional responsibilities while you are working.
Do your Research
Search the job that you would like to pursue on the job boards and try to catch common phrases or a common theme throughout the job posts. By doing this you can figure out the most common words and phrases that will be likely used by recruiters. Look at this example of a posting for a Director of Communications position.
You can see that there are some themes in here and some good keywords like media relations, issues management, corporate communications, thought leadership, and messaging.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Labor has this useful resource that gives you some of the most common keywords listed by industry.
Having accurate descriptions of your past work experience accompanied by keywords will ensure that you aren’t automatically eliminated by a software program. Try your hardest to weave the keywords into job descriptions or your cover letter, and try to avoid adding them like a list at the end of your resume.
Ultimately you still need tangible experience in order to get a call-back from a company. If you have the know-how, but still find yourself having a hard time during the application process, you should look into adding additional keywords to your application.
