Tips from a professional recruiter that assists job seekers in getting ahead of the crowd using unique methods to trick the electronic resume database systems into pushing your resume to the top of the query listing.

1. Dawn D. Boyer, M.Ed. Certified Internet and Diversity Recruiter

10. The recruiter will also search for more specific criteria such as location, distance from a central geographic location based on a zip-code, as well as career levels of the applicant or the position they are trying to fill.

11. The recruiter will may also search for candidates who are willing to work in a specific state or city and/or who may need to have a US citizenship to qualify for working at the worksite.

12. The recruiter may also search for candidates who have specific security clearances (DoD), special types of skill sets, a level of education, and hours of work or contract work.

13. The return listing will populate with resumes with the ‘key words’ mentioned the most number of times in the resume (return ratio). The resumes MOST likely to be opened for review and further consideration are those with the words repeated more often within the resume than any other resume. Example: An applicant who has 20 years experience in programming but only mentions the key words twice might be much further down on a results list than a recent college graduate who has mentioned the key word 20 times with only two years of experience. (**Information blocked out to protect identity of resume owner and employer of record)

15. Employers require computing skill sets and business can’t operate without technology. Being able to use MS Office Suite is NOT enough; note in your resume what other computer skills you’ve mastered or used; don’t forget training in computer software or use of operating systems. Don’t leave anything out ! That one unique, but little known computer skill, might be just what your next boss needs. Examples: PC Operating System, Apple Leopard Operating Systems, Linux Microsoft Office, v 2003 & 2007, Power user: Visio, PowerPoint, GovWin, MS Publisher, Adobe, PageMaker Internet Based Programs: Lexis/Nexis, ELT, MySpace, Internet Browser Programming: Web Design, HTML, SQL, C++ Certifications: MSCE, Security Plus

16. Note key skill words throughout the resumes, but also in a section at the end of your resume. A sample of a ‘Key Word’ section, skills separated by commas, from a resume is illustrated below. Use other key words such as contracts on which you’ve worked, computer software, hardware, and unique or specialized training.

17. Assume most recruiters know what they are seeking in resumes, but may not necessarily be cognizant of acronyms and industry buzz-words or their meanings. If using acronyms in a resume, spell out the words the first time it is used with acronym in parentheses after. Recruiters might query in the resume database on the full name OR the acronym – hedge your bets – use them both. Example:

18. Employers seeking applicants for Security Cleared jobs are very aware how much those clearances are worth to their companies, as well as the job seeker(s). A survey taken in 2007 showed applicants with DoD security clearances between Secret and Top Secret / SCI could earn an additional $10K - $40K annually than those without clearances (factoring in geographic locations). If you are in the military – RUN , don’t walk, to your career counselor to ask what is needed to get into a rate or billet requiring a security clearance. Once you have a clearance, take proper care of that clearance throughout your military career. Your future income depends on monitoring and upkeep of your clearance and it’s mission.

33. SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR JOB BOARDS WHERE YOU MAY POST YOUR RESUME: www.monster.com www.careerbuilder.com www.intelligencecareers.com – for those w/ security clearances www.clearedjobs.net – for those w/ security clearances www.craigslist.com www.engineeringjobs.com www.geekinterview.com www.gofreelance.com www.google.base http://itt.erecruiting.com/experience/home - IT related jobs http://www.thejobspider.com/ http://groups-beta.google.com/group/k-bar-list-companies - sign up to group to post http://moaa.jobcontrolcenter.com/hr/ - Military Officers Associate of America http://www.securityjobs.net/ http://www.techexpousa.com/index2.cfm - Technical Jobs http://www.usjobnetwork.com/ http://www.careeronestop.org/ - State specific Job & Career Assistance (Employment Commissions) http://www.dcareajobs.com/ - jobs in Washington, DC area http://network.womenforhire.com/ - Career Networking For Women http://www.workgiant.com/site/default.aspx http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/riskbizjobs/ - sign up to group to post

34. SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR SOCIAL NETWORK BOARDS WHERE YOU MAY DEVELOP A PROFILE AND NETWORK WITH OTHERS WORLD-WIDE AS WELL AS BEING FOUND BY RECRUITERS AND HEADHUNTERS IN THIS VENUE http ://www.Yellojobs.com – Referral recruitment network http://www.lawlink.com – Online network for attorneys http://www.beaker.com – Online community for Life Sciences http://www.85broads.com – Ultimate career connection for Women http://www.inman.com – Real estate social community http://www.ziggs.com/ http://www.plaxo.com http://naymz.com https://www.xing.com/ www.myspace.com – create a job search account w/ your resume and credentials www.facebook.com – create a job search account w/ your resume and credentials www.classmates.com – create a profile and start networking with old classmates or school connections http://www.ning.com – Create your own social network for anything http://www.meetup.com – Find and meet people with the same interests http://www.gather.com – Publish content and connect with others http://www.linkedin.com – Five star rated networking engine. Joining groups such as “All Invites Accepted” will exponentially increase connections & networks. *Join my 3,000+ LinkedIn Connections by sending an invitation: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnboyer .*

35. ALMA MATERS MATTER: Colleges and Universities: Assists students & alumni for placement, resume writing, & career counseling services. Sororities and Fraternities: Join the Greek network (ex: Beta Sigma Phi, sorority for women simply interested in an international friendship network: http://www.betasigmaphi.org/index.shtm .) Examples of other Trade & Social Networking Organizations may be: Religious Organizations (your local church) Political Organizations (National Republican Party) Humanitarian Organizations (Masons, Shriners, etc.) Trade Specific Organizations (SHRM, AFCEA, ASTD, Old Crows, etc.)