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AGEISM IN THE WORKFORCE
FIRST there was sexism, then there was racism, now another ‘ism’ is poised to cause more headaches for South Wales employers – including how they word their job ads. The Government is currently asking people for their views on plans to outlaw age...
Employment and relationships with co workers
Most of us interact with our co-workers on a daily basis, its what helps us get through the day. Most employers go to great lengths to promote the "team", some thousands of dollars on retreats and seminars and the like. Basically, to them a...
Fire Your Boss! It's the Only Responsible Thing to Do
You may have been raised to think that firing your boss and becoming your own boss is an irresponsible, impulsive, and selfish thing to do. Think again. Firing your boss may be the only responsible action to take if you want to build financial...
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that reads, “Freelance Writing Jobs, Apply Within”? There just is not. In fact, you may have a hard time finding writing jobs of any type advertised in any employment magazine or newspaper either. So, how do...
Job Applications Don't Risk Lying
"Everybody does it" as they say. Face it, the job market can be
a very tough place to compete. If everyone inflates their
experience then how can an honest person get a job?
Well, as tempting as it may be, you do NOT want to risk lying...
Power Networking: Getting Your Name Out There!
Today's economy presents some very special challenges to people
who are unemployed, underemployed, or who are simply trying to
give their own business venture a shot in the arm. At times, the
job search can seem daunting, if not impossible, as it...
Re-plan Goals Every 6 Months
There was a time when five-year plans were all the rage. But
that was when workers can still count on signing up with a
company for life. In the warp-speed world of technology, five
years is an eternity. So how is one supposed to map out...
Understanding Your Skills - Step 1 In The Job Search
Identifying your skills and getting that job
When applying for a job, it is ideal that you identify your
strengths and weaknesses and get prepared to address them. By
knowing your advantage, the chances of getting the job that you
want will...
What are the Goals and Objectives of Paralegal Schools?
What are the Goals and Objectives of Paralegal Schools? Individuals enter a paralegal school and obtain paralegal certificate because of several objectives. Some attend paralegal classes to earn paralegal certificate and would provide them enough...
Working in Dubai
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s fastest growing employment hotspots in the world. Up to 20 new companies establish themselves in the emirate’s free trade zones every week and since 2002 some 650 companies have registered in...
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Demystifying Resume Keywords
Many recruiters are now opting to scan applicant resumes into a computerized screening database system in their endeavors to simplify the screening and selection process. For a job seeker this means that when developing their resume they must not only ensure that the content is impressive and distinguishable from their competitor’s but also that it is keyword optimized in order to secure a high ranking during a computer-based search.
Previously known as buzz words, keywords are generally nouns (however can also include verbs), and are typically structured into compulsory and advantageous categories to identify crucial skills and experience required in a candidate.
To perform a resume search the recruiter enters relevant keywords into their computerized tracking system. Comparable to an internet search engine (which uses a spider to ‘crawl’ around the internet to assemble appropriate information according to the stipulated keywords), a recruiter’s computerized tracking system recognizes specific keywords within all the resumes located on their database. When the tracking system locates a keyword, it is termed a ‘hit’, with the greater number of relevant keywords located in the document giving that resume a higher ranking.
To guarantee your resume will be included among the highest ranked document, keywords should be industry/job specific and applicable to what a recruiter or potential employer would be looking for in a suitable job applicant. They may include job titles, relevant skills, industry jargon, and necessary education / academic achievements.
Keywords can be generated from the resources outlined below:
- Job postings – either printed or online;
- Job descriptions / person specifications;
- Industry Association Websites;
- Career related discussion forums;
- Yellow Pages – either printed or online;
- Job Related Publications (which can include the Occupational Outlook Handbook – http://bls.gov/oco/home.htm; or
O*Net – http://online.onetcenter.org);
- Resume and career exploration books/material;
- Corporate websites (including our organization; or job opportunities web pages);
- Other resumes that have been posted online; to name a few.
To optimize your resume’s ranking with search engines and computer tracking systems include a ‘keyword’ section toward the forefront of your document as well as incorporating keywords throughout your resume. Avoid placing keywords nonsensically throughout your document as you must maintain a fluent writing style to ensure your resume flows smoothly.
Following is an example of a keyword section for a Marketing Student’s resume which was strategically positioned at the forefront of their document:
KEYWORDS:
Marketing Student, Brand Management, Advertising, Marketing & Promotions, Market Research & Analysis, Marketing Surveys, Customer Service & Retention, Public Relations & Speaking, Leadership, Collaboration & Teamwork, Financial Management & Reporting, Analysis & Problem Solving, High-Impact Presentations, Alliance & Relationship Building, Escalated Conflict Resolution, Bilingual, fluent English & French.
To enhance the resume’s ranking when being reviewed by a computer applicant screening system or internet search, similar keywords were also included throughout the body of the resume.
As a final measure to ensure you have included sufficient keywords in your resume scan through and mark them with a highlighting pen to confirm consistent placement throughout your document.
Continued success!
About the Author
Annemarie Cross is a dual-certified/award winning Resume Writer, Career Coach and NLP Practitioner, and founder/principal of Advanced Employment Concepts, a career consultancy offering specialised solutions for people striving for success and fulfilment in their careers while maintaining work/life balance. Annemarie can be contacted at: www.annemariecross.com
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