How to Get Your Resume Past the Robots

Job hunting is an art. Resumes, cover letters, interviews, follow-ups…the process sometimes involves as much finesse as it does skill. Even after you’ve written a killer resume, getting past “resume robots” can be incredibly difficult – fortunately, it is far from impossible.

These resume robots, or automated resume review software, can scan and reject applications in seconds and are a favorite of larger companies that receive a lot of job applications for each posting. An applicant tracking system can help organizations review, organize and respond to your resume and application, and they are growing in popularity. Almost all Fortune 500 companies now employ such a system.

If you are getting too many “thank you for applying for our position, but…” notices for jobs that you know you are qualified for, the following tips can help get your resume past the robots to the qualified humans who can take a closer look:

1. Key in on your keywords. Every applicant tracking system is trained to scan for certain keywords or details to help it quickly weed out unqualified applicants. That’s why the right keywords can make all the difference in your job search. After the HR team determines the key qualifications it is seeking, recruiters can program software to search for them. These keywords can involve certain qualifications, college majors, types of experience, licensing or soft skills. Review the job description and then ensure you have ample keywords to match and that they are easy to find and identify. Even better, offer examples of those key skills in action to provide greater context for recruiters.

2. Don’t apply for jobs that you are not qualified for. While it might seem like a good idea to reach for the stars, if you continue to apply for jobs that you are under- or overqualified for, you will be wasting everyone’s time. Likewise, be wary of applying for too many positions at a single company as software can track that as well. Granted, if there are two positions at the same company that are similar and that you are a good candidate for – go for it. But don’t apply for an entry-level customer service position and a team lead at the same company, which can show lack of focus or self-awareness.

3. Make your resume easy to read and easy to scan. Whether a machine or human is reviewing your resume, it should be easy to follow and comprehend. Whether you use a chronological (scanners are reported to prefer this option) or functional resume, include the most recent information first and use bullets for easier reading and scanning. Ask someone who doesn’t know you well to review your resume and ensure it is well-organized.

4. Don’t get too fancy. First of all, don’t try to cheat the system by looking up ways to fool automatic scanning software; if you are overstuffing keywords in your resume and cover letter, for example, this will quickly be flagged. Then, don’t overdesign your resume – this can make it harder to review, no matter who is taking a look. Many scanning systems convert resumes to text-only files, so you will lose formatting; in addition, tables, images and text boxes can get messy pretty quickly. Stick with common fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman or Cambria. Bolding, italicizing and underlining are all ok.

Finally, stick with a .doc format for the easiest scanning experience and make sure you spellcheck everything before you send out your resume.

Once you take the time to appropriately update your resume to get past the robots, you will likely receive more “thank you for applying and we would like to talk with you further” responses to your job applications.

Hunting for a Job During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Whether you are a college senior, have recently been laid off or are looking for a change in a career, you might be wondering how to search for a job during a pandemic or if you should even bother looking at all right now. While the job search experience will definitely look and feel a little different than it would have a few months ago, a smart approach to it all can help you stay ahead of the pack.

Even if many companies aren’t hiring right now, they will eventually be looking to build their workforce and the right combination of networking and skill-building can help you stand out. Current job openings may be put on hold or removed, but it is important to keep your eye on the prize and to continue to prepare.

The following tips will help you chart a course to your next job:

·         Ask yourself, “what’s next?” Since you likely have more time for a job search than you might otherwise, you have the chance to dig deep and ask: What do I really want to do? What do I excel at? What role, industry and schedule would I really love? This will help you identify your targets and determine what positions to apply for when opportunities come up.

·         Network, network, network – shifting your focus online. This is actually a good time for reaching out, since many professionals have more time than usual. Seek out professionals in your job or industry of choice and, respecting their schedules, request a phone or video chat. Make sure you are prepared with a list of questions and mind their time limits. Ask for their advice on finding a job in that area right now and into the future. You can also turn to professional associations via LinkedIn, which will offer resources, job postings and more networking opportunities. Stay in touch with companies and individuals you have previously contacted or interviewed with, letting them know of your continued interest.

·         Follow and follow up. If you are interested in particular companies and industries, make sure you are following them online and in the world. How are they handling this period of pandemic? What initiatives have they rolled out recently? Do they have investor calls that you can listen to? You can comment on posts, take notice of their media coverage and stay up-to-date on their latest projects. When the time comes for a resume or interview, you can demonstrate your interest and knowledge, citing real-world examples, helping you stand out from other applicants.

·         Build your skills. If you need an extra skill or credential, now is the time! Fortunately, there are more free online courses that can help you enhance your skills or develop new ones right now. Whether it’s social media, coding or transcription, you can find a class to make you and your skills more competitive.

·         Determine if and when the time is right. If you do not need to be searching for a job right now, you might consider waiting until the economy begins to bounce back. However, if you cannot wait any longer or have been laid off and need income for day-to-day expenses, you can research job categories that are in demand right now: Healthcare, online communications, shipping and delivery, online learning and childcare, and regular work-from-home options.

Even during challenging times, there are job openings and there is always the chance to boost your skills and hone your interest as you prepare for your next position.

CV Red Flags That May Prevent You From Getting the Job You Want

For recruiters, selecting the right candidate to match client specifications is essential. But, it’s also a recruiter’s job to support our candidates and help them put their best foot forward to a prospective employer. To do so, candidates need to put forward compelling CV content that’s well-structured. 

Of course, if left unchecked, even minor CV errors present red flags that won’t land candidates the job or even the interview. Here are some specifics to watch out for:  

• CV’s that aren’t tailored to the job – A CV shouldn’t just be a document listing a candidate’s career and educational history. Rather, it should showcase a candidate’s suitability for the specific opportunity or sector they’re pursuing. So, CV’s should be adapted to match each job description, including specific keywords and core strengths. 

• CV’s with poor formatting - CV structure is almost as important as the content within. Candidates should format for easy reading by breaking up large blocks of text, using bullet points and bold headings to create distinctive sections.

• CV’s that focus on duties, not achievements – Candidate CV’s should focus on the impact they made within a previous organization. The goal is to highlight key accomplishments with sector-specific achievements that prove value. 

• CV’s littered with clichés - Overused phrases add nothing to a CV. They just take up valuable space that should instead be used for more in-depth descriptions and specific, unique content.   

• CV’s contain unexplained gaps – Any unexplained gaps in your career should be honestly addressed. Context is key to explaining these variances to employers. Those who are open and upfront are more likely to be considered than candidates who try to hide gaps.  

By keeping your candidate in-check and helping them watch out for these common CV red flags, they’ll be more likely to secure the opportunity, which will not only reflect well on them but on you.