Successfully Utilizing Keywords In Your Job Search

One challenge modern job seekers face is the need to balance their resumes and LinkedIn profiles for both human eyes and applicant tracking systems. You want a readable, engaging resume, but it may need to get through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) first. While up to 40% of companies may not use an ATS, using organization keywords is still the best way to get noticed by both digital and human eyes.

What exactly are keywords? Susan P. Joyce excellently defines them as:

“The terms used by searchers to find relevant content in a search engine, social network, applicant tracking system, or other database.”

We always speak about the importance of tailoring your resume, and this is where keywords shine. Discover why keywords are vital in the modern job search and how to make them work for you, and you’ll find the key to job search success!

The importance of keywords

Recruiters spend a short amount of time on each resume, and the ATS may keep your resume from getting to them in the first place. You need to stand out in a limited amount of time and prove you’re the candidate for the job.

Consider your search. You’re using keywords to find the jobs you are interested in, inputting job titles and locations into search engines to find positions relevant to you. If you’re looking to be a warehouse supervisor, just typing in “supervisor” is going to find a lot of unrelated jobs.

Coming up with a plan for your job search is the first step to finding the right keywords to use. Ivy Exec recommends figuring out your goals and conducting thorough research before you start applying. Target your ideal roles and industries, talk with your network, and research specific organizations. This targeted approach will provide clarity on what your dream jobs are looking for and how you can appeal to them.

Utilizing keywords

With this knowledge, you can begin incorporating keywords into your resumes and into your LinkedIn profile, too.

While we’ll recommend, as always, tailoring your resume for each position, there are a few keywords that are always relevant—your basic information!

It may seem obvious, but make sure you’re using the same professional name across all of your job seeker material. Susan P. Joyce says if your business cards use a different name than the one you use on LinkedIn, it will lead to confusion.

You don’t want to use a full address, but make sure your current city or targeted city is clear, as many recruiters search based on location. If you speak any additional languages or have college degrees or certifications, they should be clear as well. Finally, use a job title for the position you seek, and be as specific as possible. Use the version used by the company, if possible, and when in doubt, Susan adds to use a slash between two similar titles (Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant for example).

With the basics covered, you can get into the finer points. Start by combing through the job description and highlighting all action words. These are the key responsibilities of the position, and your resume needs to show you’re capable of them. If you see a reoccurring word, definitely make a note to incorporate it, writes Mariana Toledo.

The exact word choices matter and you want to be specific. That’s why the easiest way to find relevant keywords is to take them right from the description.

Next, look at the industry on the whole. The terminology may change from position to position, but there should be a few constants. Alison Doyle suggests looking at the difference between job-specific skills and transferable skills and making sure to highlight both. If you’re applying for a programming job, you may need specific software skills, but you’ll also want good communication skills.

“For example, being able to operate a power saw is a job-specific skill for a carpenter, but not for many other jobs.” –Alison Doyle

You can use these keywords and incorporate them through your work history. Not only will this show you have the experience where it matters, but a potential ATS will note the word choice and help you stand out.

If there are any relevant proficiencies, certifications, or courses you’ve completed, make sure to add them as well. These are things like Photoshop, Salesforce, WordPress, programming languages, and even Microsoft Office suite. These can be sprinkled within your work history or on a separate “skills and qualifications” section.

Finally, after incorporating keywords, make sure your resume is readable and truthful. Joseph Rios writes that while it may be tempting to manipulate keywords to your advantage, never lie on your resume. It can bite you in the rear down the road. Susan P. Joyce adds that stuffing your resume with keywords with no strategy will make your resume bloated and unreadable. Make sure to incorporate your keywords in a logical and descriptive manner.

Wrap up

Using keywords may seem daunting at first, but if you do your proper research it will become a natural part of job searching. It’s imperative to stand out in your job search, and using the right keywords will make sure your resume gets seen. Use job descriptions and industry knowledge to your advantage, and incorporate the keywords in an honest and logical manner.

