Use These Tips to Get Your Resume Seen

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


When the job market is flooded with candidates, it's an uphill battle just to get your foot in the door, and a killer professional resume helps you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're applying to small companies with personal review processes or large corporations that use automated software, a strategically designed resume increases your chances of making it through to the next stage.

1. Use Relevant Keywords

The internet is an indispensable part of a modern job search, so keywords are crucial. The right words and phrases can help get your professional resume in front of employers, whether it's posted on LinkedIn or passing through a company's online application system. Start with general keywords, such as the industry name, your desired position title and your university name. Look through job postings for your dream jobs, and find common words that describe desired skills, software and experience. Before you submit a resume online, add keywords that are tailored to the company and the specific job opening.

2. Write Specialized Content

Job postings tend to attract candidates with similar education and work experience. To distinguish yourself, use your professional resume to show off the things that make you the best hire. Possibilities include certifications, experience with specialized equipment or unusual job duties. Don't forget about things from your personal life that might be an asset to the open position, such as managing the social media presence for a large community organization or serving as the volunteer coordinator for your church. If you can't think of anything, set yourself apart by avoiding cliches, including quantifiable accomplishments, and describing your work experience in specific, original words.

3. Make an Internet-Friendly Resume

Search engine bots and resume-scanning software programs look at content, not formatting. In fact, objects like tables and headers can confuse the system and prevent your professional resume from moving on. A simple text-based resume is an easy solution. When using an online application system, paste your resume text into the box rather than uploading a PDF or Word document; you can always provide the employer with a more aesthetically pleasing version later on. When posting your resume online, consider using both a formatted PDF and a text file.

4. Choose a Format That's Easy to Scan

When your professional resume makes it through a computer system and in front of an employer, the design becomes an important factor. Busy hiring managers don't have time to read through dense paragraphs of text — make their lives easier by choosing a simple, easy-to-scan format. Place your most relevant qualifications and experiences near the top of the page. Then, break up long entries using bulleted lists; the most important words should appear near the beginning of each list item. Use indented blocks of text to create a clear information hierarchy, with the crucial information placed nearest the left margin. Finally, use bold and italic font treatments to draw attention to key details.

Getting your professional resume in front of employers is a time-consuming — but essential — part of the job search process. A sharp, tailored and internet-optimized resume is more likely to get noticed, helping you get to the interview stage in less time.


Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Erin J thanks for your comment. You didn't mention it but it sounds like you are trying to get a position within a medical facility instead of home health care. Personally I would stay with home health care as it is going to be booming in the next ten or so years as us baby boomers age and need more healthcare. But, if not, then maybe you need to consider a refresher course. They are probably right in that you don't really use any equipment as a home health aide and technology has increased a thousand-fold within the healthcare system just in the past few years. New equipment and new ways of caring for the sick are things that maybe passed you by. My kid is a CNA working on hospice care patients. She gave up her position at a senior care facility so that she could have more freedom and mobility and she loves it. The company that she works for requires so many hours of continuing education to stay with them and they help her with that. Maybe you should find a facility that offers CNA courses so that you can upgrade your skills and get certified. Makes all the difference and your pay will go up as you become more experienced.

  • Erin J.
    Erin J.

    My resume has always been internet optimized. Lately, my three years as a home health aide has become negative to potential employers; they stop at that, then tell me I am sorrily lacking in skills!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Karl thanks for your comment. Cover letters seem to be a hit or miss. Some companies require them, some specifically ask for a resume only and others do not specify either way. Personally, if the job posting does not specify either way, I send a resume and a cover letter. Yes, if you send a cover letter, it will be read right along with your resume. Always remember to include keywords and to write the cover letter in such a way as it's all about them and not about you - as in tell them how they will benefit from hiring you.

  • Karl C.
    Karl C.

    With companies using ATS to screen resumes, are cover letters even read?

  • BAMBI K.
    BAMBI K.

