Interview Tips >How to Improve the Chances of Your Resume Getting Selected in a Semantic Search
In the last post, we looked at what a “Semantic Job Matching Engine” actually is, and how it is quickly changing the application process. Your resume now must contain good information, otherwise the semantic matching engine will not know that you are a good candidate for the job.
Changing Your Resume
There are several things you can do to improve your resume – and several things you cannot. You cannot make up experiences, and you cannot claim you have skills that aren’t there. If the hiring manager searches for those skills, you’re out of luck. In addition, there is no surefire way of designing a resume for the matching algorithm. The algorithms are too complex, and generally unbreakable. Even if you could break it, you wouldn’t know what the interviewer is searching for in order to guarantee you show up in the results. You can only give your best guess.
Adding Keywords With Accomplishments
Though the specific keywords matter less, keywords are how a matching system learns what you know and what you don’t know. Recruiters across the world advise that you put accomplishments on your resume, such as:
- Improved sales by 500%.
They are correct. You should have accomplishments all over your resume. However, you should not allow the accomplishment to stand alone. The algorithm does not know how important “500%” is without additional information. Add words. Good words, not cliché words. For example:
- Improved sales by 500% by instituting “authentic relationship building” techniques.
The keywords will improve the content of your resume, which will improve your chance of showing up in searches.
Replace Objective Statement with Professional Summary
This is a no brainer. The professional summary is a great way to add content into your resume without ruining the impact of your accomplishments. Use the professional summary to sprinkle great words throughout your resume.
Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
Finally, your best bet of showing up in a search is to make sure your resume is written with the job, job description, and probable tasks in mind. If you are applying for a job in Networking and your resume focuses on your expertise in web design, you are not going to show up in networking searches. Each job has its own expectations and needs, so you should review each job description and company and write your resume based on what you believe they value.
No Perfect Formula
There is no way to know exactly how to change your resume, or whether the company is going to use a semantic matching engine at all. The best you can do is design your resume with the semantic search in mind, but make sure that it is still impressive to human readers. That is the best way to give yourself a chance of getting the job.
Take Away Interview Tips
- Use professional summaries.
- Add good words as needed.
- Cross fingers and don’t break any mirrors.
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