Beating the Screen: Getting Your Resume to the Right Person

The advent of job posting boards and electronic screening programs has added a new dimension to the challenge of making your resume stand out from the crowd.

In order to attract viewers, a web site must appear as a search result to relevant browser searches - which may vary in wording. In the same way, your resume must be visible to net-surfing employers, recruiters, and electronic screeners. Embedded keywords increase your visibility.

Keywords are nothing more than industry specific terms that relate to the key tasks or requirements of a field or posting. You should be conscious of the most common buzzwords in your field and use them wherever appropriate. These terms can be concentrated in a Qualifications Summary section, but should be used throughout the document. The accompanying cover letter should likewise incorporate the use of these terms.

Although it is not practical to revamp your resume for every individual job opening, it is advisable to scan the text of each ad for the key terms and the way they are worded. Suppose your resume uses slightly different wording than an employer's ad - "managed the quality control department" instead of "directed a team of quality analysts," for example. If the employer's term can be used in your resume without altering its meaning, use the employer's term.