Sunday, March 15, 2020

Resume Format Guide What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2019

Resume Format Guide What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2019At the end of the year, theres often a lot going onpeople trying to hit end of year goals, holiday parties, and general chaos. Chances are, your resume isnt your top priority. But while youre closing out this years goals and getting ready for a fresh start for the next year, its actually the perfect time to sit down and redo your resume. You never know what opportunities might be lurking in the early days of 2019, so the work you put in now will make it easier to pounce on those openings. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Our resume resources will give you the tips and guidance you need to revamp your resumeor create an entirely new one that will get you noticed (for all the right reasons). If the blank screen is intimidating and youre not sure where to start, you can always start with a template from our Resume Library.But first, lets look at some resume theory, and how you shou ld approach the whole process.9 Things to Do Before You Write That ResumeEverything You Need to Know About Writing a ResumeTop 10 Most Common Resume Myths ExposedGrab Recruiters Attention with Your ResumeHow to Solve Your Biggest Resume Problems4 Tips from a facebook inc Hiring Manager4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Sending My Resume to a RecruiterYou may be itching to start writing right away, but taking this pre-resume step of thinking about what you want to include, and why, will make the end product even better.What should your resume look like?Another pre-writing step is choosing the packaging for your resume. Once you submit your resume somewhere, the path is fraught if you lose the attention of the reader or dont have enough keywords youll end up in the no pile very fast. So its essential to think about how your resume looks, and how it can grab attention in seconds.First step the file name. Even before a recruiter or hiring manager opens your resume, theyll see the file namees pecially if youre emailing it directly.Why Your Resumes File anthroponym Matters5 Tips for Creating a Resume FilenameSecond step consider the reader. Your reader could be reviewing your resume on a desktop computer or a tiny smartphone screen. Its important to pick a format that is flexible enough to work for different readers using different devices.What is the Best Format for a Resume?Resume Format Guide What Your Resume Should Look LikeHow to Spin One Resume for Multiple IndustriesThird step organize your info. You dont have to reinvent the wheel there are lots of resources that have baseline templates and guidelines that can get you started.Top 6 Resume Template ResourcesHow to Use Google to Create a Winning ResumeFourth step make it look good. Font may seem like an inconsequential thing when youre putting so much focus on the substance of your resume, but definitely dont forget to pick appropriate fonts.Revamp Your Resume How to Choose FontsWhat should you include (and leave ou t) of a great resume?Once you have the aesthetics settled and some ideas for how to approach your resume, its time to concentrate on the guts of the resume. Heres where it comes back to you your experience, your skills, and your spin.The header of your resume is pretty voreingestellt name, address, phone number, email address. After that, you start setting the tone with an objective or summary statement. The objective section of a resume has become controversial. It used to be a required part of any professional resume, but over time, some feel that it takes up space for little reason. So should you write an objective or not?Heres info that will help you decide whether it works for your resumeShould You Write a Resume Objective?Resume Objectives Receptionist EditionYour resume will need to include a skills section. What skills do you want to feature? Which skills are most relevant to the job for which youre applying?Here are our best tips on crafting your skills sectionHow to Use th e Skills Section on Your Resume13 Skills You Need to Put on Your Resume5 Soft Skills for Your Resume That Will Get You Hired4 Tips to Sneak Soft Skills in Your ResumeThen its time to organize your experience bullet points. In some ways, this is the most crucial section of your resume. This is your chance to highlight your strongest points, but also to spin the less-great things in your career (like employment gaps)6 Ways to Handle Employment Gaps on Your ResumeHow to Explain Employment GapsHow to Explain The Mommy Gap in Your ResumeIf you have a lot of experience, youll also need to do some finessing. How much should you include, or leave out?When To Make a Multiple Page ResumeAnd if you dont yet have a lot of experience, we also have tips for new grads who want to build a resume, but dont yet have years of work experience.14 Resume Strategies for Recent Graduates5 Essential Resume Tips for Recent Graduates7 Resume Mistakes Almost Every New Grad MakesWhat are the biggest mistakes to avoid?To make your resume the best it can be, that means avoiding unforced errors. You have the power to include whatever you want in your resumebut with that power comes the responsibility of understanding what shouldnt be included.Here are some tips on what not to doand how to make your resume as blunder-free as possible5 Things You Should Never Put on Your ResumeHeres the Number One Resume Mistake Youre Making7 Incredibly Bad Resumes That Will Make You Facepalm6 Common Resume Mistakes That Make Recruiters Cringe5 Big Mistakes Googles Head of HR Sees on ResumesTake These Things Off Your Resume ASAPRevamp Your Resume 21 Mistakes to AvoidBuilding a resume for a specific careerIf you already have your job path set and are looking for super-specific resume guidance, we also have a series of walkthroughs tailored for particular industries and careers. These give you sample resumes from people at different levels in a career (usually entry-level, mid-level, and manager-level). Every re sume showcases different skills and experience. These samples can be used to guide your own field-specific resume.How to Build a Great Dental Assistant Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a College Student Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Delivery Driver Resume (with Examples)How to Write a Legal Secretary Resume (with Examples)How to Write a Medical Assistant Resume (with Examples)How to Write a Perfect Administrative Assistant Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Barista Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Caregiver Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Cosmetology Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Customer tafelgeschirr Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Customer Service Resume (with Examples)How to Write a Perfect Human Resources Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Occupational Therapist ResumeHow to Write a Perfect Retail Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Sales Associate Resu me (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Social Worker Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Teaching Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Truck Driver Resume(Examples Included)How to Write a Retail Manager Resume (with Examples)How to Write a Strong Home Health Aide Resume (Examples Included)At this point, we hope you have everything you need to get started with your A+ resume revamp. Once youve gone through the process and have your resume in sparkling shape, we also have some handy checklists for you to do one final pass before sending your resume out into the world.Your 5-Question Resume ChecklistThe Ultimate Resume Checklist PDFDoes Your Resume Pass This Key Checklist?In plus-rechnen to all of this, you can also utilize free resume templates to help get you started on forming a great foundation.Again, we know this is a busy time of year, but if you put in some work now, 2019 You will thank 2018 You

