How to Make Your Resume More Searchable

When posting your resume online, there are a variety of ways to make your resume searchable -- and findable!  In the Learning and Development industry, there are many titles and keywords to use to enhance your resume and make sure it is found by recruiters.

Check out these ways to enhance your resume in order to make it found when people are searching for a consultant with your skill set.

Zip code
Include your zip code on your resume even if you do not include your street address.  When searching for candidates for jobs that require local resources, recruiters search by a zip code and mile radius to find candidates local to the client's location.  If your resume is uploaded without a zip code, it may not show in any search results.  To ensure that your resume is viewed for jobs based on locality, it is important to list your zip code in your resume.

Market Keywords
Internal job titles change by company and are not reflective of "market titles."  An Instructional Designer may be called an Education Consultant or Performance Technologist in some companies.  But the skill set is recognized as Instructional Designer in the market so those are the keywords recruiters search by.  Instead of just including job titles, be sure to include market titles in your resume to illustrate your experience and help your resume get found.

There are certain market titles that may be written differently but have the same meaning.  It is good to include all variations throughout your resume so that if a particular title is searched, your resume will be viewed.  Here are some examples of keywords and their variations that you could include in different places throughout your resume.

Examples
e-learning or eLearning
LMS or Learning Management System
Instructional Designer or Curriculum Developer
CBT or Computer Based Training
WBT or Web Based Training
SME or Subject Matter Expert

Tools
Include a tools section and list your experience level with software tools.  There are jobs that may require knowledge of specific tools; and if you do not list any of the required tools, your resume may be overlooked.  List your level of experience either in years or specify proficiency, as in "expert" or "intermediate."

Keywords play a big role in whether or not your resume is viewed.  Sometimes, it is better to be specific, rather than generalize, your areas of expertise.  For example, rather than saying you are experienced in LMS applications, list the ones with which you are familiar.  If a recruiter searches for resumes that contain Saba, Authorware or Plateau, and you do not list those applications, your resume may not be found.

Industry-Specific Keywords
Avoid general job descriptions, but highlight your specific experience with certain products or services.  If you worked at a financial institution and developed training on a certain financial service or product offering, then mention that in your description of that job.  At Clarity Consultants, we often receive job orders that require experience with certain financial products, such as Investment Banking or Wealth Management. 
 
Relevant Keywords
When posting your resume on job boards you may include a keywords section at the bottom of your resume.  This section may list additional market job titles, industry experience and a list of products or services that are part of your experience.  For example, throughout your career you may have been an Instructional Designer.  You may also have developed technical documentation.  In this case, be sure to include keywords such as Technical Writing and Technical Documentation in your job description. 

Following these tips should enhance your resume -- and increase the probability that a recruiter will find it.

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