Are you sending out one job application after another, but not hearing back? A lackluster resume may be the culprit. As you\u2019ve probably already heard, you\u2019ve got about six seconds to catch someone\u2019s eye (or be passed over), so having a resume that packs a punch and tells a great story quickly is key.<\/p>\n
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Not sure how to do it? My advice for getting beyond\u00a0<\/span>the first glance<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is this: SEO yourself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While you probably know the term SEO, you may not know what it means (or how it applies to your resume). SEO stands for\u00a0<\/span>search engine optimization<\/em>, and it involves techniques to make a website appealing to search engine algorithms\u2014or, in other words, get more love from Google. Top websites regularly consider how to make sure they\u2019re noticed by the big search engines\u2014and when it comes to your resume, stealing a few techniques from the SEO playbook can catapult you to the top of the heap.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are five tricks from the internet marketing world that\u2019ll get you past the initial glance and into the running for the position you want.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. Use Relevant Keywords<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A website can have great information, but if it doesn\u2019t include the phrases a searcher would look for, it won\u2019t be found. Similarly, your resume should include terms that align with those recruiters and employers use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your prospective employers are using an applicant tracking system (ATS), keywords can get you past the machine and in front of human eyes. Today\u2019s sophisticated ATS engines search not only for keywords, but also scan for appropriate and relevant context (i.e., listing \u201cAdobe Photoshop\u201d as a technical skill, a language skill, and under each of your prior roles won\u2019t trick the system).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But even if your prospective employer isn\u2019t using an ATS, including clear, relevant keywords increases the odds that your skills will jump off the page to someone screening with limited time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To decide which keywords will be most attractive, review job postings and the LinkedIn profiles of people in your desired role. Check out job sites like\u00a0<\/span>The Muse<\/a>, Indeed, and Dice to skim postings in your field and see which descriptive terms overlap. Switching fields? Check out professional journals relevant to your field to see what language is trending and how to couch yourself in the most appropriate terms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you target the best keywords, be sure to use them (when appropriate) in your current and prior job descriptions, as well as in your roster of skills.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Write an Eye-Catching Headline<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as websites get found (and clicked on!) by readers because of their enticing headlines, you can employ this tactic to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. Consider using headline-type formatting and language on your resume, which helps recruiters skim easily through your qualifications\u2014and see that you\u2019re a candidate worth considering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to do it: Rather than putting the names of your prior employers in bold font, make your job titles the focus, including keywords whenever you can. If your job titles aren\u2019t impressive or don\u2019t quite reflect the scope of what you did, try crafting a short phrase that captions your role (e.g., \u201cAdministrator: Human Resources Guru\u201d). Just be sure your revised title isn\u2019t\u00a0<\/span>so far off that it would confuse your references<\/a>!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then, think like a headline writer, and weave standout language into your bullet points in job descriptions. For example, a sales manager might use phrases like \u201crocketed sales by 30%,\u201d \u201cslashed sales cycle by 20%,\u201d or \u201csupercharged sales staff performance.\u201d Better than, \u201cincreased,\u201d right?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exciting, and\u2014it goes without saying\u2014accurate language can make you stand out and earn you a second (or third) glance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Include Relevant Hyperlinks<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the web, relevant hyperlinks to credible sources improve your readability and page rank within search engines. On a resume? Relevant hyperlinks can provide hiring managers evidence that you\u2019re the best candidate for the job.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consider adding links to your personal website, articles you\u2019ve written in industry journals or publications, or sites that showcase your work. If you\u2019re in a creative field, a link to your portfolio, to apps you\u2019ve developed, or to articles you\u2019ve penned can be very persuasive. For tech job seekers, including links to a video resume, online\u00a0<\/span>CV<\/a>, or sites you\u2019ve built are nice, tech-savvy touches.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, don\u2019t insert hyperlinks just for the sake of doing so. Make sure all links are relevant, put you in a good light, and (very importantly!) do not go to dead pages.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Add Social Media Profiles<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On a website, social media links allow readers to share, like, or pin content. In turn, these social media shares improve SEO. On a resume, including your social media handles is a great way to demonstrate your personality, industry knowledge, and personal brand. Especially if you\u2019re looking for jobs in marketing, brand management, or social media, this is huge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Start with a link to your LinkedIn profile, so recruiters can easily see your connections, recommendations, projects, and more. If you use them professionally, you can also include links to your Twitter, Google+, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Reddit profiles. Bonus: Include links to industry-specific social media sites where you\u2019re an active participant (e.g., IT Central Station for techies, OilPro for those in the petroleum field, or Active Rain for realtors).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Streamline Content<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to websites, content is king. Informative, well-written, and concise articles improve SEO. When refining your resume, keep this in mind, and make sure you use tight, high-quality verbiage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First things first, cut the fluff. Generic phrases and puffery should go ASAP\u2014think clich\u00e9s like \u201cexcellent communicator,\u201d \u201cteam player,\u201d \u201cresults-oriented,\u201d and \u201cmotivated self-starter.\u201d Also ditch passive words and phrases (like \u201cwas responsible for\u201d) and opt for active words like \u201cdirected\u201d instead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next, strike the objective section. Don\u2019t waste valuable resume real estate on this\u2014most readers will skip it (or use it to disqualify you).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally, use numbers. Hard data (think: dollars and percentages) are easier to digest than text. So, instead of \u201ctop-seller,\u201d opt for \u201c\u2018more than $1 million in sales\u201d or \u201cincreased sales by 20% in Q1.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your resume should be brief, but highly effective. These internet marketing strategies can help you streamline and concisely demonstrate that you\u2019re a candidate worth a second look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n