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Heres One Company Where Women Dont Have to Scale Back to Get Flexibility

Heres One Company Where Women Dont Have to Scale Back to Get Flexibility When Devi Rajani joined FTI Consulting nearly a decade ago, she was excited for the new adventure but had no idea just how literally it would prove to be one.Today serving as Managing Director, Devi has had the opportunity to travel far and wide with the global business advisory firm. As partee of FTIs Latin American Restructuring Group (which is based out of Canada), she ventures south of the equator on a regular basis, and says shes truly living her best life because of it.FTI Consulting is Hiring. Browse opportunities.Ive been to nearly a dozen countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Barbados, and even South Africa even though its not part of Latin America, you just never know Devi said. My work is varied, complex, and interesting, and I get to meet many different people and experience lots of different cultures.Of course, her life isnt wholly spent on the road. When shes home, Devi say s that, thanks to the flexibility offered at FTI, she enjoys having the ability to manage her own schedule, and notes that she loves to unwind from a busy, fulfilling day with good food and wine. Recently, she shared with Fairygodboss her main takeaways from her diverting lifestyle as well as the fruchtwein memorable piece of career advice shes received. Check them out belowHow long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?I have been with FTI Consulting for nearly 10 years. I was previously with PwC as an auditor.Whats the first (and/or last) thing you do at work every day?First thing I do is check my emails and determine my priorities for the day.Last thing I do is check my emails again and make sure Ive completed everything Ive needed to do for the dayWhats the most unique or interesting aspect of your job or company?I get to travel to Latin America on a regular basis. Im part of the Latin American Restructuring Group based in Canada. Ive been to ne arly a dozen countries including Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Barbados and even South Africa (even though its not part of Latin America You just never know). My work is varied, complex and interesting and I get to meet many different people and experience lots of different cultures.Whats something youre especially good at at work?Im good at getting a project completed. Im extremely organized, efficient and very good at sharing work across the team Im known for not only delegating to my direct reports but also to my bossesWhat about outside of work?I love to travel, eat well and drink wine, work out (yoga especially) and hang out with my husband and three catsWhat do you love most about your job or your company?I love the flexibility my job provides. While Im on the road, Im more limited on my flexibility, but when Im home I can manage my own schedule and work from wherever I want. Its all about balance. When its extremely busy, I focus on my clients and deliverables, but when it is quiet I can focus on other things outside of work.Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received?Never lie when you have made a mistake. Just own up to the mistake as soon as you realize and be honest. It may be painful at first, but people will appreciate your honesty and accountability. After all, we are all human. This not only applies internally, but also with your clients.What was the best quality of the best boss youve ever had?Intelligence, empathy and practicality. Ive worked with my boss for over 10 years and he has been my sponsor, mentor and coach. --Fairygodboss is proud to partner with FTI Consulting. Find a job there today

