Optimize Your Resume Effectively for Search Engines

resume search enginesThere’s much talk around the fact that an effectively written resume is the key to landing more interviews, down to every word in the document.  There couldn’t be more truth to this statement.  Hiring managers usually decide in the first few seconds of looking at an applicant’s resume whether or not it is a possible fit for the position.  And nowadays, applicant tracking software is used heavily to scan resumes for relevant keywords to the job description of the position the applicant applied for.  This means that often times, a machine is looking at your resume and deciding if it is worth an interview, way before it gets into sight of a human being.  The chances are especially likely if you are submitting your resume through an online job board such as Jobdiagnosis.com, Ziprecruiter or Indeed.  Below are some suggestions on how to format your resume so it will rank higher on resume search engines and applicant tracking software:

1)  Choose relevant and likely-to-be-searched resume keywords and phrases

Keywords to use in a resume include specific job titles you have held, skills you possess, educational degrees and licenses, and names of prominent professional organizations you have belonged to.  You want to include these targeted words in multiple parts of the resume and in the cover letter as well.

Improve the Language and Descriptive Words in Your Resume

2)  Use relevant resume keywords and phrases not only often, but smarter

It definitely helps to use relevant keywords to the job you are applying multiple times, but that alone won’t help your resume to rise to the top in searches.  It is also important to include the keywords you use in the resume in an appropriate context, so make sure you surround them with related text that explain them further.  For example, if you are trying to rank for a skill such as “content marketing”, go on to explain how you gained the experience, software you used when doing it, and specific ways in which you applied the skill.  Also, using important keywords as early as possible in the resume will help it get found in searches.

Get Employers to Notice Your Resume

3)  Tailor your resume to every position you apply for

Resume keywords and phrases are going to vary with every position you apply to, so be sure to review every job description and pull out specific language and terminology that is used in it.  It also helps to look at social media profiles of people that hold the position you are applying to, to see which keywords they seem to be focusing on.

How to Write an Excellent Resume Employment History

4)  Use Appropriate and Credible Hyperlinks

Not only does this make you look more knowledgeable and your resume more professional, resume search engines gravitate towards documents with links to prominent websites.  Link some of your target keywords you use in the resume to credible and relevant websites.

5 Resume Writing Tips to Put in the Past

5)  Keep Your Resume Tight and Concise

Try to limit the long sentences and unnecessary wording, and keep your resume rich with eye-catching and industry-relevant keywords.  Search engines prefer shorter, more concise documents.  Also skip the extravagant fonts and symbols, which will only make more work for the search engine or applicant tracking system, and can possibly make it more difficult to find you resume on them.   Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial, and keep it consistent throughout the document.

Upload Your Resume Here

The following two tabs change content below.

Jessica Cody

Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.

  1. Minna

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really
    well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read
    more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely
    return.
    b012f51a2158f4edb7b1a496d863ac4b

    Reply
  2. Dick

    Good day I am so thrilled I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Askjeeve for something else, Nonetheless
    I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
    have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked
    it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
    back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.
    b012f51a2158f4edb7b1a496d863ac4b

    Reply
  3. tree fronds

    whoah this weblog is fantastic i love reading your posts.
    Stay up the good work! You already know, a lot
    of persons are hunting around for this info, you could help them
    greatly.

    Reply
  4. Norma

    Helpful information. Lucky me I discovered your site accidentally, and
    I am shocked why this twist of fate did not took place earlier!
    I bookmarked it.

    Reply
  5. car insurance comparison quotes

    Admiring the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you offer.
    It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
    old rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site
    and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Reply
  6. Chu

    I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning
    this website. I really hope to view the same
    high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing
    abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now 😉

    Reply
  7. renewal completed

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts
    as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
    My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
    Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Tiffiny

    Appreciating the time and energy you put into your blog and
    detailed information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every
    once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed
    information. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

    Reply
  9. Anitra

    What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled
    upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads.
    I’m hoping to contribute & aid different users like its aided
    me. Good job.

    Reply
  10. senior home care services

    Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s
    very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability
    and appearance. I must say you have done a great job with this.
    Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet explorer.
    Exceptional Blog!

    Reply
  11. Brandy

    Hi! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up
    for your great information you have got here on this post.

    I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.

    Reply
  12. Wiley

    I’m excited to discover this website. I wanted to thank
    you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!!
    I definitely savored every bit of it and i also have you saved
    as a favorite to check out new things on your web site.

    Reply
  13. Vanessa

    Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful
    information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

    Reply
  14. Dorthea

    I’m very pleased to uncover this page. I need
    to to thank you for your time for this particularly
    fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every bit
    of it and i also have you saved to fav to see new stuff on your web site.

    Reply
  15. daily motivation

    Hello there I am so glad I found your blog,
    I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something else,
    Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say
    many thanks for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I
    have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep
    up the great work.

    Reply
  16. sales skills identifying

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this brilliant blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to fresh updates and will share this website with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

    Reply
  17. Marquita

    Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of
    volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

    Reply
  18. Gregorio

    What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful
    and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help different customers like its helped me.
    Good job.

    Reply
  19. car computer exchange

    I was more than happy to find this site. I wanted to thank
    you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely really
    liked every little bit of it and I have you book marked to check out new things in your web site.

    Reply
  20. Merissa

    Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after looking at
    some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll
    be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to criminal activity involving Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *