Applying to jobs can be a taxing and upsetting process, especially when you aren’t hearing back from jobs and you aren’t sure why. If you are becoming frustrated with the process, hiring a professional resume writer could give you peace of mind. These professionals are qualified to ensure your resume is presenting the best version of yourself, and they also are trained to help you ensure your resume is keyword optimized.
It’s true, keyword optimization of your resume does matter! This does not need to cause you further resume stress though. There are steps you can take to ensure your resume is getting to the people you are trying to reach.
With the rise of the internet, the job process became digitized, which has both pros and cons. While jobs are much more accessible in the digital world, it also means more and more people are applying for the same positions. Some large companies have chosen to purchase software that automates this process, allowing them to eliminate candidates whose resumes do not match their search criteria.
Ask for professional help
If you aren’t truly in tune with how applicant tracking systems work, it may be beneficial to get help from a resume company such as Resume Writing Services. The average resume writer is going to be very trained in how to not only get past resume screeners but also how to score really well with them.
While this may be a solid solution, it’s also the most expensive one – so it’s not recommended unless you are really having trouble with your job search or beating the applicant trackers. Most resume services go for around $150-$300 so it’s usually used as a last resort.
Focus on the most important job requirements
Typically, the non-negotiable job requirements are listed at the top of a job listing. Use these as your guideline for what qualities the hiring manager considers most important for that position. These will probably appear in the form of hard skills the job requires, such as specific language requirements, required schooling/degree, or types of software programming. If you fit the criteria, make sure you are phrasing these skills with the same wording that the job posting used to indicate you are a perfect match for the opportunity! This will also visually allow the recruiter to scan through your resume quickly and make a decision on whether your application will move forward.
Ensure your skillset matches
Make sure you are really qualified for all the positions you are applying for, to ensure your resume makes it through the initial scan. Being qualified just means that you want to ensure you have a degree or experience in a relevant field, have worked in a similar job capacity, and have the tenure required for the position. While it is natural to change your career path and recruiters understand a job pivot, it’s important to verify you have the base skill set required.
Don’t overthink it
While adding in keyword optimization will definitely give you a leg up in the initial resume review process, it’s not a deal-breaker if you don’t have all the specific skills listed. At the end of the day, a human will be the one interviewing you, not a computer, so it’s best to ensure your resume is a real reflection of your past work experience and is not just cleverly arranged to outsmart a robot. With this said, keep your resume organic and honest. You do not want to do anything to cheat the system and ultimately jeopardize your chances of landing a job.
Keep your resume simple
It may seem counterintuitive, but the way your resume looks makes a difference in the optimization process as well. At the end of the day, hiring managers are looking for simple and easy-to-read resumes. You want to avoid colorful designs or overly creative resume templates. For most jobs, your resume isn’t the place to show your creativity and it’s best to keep it simple and stick to the basics.
While it may seem frustrating to think your resume may never make it past a computer, don’t get discouraged! The technology ultimately is ensuring that candidates who are receiving invitations to interview are qualified for the job. As an applicant, this is saving you from expending further time and resources on jobs where you are not a great fit. Your perfect job is out there!