Thursday, March 5, 2020

6 Ways to Hire the Best Virtual Employees - Spark Hire

6 Ways to Hire the Best Virtual Employees - Spark HireHiring a virtual employee is just like hiring anyone else except you may never meet them in person. That being the case, you need to be sure they have the skills to do the job and that they will understand your company and get their work done without being in a traditional office. How do you assess all these skills virtually? Here are some of the best tips to hire the virtual employees you need1. Know where to lookWhen youre hiring a virtual employee you can hire from anywhere in the world, so do some research about potential hot spots for the type of talent youre looking for, and target your job postings there.If youre looking for long-term commitments, avoid sites like Freelancer.com or Upwork. While you can find great people there, more often than not, they will be working side jobs and wont be focused on your business. Instead, use more traditional job posting sites, such as Monster.com, Indeed, or LinkedIn. People on those s ites are usually looking for career advancement over a quick buck.Keith Brink, CEO, TwassistantUse traditional job posting sites to source top talent KeithBrinkVirtualEmployeesClick To Tweet2. Use video screeningUsing a webcam for einstellungsgesprching is a must When hiring virtually, you miss a persons facial expressions and professional appearance when on the phone. Even though its a virtual position, you want to know that the person is totenstill polished and professional in the event travel is involved later down the road or they are on a video call with a client. It also shows good judgment when a person is dressed professionally for a webcam interview. They should not be more relaxed just because they are interviewing in their home. If they dont put their best foot forward during the interview process, then when will they? You can tell those who will take the work-from-home position seriously from those who will not.Have more than one webcam interview scheduled on different d ays with two different people conducting the interview. You want to landsee consistency from the candidate during each interview. For example, are they dressed professionally both times? Do they answer questions the same with both people? Were they on time to each interview? Lisa Archetti, PHR, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Manager, AccountingDepartment.com LLCWhen hiring virtually, video screening is the way to go Lisa Archetti of AccountingDeptClick To Tweet3. Get the team involvedOnce youve narrowed down the candidate pool to just a few top contenders, its worthwhile to get input from others especially those with whom the candidate will have close working relationships.Team members then have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a conversationwith candidates to get to know them better. This allows everyone to see how a new hire would fit into the company culture, an important but often overlooked factor to consider.Rick Lepsinger, President, onpoint ConsultingWhy you should include others in hiring decisions tips from lepsingerCompanyCultureClick To Tweet4. Hold a trial runTake the opportunity to plan a trial with each candidate. Maybe for a few hours one day, send them a task or two to complete. Make sure to include a video call meeting so that you can assess their ability to accurately capture your needs and execute them in a quality way.Rachel Cargle, Founder and CEO, The Aide-de-Camp CollectiveREAD 6 Tips You Need to Know to Hire Awesome Virtual EmployeesClick To Tweet5. Test for service skillsI compile a spreadsheet of the top candidates and give them an email from an upset customer to see how they would respond. Even if I am not hiring for customer service I do this. It gives great insight as to how a person treats others, how detail-oriented they are, and much more about their personality.I then take those responses that I like and do interviews. If I am hiring for a client, then I pick the top three, after I interview, and have the client the n talk to them.Sara Wagers, Online Business Strategist, Virtual Biz lebensgefhrteCheck out this creative way to test for service skills during the interview via sarawagersClick To Tweet6. Have a conversationA tip that I feel is underutilized in virtual hiring is just simply having a conversation Yes, its important to ask about job history, education, experience, etc., but thats also why we have resumes. Talking to people about their interests, their values, asking them to explain howthey would resolve virtual conflicts or miscommunication, etc. instigates a much moreconversational flow. It helps to not only identify their qualifications, but gives you a feel for whether they could easily mesh into the company dynamic.Georgette Pascale, President and CEO, Pascale Communications, LLCVirtual hiring is just simply having a conversation PascaleComClick To TweetHow do assess virtual employees? Share your top tips in the comments below