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Defining and Presenting Your Personal Brand

Branding is a powerful tool that allows consumers to anthropomorphize different companies. Some of the most successful companies stay in the public eye because of their strong branding and iconic imagery. But this isn’t limited to large companies. With some careful planning, you can create a curated digital presence through personal branding.

Using technology, potential employers and customers can learn all about you without ever meeting you. With that in mind, it’s better to control that image yourself. How do you want to be viewed? No matter where you’re at in your career, controlling your own narrative can be the key to living the life you desire. We’ll explore why it’s so important to build your brand and what you can do to present yourself in the best possible way.

Why does it matter?

Think of a celebrity, whether you like them or not. Think about the traits you associate with them. You’ve likely never met this person, but you have an opinion of them based on these perceived traits. That’s the power of personal branding, and it’s reasonable to assume you’d rather have people thinking positively about you.

Harrison Monarth sees the difference between reputation and personal brand as intentionality. Your reputation is based on first impressions and the relationships you’ve formed. Personal branding is about creating your narrative and deciding what you want to present.

Renderforest lists three keys benefits of having a well-defined personal brand:

Raising self-awareness: Taking a look inward will give you a deeper understanding of your strengths and weakness and the value you can bring to others. Once you understand this yourself, you can better market what you have to offer.

Build trust and credibility: If you’re putting forth a consistent and accurate message, you’ll appear much more credible. With the traits you’ve chosen to define you at the front, people will look to you as an expert where it matters.

Grow your network: If you’ve built trust and credibility, you’ll come to be viewed as an expert in your niche. This will lead to others reaching out to you and looking for your expertise.

Finally, according to Medium, as of 2020, 43% of the workforce in the US is made of freelancers and contract workers. If your name is your business, it’s crucial to have a strong personal brand to keep growing.

How to build your personal brand

You already have a personal brand whether you realize it or not, but it’ll take some self-scouting to craft the image you want. Mac Prichard suggests doing a self-audit and asking others for objective feedback. Do a deep dive on search engines to see what pops up when you search for yourself and make sure your social media pages are “clean.” Then, talk to people you know and see what you’re known for. You can use anonymous tools to make sure you get honest feedback.

“You may be tagged in a video on Facebook where you’re singing Happy Birthday offkey. Funny and harmless—except if that’s the first thing an employer sees when searching for a serious, competent business leader.” -Mac Prichard

Next, decide how you want to be defined and what your goals are. How do you want to be known? Whether you’re a charismatic salesperson, a master of a specific technology, or an expert in handling conflict resolution, you want to have a clearly defined niche. The more specific that niche, the better. We recently covered the idea of the elevator pitch—a short summary of who you are and what you can offer. This is the core of your personal brand.

After these steps, you should have an idea of how you’re currently viewed and how you’d like to be viewed. The next step, according to Anders Hjorth, is to build your assets. What resources do you need to increase your visibility and your credibility?

You can not like social media, but it pays (sometimes literally) to have the right profiles. Depending on your industry, you may also want your own website to showcase your work or a portfolio filled with previous projects.

Make sure those profiles are working for you through careful design. Make sure your profiles will get noticed and make people want to contact you.

At the end of this process, Mac Prichard says to go all out. Once you’ve built a brand you’re happy with, steer into it. Exude confidence and don’t be afraid to show off your personality.

“You’ve done the work to know who you are and what you bring to the workplace. When you are clear and convinced that you’re a valuable and effective contributor, that message shines through. Your professional brand should convince others that you think you’re the best candidate for the job, and they should too!” -Mac Prichard

Wrap up

Standing out for the right reasons is the key to succeeding in the business world. Creating a clearly defined niche and becoming an expert will grow your network, help build great relationships, and assist you in finding your dream career. Playing an active role in crafting your personal brand is the first step, and the benefits are endless!

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Stand Out In Your Next Interview With These Insider Tips

Following the Great Resignation, companies are looking to refill positions while job seekers look for new positions that align with their values. While that means there are a plethora of job openings, there is a significant amount of competition for those top openings. As a job seeker, how can you stand out in your interview?

