Tools for better resumes

In our last video, we are going to show you a couple of hints, couple of tools to make your resume better.

One, let's talk about keywords, or some people call them 'power words', those words that resume engines looks for when they are looking through resumes. So, make sure, they are in resume.

This comes from what's called SEO or Search Engine Optimization.

That's how search engines look at Websites and they look for the words that customers are typing in.

Not necessarily the words that companies use, but what customers are typing in.

The example I always use is, if I was talking about summer footwear, I wouldn't like to use the word 'Thongs', one because people would giggle and other, the words that people use now are 'Flip-flops', that's why I want these words on my Website.

Same thing with your resume. You want to get specific on your resume. So let's look on this one here.

Let's look at Darryl's 'Skills'. He talks about consumer devices. Well, what is that? Are we talking about tablets, are we talking about phones?

If I put this resume to a phone company, I want to make sure that I am talking about phones.

I might even want to put manufacturer of the phones that I know, because their Websites are probably built around looking at the competition, looking at those manufacturers.

Another one here is monthly reports.

That just happens to be what we call reports here. But what are people looking for?

It could be 'Analytics', or it could be 'Online Metrics'.

What are those things that companies looking for? Get specific there.

These power user words get updated all the time.

You want to check them out on those resume websites and add them to your resume.

A little more subtle with words...Sometimes you are just typing, realizing using the same words, or the same adjective over and over again.

For example, I have "increased," twice. So let's change that.

If I right-click, on my right-click menu, I get Synonyms, and I mouse over that and quickly find the word "improved", so I put that there.

Let's do that again. Down here, I have the word, "expanded", twice.

If I right-click, and go to Synonyms, there's no good synonym here that I want to use.

So, I can click on the Thesaurus and it opens the Thesaurus on the right-hand side.

I can just keep clicking on the words to find the right word.

But yeah, see it's adjectives that they have here, and I want the verb, so I'm going to put the word "grew", and Insert the word there.

So that's a quick way to change some words, so that it reads a little better on your resume.

Couple of other things, most people don't use cover letters now. It's kind of old fashion.

In those engines where you insert your resume, there is a section for Cover Letter, which is really important text to put in because you can show off your skills of writer.

You can talk about things that aren't about yourself necessarily.

Maybe, you want to talk about trends that you see in the industry, or testimonials.

If you need a paper cover letter, you may look at a template because it is important. I'll show you why.

Go to New, and I'll search for Resume cover letter and it brings some.

One thing that hasn't changed with the old paper cover letter is you need this very formal formatting.

Your name at the top, the date, and the recipient's name. Make sure it is not to "Whom it may concern", make sure you get a name.

But if you are not used to writing this format, make sure you use a template to get this formal structure when you are doing a paper cover letter.

Also, if you want formatting for a reference sheet, or need a little help, we have templates for that too.

So make sure you bring copies of your paper resumes to your interview, and follow up with a 'Thank you' note or 'Thank you' card to your key contact, and good luck on getting that new position.