Many companies use digital databases to search for potential employees. This means that their HR department will conduct searches based on specific keywords. Therefore if your resume doesn’t have the keywords associated to the position description of the job you are applying for, you will be cut from their list of possible applicants even before the ‘real’ selection process begins.

So how do you ensure the correct keywords are in your resume? The best way is to survey advertisements for similar positions across a number of companies. If you currently hold a similar position you may also find a number of these words (usually nouns) in your own job description. This research will reveal a fairly standard set of keywords that relate to the position sought from an employer’s point of view.

Here are some extracts from real ads for salespeople from all over the world.

Ad 1

We are looking to enhance our team with a dynamic, results driven, business to business salesperson. Display advertising sales experience is crucial, along with a positive work ethic and motivation to succeed. This role would best suit someone who has developed strong new business development skills.

Ad 2

What We Look For: Self-starter with strong work ethic who can work independently. Warm interpersonal and with sound communication skills and a strong motivation to succeed!

Ad 3

Experienced Direct Salesperson required to generate new business in the mobile phone industry. To sell contracts business to business. Experience preferred in this industry but not essential. We are looking for a self motivated, hard working, hungry individual who wants the best in life.

Ad 4

The ideal candidate will have sales experience of some kind, and can demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for selling ads. A genuine enthusiasm for (and understanding of) our mission and content is absolutely necessary. The Ad Salesperson must have an excellent phone manner and strong communication skills, must be able to work on deadline, and must be able to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner. Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, File-maker Pro) is a must.

Give yourself the best chance to at least get onto an interview shortlist… search your keywords and phrases!

Once you have the words can try the free blank resume – fill in the blanks and build your resume using the interactive online resume form at www.orglearn.org 

Resume Tip B – Have Someone Review Your Resume

Excerpt from a Questcareer article:

Ann Hackett?- “15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes”

“14.Have someone else review your resume. Since you are so close to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings of positions that interest you. Encourage them to ask questions. Their questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently left off your resume. Revise your resume to include these items. Their questions can also point to items on your resume that are confusing to the reader. Clarify your resume based on this input.”

Great article and worth a read:

http://www.questcareer.com/tips.htm

Remember we are often blind to our own errors of judgment or how we are actually are ‘seen by others’, so a frank and honest review of what we have written my hurt… however it may help… a lot!

Remember to check out the interactive online free blank resume form at www.orglearn.org