Search Resume Optimization

Job hunting nowadays is done primarily on the internet. The basic foundation of the internet is to be able to search and find information. With this came the term “search engine optimization” otherwise known as (SEO). Similarly, employers are looking to optimize their searches for new employees. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is used by most companies today to review resumes and identify the best candidates. In the same way that search engines use keywords and phrases on a particular site to describe what the site is about and rank them in accordance to the most relevant, these systems use the content in a resume to determine who the best fit for their search is. Disregarding how the system works would be unwise and probably leave you at the bottom of the list, frustrated and still searching for a job. Efficiency is a term used often today for a reason. By optimizing your resume, you’ll not only help make the process easier for employers, you’ll be dramatically increasing your chances of being hired at the same time. Thus I have coined the phrase search resume optimization (SRO) and provided some tips below:

1. Create a section for your keywords at the top of your resume
This will increase your keyword count and your chances of making it by the first cut Can be titled “Professional Overview” “Career Summary” or “Keyword Competencies” The goal is to optimize your resume by providing all the keywords that relate to your potential job. Give all the keywords you can think of that a recruiter would search for pertaining to your job title, skills, experience, abilities and expertise.
For example if you are in sales a section for your keywords could look like this:
“Sales, business development, qualifying, value, negotiation, deal closing, solution, goals, ethics, generate, recommend, accommodate, growth”

2. Condense your statements
Leave out articles “a”, “an” and “the”. For example, instead of “accommodated the needs of clients,” condense it to say “accommodated client needs” Your job summaries should focus on accomplishments and not tasks. Thus you should leave out “responsibilities” and “duties”. No need to clarify who you are talking about in your resume. Omit personal pronouns like “I”, “me” or “my”

3. Choose your format wisely
Bulleted lists are always easier to read than long paragraphs Separate information by underlining, italicizing, or putting the headlines in bold. Use a widely accepted typeface like Times New Roman and Arial or select a fresh, sophisticated font like Strayhorn or Ellington. (Note: if using a non-standard font either convert your Word file into PDF, or select the “embed fonts” option in Word).

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