Step #7: Beat the System- A computer often is your first interview barrier

Inevitably, this is relatively new. The reason that all those big firms require that you enter prior work data into specified sections on their website isn’t because they want to waste your time (or I hope that is not the case) but because they are using advanced queries and data base algorithms to figure out which applications should be reviewed by a person. Full disclosure, I have NO firsthand experience on this matter, but I’ve heard enough stories and applied enough reason to be confident that this is often true. Think about it- all those resumes come in, how do you sort them? You sort by KEY WORDS. Which key words? The ones listed under “required skills and experience” in the job advertisement!

Here’s an example of what not to do. I’ll use industry lingo that I am familiar with to make my point. The position calls for a Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) Analyst. Now, Continuity of Operations Planning is synonymous with Business Continuity Planning (BCP) (one is an industry term used for the federal sector and one for the private sector). If I am applying for a job that specifically uses the term COOP, not BCP, throughout the job advertisement, then I should change my resume to reflect COOP as much as possible. Why? Because a computer, or “first round” reviewer is the one who will choose whether to invite me for an interviewer or look at my application a little closer. This first rounder reviewer, or recruiter probably recruits for hundreds of positions with different specialties within the company. He or she might have no idea that COOP and BCP are the same! Don’t expect her to do a little industry research, just make it easy. If she sees you have COOP experience throughout the resume, or if the computer finds those matched key words, you are going to score higher. It’s a fact.

Applying for jobs on www.usajobs.com or other government agencies? Then you know all about the KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) section. I’m amazed that there exist firms that will write your KSA for you….but I suggested, based on friends’ success, following this equation: USE THE SAME TERMS AS THE KSA in your response! Repeat the KSA. Make the first line of your essay taking the question of the KSA and turning it into a sentence. Make the last sentence something like “this is why I have the XXX required in this KSA.” Yes, your essay must make sense, but apparently don’t worry about reusing the same words…REUSE THE SAME WORDS. It is a numbers game. Don’t use synonyms, use the key terms.

Moral of the Story: Use the system to your advantage!