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Is Your Cleared Resume Job Board Ready

Not all resumes are alike—or even follow the same rules. When it comes to the resume you post on a job board like ClearedJobs.Net, some of the traditional strategies apply, but there are tweaks needed for success. We’ve all heard about tailoring resumes, but today, we’re discussing how to make a more general resume that will grab the attention of employers searching a resume database.

1. Think Like a Recruiter

When you upload your resume to ClearedJobs.Net two things happen. You’re not only able to search and apply for jobs that are posted on our site – employers can also search our resume database to find you.

There are even some cleared employers who pay to have access to our resume database that don’t post their jobs. So posting an effective resume is the only way to be discovered for some cleared opportunities.

But with the volume of resumes in our database, you may wonder how yours will ever be found. The good news is, there are specific steps you can take to boost the likelihood of your resume catching the eye of the right recruiter.

What’s the key to being found? Think like a recruiter.

By aligning your resume with the search parameters used by recruiters, you’re essentially speaking their language. It’s like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs that leads them straight to your profile. So, let’s unravel the mystery behind their search criteria and learn how to adjust your resume to increase your chances of being discovered and landing your dream job.

2. Optimize Your Keywords

Just like you type in keywords to pull up the cleared jobs you’ll likely be interested in, recruiters type in keywords to find relevant resumes for the positions they’re trying to fill. So as you might have guessed, one of the best things you can do to increase the visibility of your job board resume is to incorporate the keywords you think employers will be searching for.

Start by analyzing job postings for your desired role and identify the keywords and phrases commonly used. This could include specific skills, certifications, job titles, and industry buzzwords. By seamlessly integrating these keywords into your job board resume, you increase the likelihood of matching the criteria used by recruiters during their searches and coming up in their results.

So don’t be afraid to go a little longer than usual. List all the tools of your trade to be sure you’ll stay in a recruiter’s search results when they start plugging in additional keywords to try to narrow down their number of results.

For example, if they search for a job title or phrase like “project manager,” they’ll likely have more search results than they have time to sort through. So they’ll add extra keywords specific to the requirements of the job to lessen the number of resumes that populate.

The keywords they search for will be highlighted in your resume so they can identify the criteria they were looking for easily. It may be helpful to put some of these keywords towards the top of your resume in a summary of qualifications section, so employers can find them immediately.

3. Utilize Variations and Synonyms

In addition to incorporating specific keywords, it’s essential to consider variations and synonyms commonly used within your industry, because two recruiters may use different terms to search for the same role. For example, the terms “system engineer” and “systems engineer” are both acceptable in the industry. You don’t know which version of that job title a particular recruiter will search for – so include both in your resume in that case.

For the same reason, if you did both software development as well as software engineering you should include both of these key phrases as opposed to trying to lump them all into one category or the other. Remember that the level of industry knowledge, including lingo, can vary from recruiter to recruiter. Cover all your bases in your general resume to increase the likelihood that you’re speaking the same dialect as the recruiter.

Similarly, acronyms and abbreviations frequently used in your field should also be included to ensure comprehensive coverage. While one recruiter might search for “Project Manager” another may search for the acronym “PMP.”  The same goes for “Database Architect” and “DBA.” By casting a wide net and encompassing various terms and phrases, you expand the reach of your resume and make it more likely to surface in relevant searches.

4. Update and Refresh

Once you’ve posted your new job board resume to ClearedJobs.Net you don’t want to log out and simply wait for the opportunities to roll in. It’s a good idea to keep your profile active by logging in from time to time and even updating your default resume once in a while.

Most job boards, including ClearedJobs.Net, will list all the resumes that meet a recruiter’s search criteria in chronological order based on the date the user last logged in to their account. This helps them know who’s actively in a job search and likely available. A resume posted three months ago could be buried, especially when a recruiter runs a broad search.

Many recruiters also set alerts to inform them when a resume is added or updated that meets certain criteria. Updating or refreshing your resume could get it emailed directly to any recruiters who may have set up a search agent after you originally uploaded it. So be sure to update and refresh your profile to boost your visibility in the future.

In addition to uploading your resume, make sure you fully complete your job seeker profile and give adequate attention to the Key Skills section.

5. Customize When Necessary

Though we talked about the power of a general job board resume, there is still a time and place for more tailored resumes. As you apply for jobs on ClearedJobs.Net or follow up with recruiters after attending Cleared Job Fairs, be prepared to tailor your resume for specific job postings. Instead of using all the variations we discussed earlier, opt for the keywords outlined in the job description and align your resume to the requirements as best you can to stand out among other applicants.

At the end of the day, it comes down to knowing your audience. Your job board resume has a large audience and needs to cater to everyone as much as possible. But once you have a target reader, it’s time to focus on tailoring as much as possible to a particular opportunity and audience.

Your resume is your ticket to securing interviews, but it’s only effective if it actually gets seen by recruiters. By implementing these strategies and thinking strategically about how recruiters search and find candidates on job boards, you can increase your visibility and maximize your chances of success on ClearedJobs.Net.