We’ve previously covered some of the best interview practices, but it pays to keep innovating and adapting. Forbes’ Jack Kelly took a look at the hiring trends from Spring 2022 and provided an insider’s view on how to stand out in a challenging hiring cycle. We’ll look at Jack’s findings and provide some of our own to help you land your next career.

Clearly express interest

We’ve previously analyzed the similarity between dating and job searching. One common technique in dating that you should NOT add to your job search playbook is playing hard to get. If hiring managers are going to invest time, money, and effort into hiring and training you, they want you to be invested in the company and its culture.

Jack explains there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes in a hiring cycle, including multiple departments being looped in, preparing a compensation offer, and planning onboarding and training. A candidate that rejects an offer or prefers to wait for a better one is wasting a lot of the company’s time.

This is why you want to reiterate that you want the job. Make that desire shine through your body language and in your responses. Reference what you like about the organization and the position. Your sincerity will keep you in their minds when they make their decision.

Be prepared

Jack’s next suggestions, asking smart questions and proving you did your homework, fall into a similar category. The more knowledge you possess before you enter the building (literally or metaphorically), the better of a candidate you’ll be.

“Being prepared and being someone that can show you are prepared provides the interviewer with the impression you are interested in the potential job, took the time to plan ahead, and care about the outcome.” –Biron Clark, Career Sidekick

The more you know about the organization, the more invested you’ll seem in the position, helping with the previous point. It will also help you relate your skills and experiences back to the role you’re interviewing for. The more deeply engaged you can be, the better your rapport with the interviewer will be, and you’ll prove yourself a capable candidate.

Michele Mavi of Fairygodboss stresses the importance of leaving generic responses at home. Take time to thoughtfully and specifically answer a prompt rather than rushing to throw out a quick response. And make sure to actually answer a prompt. Don’t force the interviewer to hunt for value in your answer.

Meanwhile, the more you prepare, the better your follow-up questions will be. Every interview should end with a chance to ask your questions, and preparing meaningful questions in advance show foresight and a desire for deeper knowledge.

Make the interviewer’s life easy

Depending on the position, interviewers may be talking to dozens of applicants, and before they even get to that point they must go through even more resumes and schedule time to talk to all of their prospective clients.

Work with the interviewer to schedule a time that works for them, especially if you’ve got flexible time yourself. That extra bit of courtesy from asking “when is a good time for you?” shows you value their time and you’re willing to be a team player. It may not seem like much, but these types of traits are valuable and not always ubiquitous. You don’t have to be a push-over to succeed, but some basic courtesy and willingness to be a team player go a long way.

Use a call to action

Every persuasive speech should end with a call to action, and an interview is no exception. Your desired outcome should be “hire me”, or at the very least, “bring me in for the next round of interviews.”

Jack says to make sure to ask for next steps and to even go as far as to ask “Could you please share what the next steps are and who I’ll meet with for the following rounds?” This exudes confidence while reiterating your interest in the role. Express that you want the role, reference a few topics discussed during your interview, ask about next steps, and make sure to thank your interviewer before you leave.

Show some personality

This isn’t in Jack’s piece, but showing off your uniqueness in a professional manner will help you stand out, too.

James Philip, founder of Heavy Hitter Holdings, suggests a little humor and levity go a long way. You want to appear to be someone capable of putting in the hard work, but you also want to look like someone fun to work with. Striking that balance can be a rewarding challenge.

Indeed suggests wearing bold colors to make your professional attire pop. As long as it matches well and isn’t an eyesore, a brightly colored tie or dress shirt can help you stand out visually. You may not want to emulate Saul Goodman’s actions, but the man knows how to wear colorful suits!

Wrap up

All of your previous interview advice applies as well, but these particular tips should give you the extra edge to stand out in your next interview. A fully engaged, well-prepared, courtesy candidate is a hiring manager’s dream. Let your personality come across and your sincerity will surely be noted.

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Watch Out For These Red Flags On Your Next Job Search

In wake of the Great Resignation, many organizations are rapidly trying to attract talent. It’s a good time to be a job seeker, as experts believe 2022 is a year favoring employees. But while many companies are hiring and job seekers have a plethora of options, not all of those options are good. Navigating the job market can be like walking through a minefield as you try to avoid questionable organizations.

