Résumé screening: Rob's guide to beating the system

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Résumé screening: Rob’s guide to beating the system

February 25, 2013

No calls yet? Could you have sworn that your last job application felt like “the one”? Sometimes when you’re on the hunt for a job, every job posting can feel like it could very well be the one you’ve been waiting for. If your phone isn’t ringing, it could be that your application never made it past the gatekeeper.

It’s true, but you can’t always blame human resources or hiring managers for not seeing your amazing potential. It could be a computer program! Yes, it’s true. Employers can receive many résumés for any particular position so some companies use résumé screening programs to filter in candidates based on keywords listed on your résumé.

Here’s how you can “beat the system,” so to speak.

1. Review the job description.

Don’t just scan it and rejoice that you meet the basic qualifications and fire off your cover letter and résumé. You really need to analyze that job description. Highlight keywords that are stressed, such as number of years of experience, or particular skills (e.g. team-building, data analysis, bilingualism, etc).

2. Create a job-specific résumé and cover letter.

All of those keywords and skills that the employer listed were obviously important. Make sure you use those same keywords in your résumé multiple times. The computer program may be set to scan cover letters and résumés for particular words. You may have all of the requirements, but if you don’t make that exceptionally clear, you could get screened out.

3. List core competencies.

Core competencies are generally a summary at the top of your résumé that sets out in bullet-form what your clear skills and assets are as an employee. This is another opportunity to include all or many of the keywords listed in the job description.

4. Use accomplishment-based sentences.

Don’t summarize your duties at previous jobs with statements like, “I sold phones to customers in a friendly and approachable way.” Focus on your accomplishments with statements such as, “Recognized for increasing sales of ABC Phone by 35% through my approachable sales tactics.”

Ultimately, sometimes you get called and other times you don’t. It can come down to luck in some cases. The main thing to take away here is to remember to keep trying. Keep networking and keep an open mind.

Good luck beating the system!

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