Blog Post: Are Recruiters Seeing Your Resume?

In today’s competitive market it’s important that you are doing everything you can to stand out among the other applicants who are searching. Today, recruiters are receiving more resumes per open position then ever before, which means they have to implement some form of resume sorting system. Many companies are either subscribing to websites containing resume databases, like Jobing.com, or using internal software to sort through the applicants. As a job seeker, you need be sure you are using the correct language to get your resume to appear in these searches. A recruiter will only search one or two words at a time to pull up relevant candidates. For example, if they are looking for a designer who is experienced with Dreamweaver and Flash software, they may type only those two words in the search box and start their recruiting process with the resumes that appear from that search. This means you need to think like a recruiter when building your resume. If you had to search for someone to fill the position you are interested in, what words would you use? Start by carefully reading through the job posting and company website of potential employers and look for verbiage that is reoccurring. Use this language where appropriate in your resume. Be sure to include any specialized skills you have that they are specifically looking for. For example, if you have the type of experience listed in the skills and requirements section of the job posting, use that same verbiage when explaining it in your resume. Sometimes the language will not be easy to incorporate in your resume. In this case, creating an objective statement that contains these words is an option. It is also important to make sure the title of the position you are interested in is reflected on your resume. One company may refer to a design position as a "Graphic Designer" while another may call it a "Production Artist". Using the wrong job title could exclude your resume from a relevant search.

Mirroring the language of potential employers can also show that you are a good fit for the organization. For example, if a company website mentions community initiatives throughout, you may want to highlight your community involvement. This will show the recruiter that you have similar interests and may be a good fit among current employees.

Remember, there are many Job Seekers applying for the same positions you are interested in. Make sure your resume positions you as the most qualified candidate for the job. Using the right keywords can help get your resume to the top of the stack.