What really happens to your resume when you apply for a job?

As more and more employers and recruiters advertise and ask you to apply for jobs online, it is important to know how to write a keyword rich resume for the online job boards. 

In this article I outline exactly what happens to your resume once you upload it on to the job boards, and how to create a keyword rich resume that ensures that your resume does not get overlooked for positions you are highly qualified for.

What happens to your resume on online job boards

When writing a resume for the major job boards, you need to know what happens to your resume once you upload it online.  The three major possible events: 

• Your resume gets scanned and downloaded by the employer or recruiter and then this data is placed into a database for later retrieval using a keyword search.
• The recruiter and employer will undertake a general search of all of the resumes posted on a job board.  Many of the major job boards make these resume available to employers (sometimes for a fee) and employers search for possible candidates from the resume database, using a keyword search.
• The employer will simply download and print out resumes, with many resumes receiving no more than a 30 seconds review time.  When scanning these resumes, many HR professionals, recruiters and employers quickly ‘eyeball’ your resume and make the connection between your keywords and work history, as to whether you are an appropriate candidate or not.

For all of these eventualities, one of the keys to your success will be ‘keywords’.  These ‘keywords’ are in the way of nouns, and are used to search, index and retrieve your information online, as well as make the connection between employer requirements and what you offer.  Since many employers or recruiters will be screening potential candidates on the basis of ‘keywords’, it is vital to incorporate these keywords into your resume.

So just how to recruiters use keywords? 

Well in the same way you use Google, MSN or Yahoo to locate information online, so do recruiters and employers when retrieving scanned resumes and undertaking online searches of resume databases on the major job boards.  Many recruiters will search using multiple keywords and most of those keyword searches are using the same keywords outlined in their online advertisement.

So for example, if the recruiter requires a Certified Practicing Accountant with project experience, they will search utilising the keywords CPA, or Certified Practicing Accountant, and project management, while undertaking their search.   If this information is not contained in your resume, you resume won’t be looked at.

So the objective for creating an effective resume for online job boards is to have these ‘keywords’ contained in your resume, so that you end up on their ‘hit list’ of job candidates to review. 

What resume keywords should you use?

You need to be using the keywords that recruiters and employers will be using to locate relevant job candidates.  Clearly you will not be able to provide an exhaustive list, covering all bases within your resume, but you should be able to provide a good selection of keywords, that align with the target company, or your profession. 

When locating appropriate keywords:

Undertake a search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, or Ask Jeeves and locate job descriptions – for example “registered nurse job description”.  From these job descriptions you will be able to narrow down the keywords utilised for your specific profession. 

Take a highlighter pen and mark up the relevant keywords used in a job advertisement and make sure your resume contains all of these major keywords.

Example: 

Job Description: Procurement Specialist

This position provides an opportunity to use your extensive procurement experience to assist Ipswich in becoming one of Queensland’s most desirable places to live, work and play, with new industries, new jobs and a quality lifestyle.

The Procurement Specialist will assist with the procurement functions across Council including process and system improvements, contract administration, consumption and expenditure analysis and strategic procurement planning. 

To be successful in this role you will need tertiary qualifications in Business or a related discipline and relevant experience.  Analytical and leadership skills and a commitment to customer service are also essential.

Key words that should be incorporated into the resume

~ Procurement specialist
~ Process and system improvements
~ Contract administration
~ Consumption and expenditure analysis
~ Strategic procurement planning
~ Leadership
~ Analytical skills
~ Customer service

Where do position your keywords in your resume?

Data software and search engines will quickly locate your keywords regardless of where you place them within your resume.  However, since a recruiter or HR professional, will be eventually reading your resume, it is always wise to present your keywords predominantly on the first page of your resume.  The easiest way to do this is to use your keywords within your profile and to create a summary of your skills and knowledge, which contains all your keywords.

For example:

• Stock Management
• Procurement 
• Problem Solving
• File Management
• Data Entry
• Client Service Management
• Till Reconciliations 
• Contract Management 
• Secretarial Support
• Supervision of Staff 
• Discrepancy Investigation 
• Operational Management
• Mentoring & Coaching 
• Quality Management 
• Financial Reporting
• Preparation of Prescriptions 
• Administration 
• Budget Management
• Workplace Health & Safety 
• Reception 
• Adherence to Regulations/Legislation
• Productivity Improvements 
• Document Management 
• Team Building & Leadership
• Staff Rostering 
• Workflow Management 
• Retail/Sales
• Computer Competencies:  MS Outlook, MS PowerPoint, MS Word, Microsoft Office, Pharmacy related software for both the public and private sector. 

Once you have effectively incorporated keywords within your resume, you have enhanced your prospects of recruiters and employers, making the connection between your experience and their specific recruiting requirements.