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

How to Stay Productive On Task When Traveling for Work

How to Stay Productive On Task When Traveling for WorkHow to Stay Productive On Task When Traveling for Work Traveling for work is a common part of our corporate culture. In fact, 1.3 million business trips occur each day in the United States alone , and Millennials are platzset to take 20 percent more business trips in the next 12 months . While traveling has its perks (expensed meals, the thrill of a new city and a change of scenery), it can also pose stress on our daily routines and productivity levels with both our work and personal lives. Planning your next work trip? Here are some tips to keep you on top of your game.Tracy Komlos, founder of Pangea Dreams , uses collaborative tools like G-Suite to help zu sich stay organized and connected with her team while on the fly. Apps like HubDoc help her stay on top of her receipts and expenses while traveling so she doesnt lose track of her finances.Komlos recommends certain paid tools such as Streak to help s chedule and follow up with emails and clients. She also uses a productivity planner which helps her stay accountable and gives her a productivity score of the day.GoodNote is another great tool that allows you to travel with your digital briefcase while leaving all your paperwork at home.Komlos suggests outsourcing help when you can. Hiring contractors or virtual assistants is one way she outsources the work she needs doneto run her business.If you have active engagements happening at home, make arrangements to have those taken care of while youre away so your mind can focus on the task at hand while traveling.When you have unexpected breaks in your travel schedule, whether its between flights or on the beach, use this time to do low-energy tasks rather than sitting on Facebook. For example, catching up on readings, editing photos or answering emails and other administrative tasks. These 20-30 minutes during the day can save you tons of time down the line.Make a list of things yo u know you need to do before you leave, and make those your priority. Creating a detailed checklist of everything you need to do before you leave, and everything that needs to be done while away, will help you feel in control. Since most of our to-dos have become tech-dependent, always plan to stay in a place with a strong Wi-Fi signal.Keep a gratitude journal and make the effort to stay consistent. Books like The 5 Minute Journal can help you mentally prepare for each day.Give yourself enough time to sleep and recharge, and honor when youre feeling like you need a break. Self-care is paramount when juggling your busy lifeIf you wake up early at home, dont use this work travel trip as an excuse to sleep in leave that for the weekend Set boundaries around time-on versus time-off when at work, and do your best to honor them.Get yourself in the habit of waking up early and getting the heavy lifting out of the way. This will give you more hours to get things done and boost your spee d throughout the day.Try to avoid buffet breakfasts, or buffet anything for that matter, while away. Watch your consumption of alcohol as well. Unhealthy eating and drinking makes you tired, and can hinder your sense of disciplineIf youre trying to squeeze in workouts, morning times are your best bet. The longer you wait in the day to hit the gym, the easier it becomes for you to blow it off. If youre not feeling the gym, take advantage of your new travel surroundings, get outdoors and explore the new city youre inThe most important part of staying productive while traveling for work, whether it comes to your personal or professional life, is managing your schedule by planning ahead, and staying disciplined. Find a strategy that works for you, and hold yourself accountable. As the saying goes, failing to plan is planning to failStacy Pollack is a Learning Specialist with an MA in Educational Technology. She is passionate about building leadership programs that engage and contribut e to the success of her organization. She loves to share her perspective on workplace development, human resources, career building, and networking for success. Connect with her on LinkedIn , Twitter , or at www.stacypollack.com

