Stand Out Online to Land the Job

Stand Out Online to Land the Job Stand Out Online to Land the JobBy Denene Brox, for Yahoo HotJobsAs a job seeker in the electronic age, its important to be savvy when it comes to verbunden tools that will help you land your next job.Online and traditional off-line resumes share some similarities. Both serve to show potential employers why you are the best candidate for the job.The content of online and offline resumes is basically the same, says Hannah Seligson, author of New Girl on the Job Advice from the Trenches. But its even more important that your online resume stand out. With an online resume, you are dealing with a critical mass, as opposed to an offline resume that is usually handed to a personal contact.So what can you do to ensure that your online resume will impress employers? Here are some dos and donts for creating a winning online resume.Do Make Your Online Resume Keyword-RichMeg Montford, of the career coaching firm Abilities Enhanced, says that keywords are vital f or online resumes. Montford suggests searching through industry job postingsto find common terms, and make sure those words are in your resume. Montford also advises job seekers to spell out acronyms to increase hits to your resume.Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World, agrees. Since a computer will be scanning your resume before a human being ever sees it, you need to speak in a language a computer can understand, she says.Dont EmbellishJust because youre posting a resume online doesnt mean its OK to embellish your qualifications.Dont overinflate what youve done, cautions Seligson. Theres a funny scenario where a vice president of the company, who is doing the hiring for an entry-level position, reads the job applicants resume and says (sarcastically), Wow, sounds like youve already had my job. It doesnt seem like you need to start at entry-level. Its better to say less and have it accurately reflect what you did in previous jobs than to overinflate -- something most hiring managers can see right through.Do Be PositiveMany disgruntled employees have been fired for airing their frustrations about their jobs online for the entire world to read. Montford warns that its important bedrngnis to accumulate digital dirt that could cost you your current and future jobs. Keep your online identity positive, Montford says. Recruiters and companies go to the Web first to screen candidates, so its vital to have a positive presence.Dont Overlook the Power of the Web to Sell YourselfThere are numerous options available on the Internet for promoting yourself to employers. Dont overlook blogs and your own resume Web site as unique ways to reach out to potential employers.Every job seeker should have a blog and a keyword-rich resume on their own Web site, says Montford. You can blog about your industry and comment on articles and issues related to your field. Just remember to keep your comments positive.Do Be Cau tiousFinally, realize that your current employer could be privy to your job search when using online resumes. Keeping a low online profile while employed may be your safest bet.