    I understand about the use of keywords, yet they are getting so cliché. Multi-tasking...ugh! Horrible word, yet it must be used. I think the ideas in the article are very good. Thank you. @Sara J. Yeah, I've been using the keywords found in the ads just because of the software used to weed out résumés without those words. I find it interesting to paste my résumé into the box for the bots to find...I wouldn't have thought of that! @Anselma J. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and they have wonderful employment services. If you live near a Deseret Industries Employment Center, you can make an appointment with a ward Bishop (clergy member) and after talking with you (no preaching) he may refer you for Employment services. You do not have to be a church member for these services. I have received a lot of help, They helped me cut back my résumé, I can use computers with internet, copy/fax. I have been referred to computer classes to get up to speed. They have other online classes, too. Good luck!

  • Shawn W.
    Shawn W.

    Same old, tired information I've heard a thousand times before. Nothing new, nothing original......bla, bla, bla

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Anselma thanks for your comment. I have not heard of a free site to edit your resume. Maybe one of the readers of this article will know of one and response. Did you go to college? As an alumni, you could contact the career services at your alma mater and request career assistance including resume writing and interviewing. If not, there are tons of resume samples on the Internet that you could use to help write your resume and your cover letters. Hope that helps.

  • Anselma J.
    Anselma J.

    Is there a free web site to edit resumes?

  • mitchell jefferson
    mitchell jefferson

    These five suggestions for resume writing are very good

  • Sara J.
    Sara J.

    The reason why she is suggesting "key words" for your resume is because recruiters are using software programs to select candidates for the jobs. Not all job sites show you how many people are applying for these positions. The recruiters have to use these programs to narrow down who can potentially fit the position. If they spent all their time actually reading every resume submitted, they literally would not have time for anything else. So take the key word seriously. It will help you get that position. Think adjectives-

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Janice it's hard to give any real life examples as this article is written for the general audience, not for any specific industry or career. @Jeffrey are you taking advantage of the VA programs that are available? The Vet Center in your area? They can certainly help you find your place. I am a Veteran myself and have been working since the day I retired from the Navy. I was over 40 at the time also. So it can be done. Just make sure you are taking advantage of all of the programs out there. @Deborah it has been tough to get your resume seen ever since the financial crisis wiped out millions of jobs. But it's not impossible. Make sure that you are using keywords from the job posting so that you get past the gate keeper of the ATS. @Shawn the cover letter always seems to throw us. We don't mind writing up a resume but, when we have to actually write something - in sentences - we seem to freeze up. Just take a deep breath and think about what you want that interviewer to know; about how hiring you will benefit the company. That's what a cover letter is all about. Best of luck all.

  • Shawn W.
    Shawn W.

    That Cover Letter is the first thing u have to get right.

  • David O.
    David O.

    It's been challenging getting your resume noticed let alone getting a call for interview. I will incorporate your advice and come up with a new resume, and then hope for the best.

  • SAMAR M.
    SAMAR M.

    YES

  • Deborah Schell
    Deborah Schell

    This is interesting advice. It becomes more and more demanding to even get your resume noticed.

  • Jeffrey H.
    Jeffrey H.

    If your a Veteran, like myself , it doesn't seem to make any difference, if you are over 40 with 17 years under your belt ...still it doesn't matter. Any suggestions?

  • kevin h.
    kevin h.

    Great advice!

  • Denise Elmore Lockheed
    Denise Elmore Lockheed

    Nothing new to say in this article

  • Janice H.
    Janice H.

    You are not really giving any examples just making general statements.

  • Patricia Horvath
    Patricia Horvath

    Liked the part about tailoring resume to company language.

  • Patricia Horvath
    Patricia Horvath

    Liked the part about tailoring resume to company language.

  • Ronald R.
    Ronald R.

    Great advice to anyone under fifty. They have algorithms to weed out "mature" candidates.

  • Norm V.
    Norm V.

    great advice!

  • Rob A.
    Rob A.

    This will make it easier

  • SANDRA M.
    SANDRA M.

    Thanks for the info. This will help everyone.

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article posted by Staff Editor in Career Advice
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