Thankfully, a well-prepared job seeker can avoid these “mines” by recognizing the red flags these organizations put out. Whether in the job description itself or based on statements you hear in an interview, there are telltale signs you’re heading for an unpleasant role. We’ll cover six of these major red flags to avoid during your next job search.

Vague or problematic language

Before you even interact with someone from the company, the job post alone can tell you a lot about the company’s culture. Just as in dating, there are plenty of words and phrases that should immediately set off warning lights.

Being described as a wizard, ninja, or rockstar might be cool in a video game, but avoid companies seeking these fantastical titles. Dice writes that many tech companies used these titles to jazz up descriptions, but now they are commonly used as a vague, catch-all term to describe someone that checks every single box they want. These terms are also often gendered and can indicate a workplace lacking diversity.

Meanwhile, avoid companies that claim to be “like a family”. Families can often be dysfunctional, and while that may be okay for you and your loved ones, it isn’t how you want a company to run.

“Workplaces that claim to be a family can come with the downsides of family—poor boundaries and guilt trips. No thanks.” –Hcareers

Vague descriptions, or conversely overly long descriptions, can be a bad sign, too. The company may not know exactly what they’re looking for, or they may have unrealistic expectations for the position.

Finally, pay attention to words that imply the position will come with lots of extra work or lead to burnout. If the job description mentions “work hard, play hard”, “fast-paced”, “must be a self-starter”, or “unlimited earning potential”, you could be heading for a bad time, writes Forbes. While these terms don’t need to be immediate deal-breakers, feel free to ask the recruiter what exactly they mean when they use these terms.

Avoiding discussing pay

Even if you’re passionate about your career, you’re still getting paid for your work. Ideally, you’ll make a comfortable living. If a job is vague or dances around the subject of salary, it can be a bad sign.

Some companies may use vague language like “based on experience” or “competitive salary”, but when asked, they should be able to provide a range.

“It’s just basic human choice. We would never accept a job without knowing how much money we’d get in it. We cannot make a decision without that core information.” –Katrina Kibben

Lots of turnover

You may need to do extra research on this tip, but if you see the same position in your search multiple times, it may mean the organization has a high turnover rate. Jennifer Parris suggests you may need to dig deeper to find out why this position is constantly open.

It can be worth asking the hiring manager but don’t be afraid to look outside the current organization. Look at reviews on Glassdoor, check LinkedIn to see how long people remain with the company, and if you know anyone that worked there, get the inside scoop.

Lack of communication

If you’ve started the process of applying and the communication between you and the hiring manager is sporadic, this may be a sign of a dysfunctional organization. While both job seekers and hiring managers can be guilty of ghosting, if you’re having communication issues this early in the process it’s a bad look. We all have bad days, but if you’re consistently being ghosted or the manager feels unprepared, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Long hiring process

Glassdoor’s research team found the average hiring process is 23.8 days, though obviously, this is industry and position-dependent. But the longer the process takes, the more skeptical you should be.

Some organizations may ghost you completely after your interview, but if it takes weeks to hear back even when you’ve got the job, it can be another sign of disfunction, writes Jennifer Parris. The position may not be a priority, meaning you won’t get the support you need once you start the job. Or there could be communication breakdowns between different departments.

Expecting unpaid work

For some positions, you may need to provide some extra examples of your work. If you’re a content creator, for example, a company may want to see writing samples. And while skills assessments are frustrating, they do have value. But if it feels like a prospective employer is asking for too much, it’s a bad sign. This can also apply to the phrase “mandatory overtime”.

If it feels like you’re doing free labor, approach the interviewer. Their response can be telling, believes Fairygodboss. Your time is valuable.

Wrap up

Armed with this knowledge, it should be easier to spot job openings that might not be for you. While you should watch out for these potential red flags, it’s always worth asking the hiring manager about them. Extenuating circumstances happen, and some managers may not know why certain phrases can be problematic. Do your research, ask necessary questions, and ultimately, trust your gut.