Friday, December 27, 2019

Top 10 Space Missions Set to Explore New Frontiers

Top 10 Space Missions Set to Explore New Frontiers Top 10 Space Missions Set to Explore New Frontiers Top 10 Space Missions Set to Explore New Frontiers, Part 1In the good old days, menschenwrdig space flight ruled. But robotic space missions have taken over, and advanced technology is helping us find new planets, better understand our universe, and discover clues to extraterrestrial life.Jeffrey Hoffman, former U.S. astronaut and MIT professor, misses the good old days. When I was flying in space, we were putting 40 astronauts a year, now we are putting four, he laments. Those astronauts are primarily dispatched to the International Space Station for maintenance and scientific research. But Hoffman realizes new technologies enable great advances, including NASAs human landing on roter planet scheduled for some time in the 2030s. The private sector will also play a key role in spaceflight, especially with contributions from companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, whic h are all striving to introduce new efficiencies and reduce overall costs to the industry. NASAs Mars InSight Lander successfully launched Saturday, May 5, aboard the United Launch Alliance Atlas rocket from Vandenberg Air force Base in southern California on a6-month, 300-million-mile journey to study what lies beneath the surface of the red planet. InSight is scheduled to land on Mars on Nov. 26, 2018,where it will collect data on marsquakes, heat flow, how the planet wobbles, and other information that will help scientists gain a better understanding of the formation and evolution of rocky planets. InSight (short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is the first mission to probe the Martian surface. The operations are scheduled to end on Nov. 24, 2020. Ahandful of other exciting research missions will help us better understand the universe, making human landings on planets safer, and feeding the publics hunger to explore the final fro ntier. Here are some of the top current and planned missions from NASA, ESA, and others.Mars is intricate and complex, and it doesnt have just one surface. Its worthwhile studying Mars. Prof. Eric Ford, Penn State1.) TESS TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) launched on April 23. Also called the Planet Hunter, Tess will observe the nearest, brightest stars and possibly discover thousands of exoplanets, from small rocky worlds to giant planets. Many scientists consider TESS the most important launch in years, and itll play a big role in studying the atmosphere and other characteristics of planets. One of its major goals is to discover planets transiting stars, which could otherwise be tough to spot, says Eric Feigelson, a professor of astronomy and physics at Penn State University.TESS will monitor the brightness of 200,000 stars. When those stars dim, it could be due to an orbiting planet, which could lead to the discovery of a new planet. TESS has a wider sortiment than it s predecessor, Kepler, which discovered 2,343 exoplanets 30 of those were Earth-sized planets within a habitable zone of a star.TESS will also identify promising candidates for detailed follow-up by other powerful telescopes like Hubble and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope to better understand these planets atmospheres, says Natalia Guerrero, TESS researcher at MIT.For You The History of the Apollo Space Suit 2.) James Webb Space Telescope The JWST is scheduled to launch in 2020. A higher-tech and mora durable version of its predecessor, Hubble, the JWST will sit 1.5 million kilometers from Earth to provide a deep eye in space, compared to Hubbles orbit of 570 kilometers from Earths surface. The infrared telescope also has more advanced optics, the better to see deeper into new galaxies. NASA will use it to study how galaxies and stars form. A key to analyzing such details is the JWSTs spectrograph, which can provide insight into physical properties of objects in space.The JW ST project, costing close to $500 million, is one of the most significant in space research history, Feigelson says. Its cool to discover new planets, but its just as important to understand the science of the universe, like planet mass and measuring distance between objects or between a moon and a planet, he says.3.) OSIRIS-REx This groundbreaking NASA mission has a simple objective of bringing an asteroid sample back to Earth, something that has never been done. The craft is traveling to an asteroid called Bennu, which is believed to contain elements of our solar systems history. OSIRIS-REx will return sometime in the 2020s. Others are also eager to mine the rich resources that may be found on asteroids. Planetary Resources, a private company, plans to launch a spacecraft, Arkyd 301, in 2020 to remotely conduct surface analysis of asteroids.4.) Mars 2020 Rover The Mars 2020 Rover mission is a step to prepare the planet for human exploration. Its scheduled to take off in July or Au gust, when the planet will be in a good position for NASA to land a robotic mission.The missions centerpiece will be the Rover vehicle, which will conduct surface and environmental analysis, check for water, and perform other tasks like extracting oxygen from the 96 percent carbon atmosphere, which is key in preparation for human exploration. The car-sized Rover is 3 meters long, 2.7 meters wide, and 2.2 meters tall, and at 1,050 kilograms is lighter than a compact car. Rover has 23 cameras and sensors to study the characteristics of Mars, as well as antennas that can send information to Earth in five to 20 minutes. Its fueled by the heat of plutonium radioactive decay.Mars is intricate and complex, and it doesnt have just one surface, says Eric Ford, a professor for astrophysics at Penn State. Its worthwhile studying Mars. 5.) ISS The U.S. will end support for the International Space Station in 2024, and its future is uncertain. Today, its the only manned mission in space, says MIT s Hoffman.NASA would love to attract more commercial uses of the space station, or have a commercial entity take over, he says. It could be used to train astronauts, since its better to have people in lower orbit than on the moon, he says.Sending astronauts to ISS has several benefits. One goal is to test the health of astronauts staying in space for long periods, sometimes more than six months. Half of ISS is dedicated to space exploration, and the other half to scientific activities. Maintaining ISS, however, is very expensive.Read Part 2 of Top 10 Space Missions Set to Explore New Frontiers to discover more about important space missions.Agam Shah is an associate editor at Mechanical Engineering magazine. You can email him at ShahAasme.org, or follow him on Twitter at agamsh.For Further Discussion

