![\"Power](\"http:\/\/media.monsterindia.com\/cmsimages\/1525156415.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
You have all the qualifications and skills detailed in the online job ad, but you still haven\u2019t heard back about your application. You\u2019re wondering, what went wrong?<\/span><\/p>\n Chances are, your resume is lost in cyberspace. Flooded by job applications, many companies are now using computer programmes known as applicant tracking systems (ATS) to check if your skill set makes you the right fit for the hiring position. If your resume doesn\u2019t contain the right mix of job-specific keywords — words that describe skills and attributes industry insiders typically use to define themselves and others in the profession \u2013 it may remain buried in the database forever.<\/span><\/p>\n So how do you write a resume for a hiring market dominated by search engine technology? Follow these guidelines:<\/span><\/p>\n Identify the right keywords for the job<\/strong><\/span> For additional keywords, you can also refer to the company\u2019s website. If the leaders focus on creativity or out-of-the-box ideas, you could incorporate related words even if the job listing doesn\u2019t seem to warrant it. Also, look online for lists of keywords that are suitable for almost every job \u2013 there are certain skills and qualities that every employer wants in almost every candidate.<\/span><\/p>\n Create a master list<\/strong><\/span> Customise your resume<\/strong> <\/span> Customise your CV for each individual job ad, sharing proof of qualification, skill or experience against every requirement listed. Use the same words that are used in the job description requirements while describing your eligibility if you want to achieve a higher keyword ranking in the ATS. Remember, it\u2019s common practice for recruitment managers to begin reviewing applicants from the top of the ranking list.<\/span><\/p>\n Showcase your keywords<\/strong> <\/span> Prune, trim, edit<\/strong> <\/span>
\nThe best way to know which keywords will work for a particular job posting is to review a few similar posts. Some words are bound to be mentioned repeatedly \u2013 degrees\/certifications, job titles, job-specific buzzwords, service types, technical terms, and industry jargon. Once you see a pattern, make sure you list the words repeated most often in your resume and cover letter.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAfter doing your research, your list of keywords is likely to be long. It\u2019s imperative that you narrow it down to between six and eight keywords. Any more could make it seem like a computer programme, and not a person wrote your resume.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nLisa Quast, author of Secrets of a Hiring Manager Turned Career Coach: A Foolproof Guide to Getting the Job You Want. Every Time, says, \u201cDepending on how a specific ATS works, the location, and frequency of keywords within your resume can be extremely important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHow you embed the keywords within your resume is also important. Experts suggest that you precede each one with an action verb and end the statement with specific facts and figures to best sell your skills to a potential employer. Try using words like \u201credesign\u201d, \u201claunched\u201d, \u201coptimised\u201d, \u201csolved\u201d and \u201corchestrated\u201d to shine <\/span>a light on your skills, credentials, and competencies.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nLast but definitely not least, word choice and sentence structure is extremely important. Master r\u00e9sum\u00e9 writer Jacqui Barrett-Pointdexter believes it\u2019s \u201cnot just about using the right words, it is equally about teasing out the nuances of your stories and then combining them in a way that is attractive to your target reader: recruiter, hiring manager, etc\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n