Resume Writing and Search Engine Optimization
How important is a resume that stands out? Let’s get real.
You have about 6 seconds to create a spark with the person who is reviewing
resumes for that job or you will be passed over. That said, a resume that stands out with a
great story quickly told is extremely important. One thing that may help is Search Engine
Optimization (SEO). Websites use this to
get hire rankings on search engines such as Google.
How does that affect you? In the same way websites
strategically place specific keywords and keywords phrases in their content to
attract Unique Visitors who searched for those keywords, you will do the same
with your resume. If you input the appropriate keywords recruiters and hiring
managers while sourcing resumes will find you a lot easier thus giving you a
better chance of getting an interview. When they source resumes for a position
on a job board or an applicant tracking system, that system has a search
function. They search by keywords.
I convinced you that you need to optimize your resume but
you don’t know how. OK, I’ll tell you
how. The first place you look for keywords is on the job description itself.
Read through it and look for words that are used multiple times in the job
description. Make sure those words are
in your resume. Next, they may be
looking for what is called “relevant content”.
What is that you ask? The job description may say something like “Sigma
Six” as a qualification. Make sure that term is in your resume (if you have
that designation) so it will show up if they search for it.
You can also use a keyword search tool. There are many
free ones on the Internet. I do not have a preference which one to use. Here is
a link to one for you to check out: https://serps.com/tools/keyword-research/
, this is a Google Keyword search tool. As an example if you type in “accountant”
you would get these results:
|
accountant |
27,100 |
|
|
The 27,100 is the number of times in the previous month
that the term account was searched on Google. Let’s look at the term “tax
advisor”. It was searched only 4,400
times the previous month on Google.
Which word would you want on your resume? Of course the term “accountant”
because it was searched @23,000 times more which means it is much more popular
and has a stronger search value. Of course if the job description is for a “tax
advisor” you would put it in your resume regardless of its search value.
Consider adding relevant hyperlinks about work that you
have done if you have them. Things like a personal website, links to articles
or blogs that you may want to share or maybe an online video CV. Don’t forget
to add a link to your medial profiles such as LinkedIn.
We hope this help?
disABLEDperson, Inc.
www.JOFDAV.com