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Women Are Saying Goodbye

Women Are Saying Goodbye Women Are Saying Goodbye Could these departing women as executive employees merely be the canary in the coal mine? Could these departures also signal future purchasing departures from women who only want to spend dollars with companies and organizations who dont act like jerks?Something to think about. Add Millennials and even a portion of the 99%ers to the women with values population and this could signal a sea change to come.This is a bit of a problem. Harvard economist Claudia Goldin, a leading reesearcher in the field, has argued thatwomens increased involvement in the economy welches the most significant change in labor markets during the past century.Your first thought might be to place part of the blame on the wage gap, and youd be dead right. Many economists and financial analysts are speculating that the reason professional women, particularly those at an executive level are leaving because their salaries have become pocket moneyRecent data indica tes that since the last recession, which saw a re-entry of women into the workforce as husbands were laid off, well-educated women are starting to exit the workforce again in a larger trend seen over the past 20 years. The reason may have to do with the faster-growing salaries of men versus women.The picture this economy paints today is reminiscient of the WW2 workers who filled in the gaps when the male workforce was away, only in our more recent case, women picked up the slack when men were laid off. But the similarities continuedDuring our mini recession women could be and were paid less, making them an attractive alternative.Now that the economy is showing signs of recovery, the pay gap is once again widening and women are leaving the workforce (the men are back).Often times, entire paychecks are going to care for children.But there are other voices, who while acknowledging the cyclical pattern of women leaving the workforce and the rightfully outrageous pay discrepancies that e xist at even the highest echelons of corporations, who say that while women may be leaving the workforce at the highest numbers in decades, they may be carving out different kinds of employment for themselves and their families, and leading one of the biggest workforce shifts in our industrialized history.Anecdotally, Id say there is an underground sea change afoot. Everywhere I look, women are starting microbusinessesselling jewelry or T-shirts on Etsy.com, becoming personal trainers, freelance writing and editing, offering birth support as doulas, massaging clients in their homes. Legally, or not-so-legally, women are increasingly working 10-40 hours a week outside the traditional workforce modelin addition to raising their children. Are the statistics tracking this? At least for the cash-economy jobs, almost certainly not.One fascinating study has found this may be a personal choice by women to deny any discrimination they MAY face. Essentially, walking away when their market val ue is the highest to avoid seeing the unfair paychecks and bungled promotions.But for smart recruiters, HR Practitioners and organizations looking to keep this educated and experienced workforce in play, ideas abound, including the ever popular job sharing options, work flex time, smaller commutes, subsidized childcare and more options for working mothers.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Harnessing the Power of Semantic Search

