May 21, 2010

Beating the resume-tracking numbers game

• 4 Comments |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

One of the most common mantras that is drilled into every job seeker's head is "personalize." Personalize you cover letter, your networking, your interviewing techniques to make a connection with hiring managers and convince them that you are the exact person for the job. But have you truly personalized your resume too? If not, you may be pushed to the bottom of the pile before your job search can begin.

Paul Anderson, a career psychology consultant with ProLango Consulting in Redmond, says applicant tracking systems (ATS)--which instantly scan resumes and assign a numeric score based the number and frequency of keywords that match the job description--are so prevalent now in the corporate world that job search efforts are pretty much a numbers game. In some large companies, which can attract hundreds of applicants for a single job, many recruiters simply take the top 10 highest ATS scores for further review and then shelve the rest, he says.

Even if your cover letter perfectly establishes you as the best possible match, we have entered an era where the generic resume listing your basic qualifications in no longer valid. "Say we're both looking for the same engineering job and we both have solid C++ programming experience," Anderson says. "If I happen to say it four times in my resume and you only say it once, I'm going to get the higher ATS score."

This cold calculus may seem harsh and unfair, but there are ways you can use it to your advantage, he adds. By sending customized resumes that follow a few simple rules, knowing that you're communicating with algorithms rather than people, it's possible to gain an edge.

Drop the "career objective" entirely. This is perhaps one of the most outdated concepts on resumes today, Anderson says. "It immediately tells hiring managers about your own goals but says nothing about what you can offer for the company," he says. Instead, he recommends starting off with a bullet list of four or five of your core competencies that directly relate to the job description.

Don't limit your resume to one page. This old rule of thumb was encouraged during the days when resumes were actually read by human eyes that were subject to fatigue, Anderson explains. Today, when auto-scanning takes nanoseconds, it's best to let your resume run to two or three pages to explain what you can offer to the company and give yourself more opportunities to increase your keyword count.

Put your best skills forward. It's not just how many times you mention your skills, it's also about where they appear. Traditionally, the skills section of a resume is at the bottom, which will only drag down your ATS score; move them up toward the top of the page, he says. Also, make sure that the required skills listed in the job description are the first ones you list on your resume.

Never send the same resume twice. Even if it's been years since you last applied to a company and want to try again, make sure you sent a resume that is tailored exactly to the new position. "Some companies will keep resumes on file for seven to 10 years," Anderson says. "They won't forget that you had applied before and that you didn't bother to update it."

Keep those social networks updated. "If there's one thing a recruiter hates, it's when they grab a resume and then look up the applicant on LinkedIn and see inconsistencies," Anderson says. "That will just get you red flags." Because many positions attract people with identical skills, it is often the ones with the fewest red flags that will get the call-backs, he adds.

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.

• 4 Comments |
• E-mail |
• Print
• • Share:
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Read more
resumes, social media, software

4 Comments

Peter on May 23, 2010 1:49 AM | Reply

I agree with the Skills at the top, the lenght of the resume and updating.
But it seems that Linkedin is just a waste of time. The web is excellent for fun!!!

Jake on May 23, 2010 7:11 AM | Reply

I agree with Peter Linkedin is a major joke. I've been on there for 4 years and have received, zip, zero, nada from any affiliation. It's for people who no longer value face time.

Christine on May 25, 2010 9:42 AM | Reply

I'm going to disagree with the comments about LinkedIn. I have old colleagues who have posted on new jobs they are looking to fill, and if I know someone who fits the job description, I've forwarded the lead on to them. LinkedIn is great as a 'rolodex' that updates you to connect with associates who can benefit your business or help you or your loved ones find your next job. I use it as a professional social networking silo that is separate from the personal social networking I do with friends and family on facebook.

Maureen/WorkSource Renton on May 25, 2010 11:38 AM | Reply

have to agree with Christine and ProLango re: LinkedIn. It's a great contact data base, helps in researching companies and who you or your connections know there, and lets you view jobs posted directly by recruiters. WorkSource sites in King County are teaching job seekers how to use this tool and Paul Anderson has been a great resource for us. I suggest folks take a tour of the LinkedIn Learning Center at the website and see how this tool is evolving and what it can do for you in 2010.

Leave a comment

* required field

Your name: *

E-mail address: (Will not be displayed)

Your comment: *

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.