SAN ANTONIO -- If you’ve been job hunting lately, then you know how competitive it can be out there right now.
But, there is a way to set you apart from all the other job seekers, and, it has nothing to do with putting a video on YouTube or splashing your picture on a billboard. It is more basic and a lot less expensive than that.
It’s using what are called "keywords" on your résumé. Two out of three people, News 4 WOAI talked to had never heard of them. But, employers sure have.
Computer software allows companies to scan résumé for certain qualities or experience wanted in a new hire. Résumés with those keywords make the cut and move on in the hiring process. Résumés without those chosen words are passed over.
“Most employers now do use a scanning system to store the résumé and they go back and search key words,” explained Susan Dollar, Director of the University Career Center at UTSA.
Vince Panella knows about keywords, too. He is the Senior Branch Manager in San Antonio for Randstad Work Solutions. Randstad is the world’s second-biggest staffing firm and represents both employers and job seekers.
Panella has an explanation for why so many companies today are using computers to scan résumés.
“As the economy is changing, there’s more and more people out, putting their résumés online or submitting them to companies. And human beings just don’t have enough time to go through thousands a day, Panella told News 4 WOAI. "So, you’ve gotta find ways to speed up, to some extent, and the way to do that is with search words.”
There are hundreds of keywords out there. You just have to find the right ones for your résumé.
Panella recommends job seekers customize each résumé to each job opening. He says to use marketing words on a résumé for a marketing job and use sales-related words when applying for a sales job.
Here’s an example if you’re going for a marketing position: Words like “business development”, “advertising” and “marketing coordinator” would make your résumé stand out.
However, if a customer service job is what you’re after, then Panella recommends you use specific computer software.
“If I’m searching the Internet, I am not going to look for Microsoft. I’m looking for “word”, “excel” or access”, said Panella. "If you’ve got experience in those, make sure those words are there.”
And just to be sure, Panella says you may even want to use “Microsoft Word” and “MS Word” because the computer selects only what it is programmed to find.
Oftentimes, a potential employer will give you the words they are looking for right in their job description found either online or in the classifieds.
Here’s a simple example: If the job listing requests a “strong work ethic” make sure to put “strong work ethic” in both your résumé and cover letter.
In addition to keywords, both Dollar and Panella recommend job seekers use action verbs on résumé. Like keywords, there are hundreds of them. Click on the links below to find the words and tips that could help you land that new job soon.