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How To Answer “Why Do You Want This Job?”

“Why do you want this job?”

On paper, it’s a simple question, but for many interviewees, it can be a doozy. Your interview may have gone well, but if you fumble on this seemingly easy inquiry, you may fail to stick the landing and miss out on the job.

This common question allows hiring managers to see if you’re the right person for not just the position but for the organization itself. Many job seekers are caught off guard by this question, but they shouldn’t be. Separate yourself from the pack and wow your interviewer by making these preparations:

“What interviewers are looking for when they ask that question is the depth of thinking and seriousness a candidate has about working at this company,” –Jeff Hyman, CEO of Recruit Rockstars

 

Ask yourself the same question

Before you even agree to the interview, ask yourself the same question. Why do you want this position? Are you just looking for the first company in your field that will hire you? Are you looking for a bigger payday? Are you searching for a better cultural fit? Does this role excite you? You’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Knowing your own motivations is the best first step.

“You spend the bulk of your time at work. It pays to work somewhere you like.” –Abi Tyas Tunggal, Himalayas

 

Do your research

As always, doing your homework before the interview is the best practice. While you’ll be able to have some of your questions answered during your interview, you’ll want to know as much about the organization as possible before the interview.

This starts with the basics: go to the organization’s website and look around, especially at anything involving company culture, find reviews from past employees and customers, and check out their social media. But job search strategist Hannah Morgan advises going even further. Look into press releases, talk to current and past employees yourself, and conduct an informational interview if possible. The more information you have, the better idea you’ll have of what life for this company will look like and whether or not this is a job you want.

Identify common ground

Through your research, you should gain an acute understanding of the company’s culture as well as the nitty-gritty details of the position. Look for overlaps between your valued traits and theirs. Indeed recommends making lists of your career objectives and your core values and looking for matches.

If the company’s culture aligns with your own and the position itself looks to be a match for your career goals, it’s much easier to express that to your interviewer. You’ll be more enthusiastic about accepting a position there, and you’ll be able to demonstrate your value.

Emphasize what you can offer

“Why do you want to work here?” isn’t just a face-value question. This is an excellent chance to demonstrate your value and why you’re the best candidate for the position. Connect your skills and experiences, along with what makes you unique, to the job. This is a final chance to sell yourself as the best candidate. The Muse’s Lily Zhang suggests keeping your answer brief but to focus on a few key skills and relating them to the job posting. Meanwhile, Forbes contributor Ashira Prossack suggests that this is an ideal time to highlight your soft skills.

“Your unique skills and talents are a selling point here, particularly soft skills. The more you’re able to demonstrate how you’ll use your skills to add value, the better you’ll stand out in the interview.” – Ashira Prossack

Be detailed

Make sure your answers are detailed, both in regard to your own skills and experiences and when you reference the company. Use tangible examples of how you’ll use your skills to bring value to the role. Don’t tell the interviewer you have good leadership skills—relate those skills to the position and how you’ll use them if hired.

Reference direct details about the company. Point to a mission statement or a specific innovation and build your answer from there, proposes career coach Emily Liou.

“If you’re interviewing for a position at Apple, for example, and tell the hiring manager you want to work there because they make cool computers, that’s not going to land you an offer, because so many other candidates are saying the exact same thing.” –Emily Liou

Avoid pitfall answers

In accordance with the above point, details are good and vague, meandering answers are bad. One of the most common pitfalls is only focusing on what the company can offer you, usually in terms of salary, advancement opportunities, or other perks. Answering in this manner can not only make you look selfish but appear as though you’ll accept the first offer given to you. Make sure to reference the company itself and focus on the mutual value you can offer each other.

Wrap up

Some of the most basic interview questions can throw off even the best candidates, and it pays (literally!) to be prepared. If you’re interviewing for a job, there’s a strong chance you want that job. Figuring out why and being able to effectively express that desire is the key to a successful answer. Demonstrate your value and be detailed, and you’ve got a good chance of being hired.

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