How do you get your resume noticed when applying for jobs online?

[WindAtMyBack]

It doesn't hurt to have two resumes. If you know that the company strictly uses digital scanning, you can have a section at the end of the resume just for keywords. Personally I think that's tacky and would not do it by default.

If the resumes are stored digitally, there is a good chance that there is no such thing as a "not wanted" pile. A lot of companies like to collect lots of resumes to have on file for any future openings. Some companies keep those files for many years. As a matter of fact, some advertised jobs might not exist. They just want resumes on file.

One thing that shouldn't matter, but it does, is software. Always list any software you've used, even if you only have a little experience with it. For some hiring managers, not having experience with the same software they use can be an outright deal breaker. Even the version can be important. Don't underestimate software experience. Learn new software on your own if you can, then add it to your resume.

Think about the work you've done in the past and think of things that are less common and routine. Listing anything that makes you stand out is helpful. It might only be needed by one out of fifty companies, but when that company is looking for someone, your resume will pop.

If possible talk to past supervisors and experienced co-workers who are familiar with what you did at work. Ask then what you did that they would want to see on a resume if they were doing the hiring. Very often this will not be the same thing you think is important.

Make your resume visually appealing. Forget the words for a moment. What does it look like at first glance? Does it have an appealing "shape"? Or is it choppy and unbalanced? Slight changes to the font size, margins, wording etc can change the shape and make it look more appealing.

Check the big online job boards. Search for your job and look at the job requirements. Especially pay attention to job descriptions and qualifications that do not looked "canned". It usually stands out when it's a lot of canned fluff. Use this as a guide to what you put in your own resume.

It doesn't hurt to send you resume to agencies, even if you don't plan on going through them. It's a good way to get feedback by talking to them. It's also a good way to get feedback on your keywords. Most agencies employ recruiters who are not specialized in any given type of job. As generalists, they basically match keywords that the client requests, with keywords in their resume database. If they call you and ask about such-and-such, if you have that experience and it's not already on your resume, put it there.

Spend lots and lots of time on your resume. A resume is not something you want to cut corners on. Go through as many iterations as you see fit. Get as much feedback as possible, and keep in mind that there are a LOT of personal preferences. What one hiring manager says they want to see, might actually be a negative to another hiring manager.

Speaking of fluff, don't add your own fluff. Be sure to cover what's important, but avoid filler (unless you have almost no job experience).

[Mr_longLegz]

Keep it to essential info and submit it every day. I live in an area where paper applications are essentially obsolete and this has caused huge issues with people getting seen or even seriously considered. Submitting everyday and calling about it is essential.

[jennifer_bloom]

What I find is if your not dynamic and engaging and good at sales pitching, that raw and uncorrupted honesty works just as well. My friend told me he was highly qualified but understated his credentials online cause employers don’t like to hire workers that are more intelligent than themselves. They like to play top dog so playing dumb to get the job and than getting promoted by outperforming his co workers with surprise knowledge was his strategy for job promotion.

[hannah7]

For every job, you should change your resume to basically have your qualifications match the exact things they said they are looking for. Of course don't lie about your qualifications, just emphasize the ones that fit the job and everything.

[genericname85]

only if you have a foot in the door. try to find a public social media account of the person who does the personell stuff and just casually text them, asking about the company or something. that will impress them and keep your name registered.

[Anonymous]

Keep it short, a hiring director once told me that she really only skimmed a few sentences before deciding whether to keep reading or move on.
Organization and conciseness is important!