Thanks to contemporary computer software, finding a job is as easy as inputting the right keywords into an Internet search. However, the process also works from the hiring perspective when HR managers assess an applicant pool. Learn how to use keywords correctly to improve your chances of landing your dream job.
Enhancing Your Internet Search
The initial hiring process starts when an HR team posts a job title and description on several websites. Internet search engines then pick up the major keywords and rank the posting among many others. It's up to you to find this posting using the right terms either within a general Web search or on specialized employment websites.
To begin, imagine what position you want and what that job title should entail. If you desire a position that oversees a sales and marketing team, you should start with search keywords such as "marketing director," "head of marketing" or "chief marketing officer." This is where your industry knowledge and experience comes into play as you search for opportunities based on the job titles that exist in your specialty.
Once you find the right title within a search, examine the job description. The title gives you a basic summary of the position, but the description holds the meat of the keywords you need to make it through the initial phase of a job search.
Catch the Attention of Applicant Tracking Systems
Before human eyes view your application and resume, an applicant tracking system ranks candidates based on the criteria set forth by the HR manager or recruiter. Keywords, when used effectively, move your name towards the top of the list. For this to happen, you must find the right keywords within the job description to include in your personal brand. Ask yourself if these keywords describe your actual abilities, experiences and skills.
Now you need to think like an HR manager. What keywords in the description are most important? Start with the top of the job description as those skills and experiences are likely to be the most relevant to your potential job. Then, try to find keywords used more than once as recruiters may use these to emphasize the skills needed most. Look for hard skills, or provable skills, that appear as nouns in the job description.
For example, a marketing director probably needs to know how to use various social media websites, how to write press releases and how to deal with a sales team that aims to create new revenue streams. Note the nouns in this possible job description: "social media websites," "press releases" and "sales team." These hard skills should appear somewhere in your vital documents relevant to your job search, such as your resume.
Keywords in the Right Places
Once you find the correct keywords to enhance your job search, it's time to put these terms in the right places. An ATS is sophisticated enough to know when someone top-loads a bunch of keywords into one section on a resume. Placing a bunch of words together to try to fool computer software simply doesn't work. Instead, place the keywords under correct headings and categories on your resume.
Start with the job title for the given position. If Acme Brick wants a marketing director, use that title as your desired position. When you fill in past job titles, use "marketing director" to describe similar jobs you've held.
Be wary of using creative synonyms as resume headings. One industry standard uses "Work Experience" as the label that an ATS uses to rank someone's previous employment, so avoid headings such as "Professional Experience," "Past Employment" or "Career Achievements" since an HR manager may not have time to input every possible synonym for "Work Experience" into the ATS.
For work experience, start with the employer's name and then the job title you held. An ATS can view complete names and then compare the companies to those readily found on the Internet. Because an ATS scans a resume within seconds, you don't have to limit your resume to just one page. Expand on your work experience as you see fit.
If you feel the need to add several keywords into one area of your resume, consider creating a "Professional Summary." This substitutes the old-style "Objective" section located near the top of the document. The "Skills" area also represents a great way to compile keywords close together.
Expand Keywords Beyond Your Resume
A contemporary job search is more than just an application, a cover letter and a resume. Keywords also belong in your LinkedIn profile, social media pages and blog posts relevant to your career. An ATS scans keywords from everything associated with your career posted online.
If you see yourself as a marketing director, place that job title somewhere in your LinkedIn page, on your Facebook profile, on your personal brand's website and within any industry-specific websites to which you belong. Place keywords for your job search in context rather than just as a list of items in order to make your text interesting to read.
Once you get the hang of using keywords within a job search, the process becomes easier and you spend less time worrying about the right keywords and more time enjoying your hunt for the perfect job. Make sure to tailor your job search for a specific company in the midst of creating keyword-rich content. With the right strategy, you're sure to eventually find success in your job search.
Resources:
http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/using-right-keywords-essential-when-applying-for-jobs-online
http://www.quintcareers.com/resume-keywords/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-p-joyce/20-kinds-of-keywords-jobs_b_5092363.html
http://www.cio.com/article/2398753/careers-staffing/5-insider-secrets-for-beating-applicant-tracking-systems.html
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/3-places-to-use-keywords-in-your-job-search/
Photo Courtesy of Flazingo Photos at Flickr.com
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