Resume SEO: It’s a Game-Changer!
Tyler Durbin is the lead author and editor here at GenYJourney.com. Tyler shares his daily experiences as a recent college grad and young professional in order for those following the same path to learn from his mistakes and triumphs. Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerDurbin
After searching for my first job during my senior year in college and the months following graduation, I learned that the hard part is not actually interviewing and landing the job…the hard part is getting your resume in the “interview pile”. During one of my interview processes about 6 months ago, I moved into the final round of interviewing ahead of over 600 other applicants. That’s wild!
With hundreds of candidates applying
for the same positions, employers and recruiters are now uploading your resume to databases and using software to quickly scan hundreds of resumes for keywords to simplify the selection process and identify top candidates for interviews. Those candidates whose resumes best fit the keyword searches appear at the top and are most often selected for interviews. That means we could be the perfect candidate, having all of the right experience, education and skills for specific job, but not even get considered by the employer due to the poor positioning of our resume within some database’s search results. That’s stupid…let’s do something about it!
By applying search engine optimization (SEO) to our resumes it can help us stick out from the crowd. Just as SEO is used to put websites at the top of Google search results, the same concept can be applied to getting your resume found and put you in a better position to receive an interview. The whole concept revolves around key words and phrases, so let’s look at some ways to skip to the top of the results!
Getting Started
1) Scan the company’s website and the description of the job to which you are applying for potential keywords and phrases. Identify the keywords employers use to write a job posting. These keywords or phrases are almost always the same as they will use in their keyword search.
2) Link those keywords to your individual experience and skills, as well as other synonyms phrases or abbreviations.
Key Tip: Don’t be afraid to incorporate other profession or industry-specific “jargon” or tools that you use or are qualified to use because of education and/or experience.
3) Be careful with the use of “soft skills.” I think of soft skills as work ethic, teamwork, enthusiasm, etc. as these terms are rarely used in searches.
Idea: Consider creating a single, master resume that you can edit to accommodate specific job postings. The more closely your resume reflects what the employer is seeking in each case, which involves key words and phrases, the easier you make it for the employer to find your resume and you!
Optimizing Your Resume
It’s important to remember, though, that keywords are only what will get you to the top of the search results. Keywords are not the only criterion an employer uses to decide who is best to select for interviews and hiring. You need real experience, skills and education to be considered.
- Do not pack your resume with too many keywords or add keywords that your background and skills cannot support. It will be obvious. Be honest and realistic.
- Be smart. Insert your keywords or phrases in appropriate and relevant sentences.
Key Tip: It might be useful to add a section near the top of your resume, just beneath your name and contact information, which has a short description of objective, as well as a list of your core competencies.
It’s a new world out there. It’s not the same world that you parents or your college professors navigated to find a job. It’s a new game with new tools and new strategies. You have an opportunity to be at the top of it. How are you setting yourself apart from the hundreds of other applicants? Don’t be content with the status quo.
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