Harnessing the Power of Semantic SearchHarnessing the Power of Semantic SearchHarnessing the Power of Semantic Search RosshiemMany have called semantic search the future of resume search technology.But what exactly is semantic search?Imagine search engines that dont get hung up on the particular words that you and your perfect candidates use to describe a given profession. Instead, semantic search interprets the meaning behind the words and concepts.If that simple concept still sounds murky, theres good news to reap the benefits of semantic search, you dont need to know how it works.Heres a glimpse behind the curtain of semantic search that will help inform your use of it.The Power of More Accurate SearchBasically, semantic search gets down to the meaning of words the terms of your query and the prose in the resume database to separate the wheat from the chaff much more effectively than conventional search.Maybe the most surprising aspect of semantic search is that it lets you desc ribe who youre looking for, almost as if you were speaking with a networking contact who knew all the top candidates out there.Semantic search incorporates context toaddressa lot of language pitfalls in resumes. For example, Power Resume Search resolves misspellings, abbreviations (standard and otherwise) and synonyms and variations in terms.For example, SOX, Sarbanes-Oxley and Sarbox are all understood to refer to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.Recruiters find that its more effective to search on specific, hard skills, like C programming, than on soft skills like kollektiv player. Those all-important soft skills are best evaluated by hiring managers and HR professionals in personal interactions.Finds Candidates on their own TermsSemantic search is necessary precisely because human language is so full of variations. Ituses webs of related terms and their meanings to uncover resumes that use words closely related to your search terms. So, for example, when a recruiter or hiring manag er runs a search on programmer, the results may also include jobs titled software engineer and developer, since they are potential synonyms.Skills and traits are then weighted in semantic search to produce optimal ranking of results. Power Resume Search gives more weight to a candidates experience thats more recent, for example.Even in the current buyers labor market, perfect candidates are often elusive. Thus Power Resume Search lets recruiters designate each desired skill as either required or nice to have.Using Technology to Meld Information To match your search query with the best candidates, semantic search combines advanced analytics with real-world knowledge of occupations in many industries.For each resume, the technology extracts concepts and tags sections. Theinformation in the resume is analyzed and summarized to produce a conceptual portrait of the candidate.subject-matter experts encode knowledge from many professional fields to find all the ways of referring to that co ncept, and determine where the concept fits in the semantic space of industries and occupations.Heres one such example because advertising is a form of absatzwirtschaft communications, a resume with advertising copywriter in its Job Experience section can be presumed to belong to a candidate who has some marketing experience.Without the right technology, making all of this come together is exceptionally difficult and fraught with problems.For instance, parsing errors can cause some words to be misinterpreted because their context is misconstrued. If a CPAs resume states that she is marketing herself as a forensic accountant, the resume search engine should not classify her as a marketing professional. Sophisticated semantic search will analyze where in the resume marketing appears and interpret the word in that context.Will Semantic Search Reshape Recruiting?Who needs professional recruiters when semantic search is available? Most employers who have been using recruiters will find t hat these human experts will remain essential to the sourcing, recruiting and hiring cycles.Armed with semantic search in their tool belts, recruiters can focus on developing relationships with clients and candidatesand find the right candidate with greater efficiency.