Resume Spam: "What is it?"

ATLANTA, GA - Quick post on a Friday afternoon.  I have my watch's countdown timer set to ten minutes, and I am logging off when it gets to zero to go do something more productive.  Bartender!

I am working on two major searches right now:  A VP of Marketing search for a multichannel retailer based in the mid-west, and a VP of Ecommerce search for a northeastern two-channel retailer (catalog / online).  I am in the early stages of both searches, and I have been reviewing resumes all day.  I'm wiped.

Though my eyes are completely glazed over, here's what I am starting to see from more and more candidates:  Keyword spam.

What is Keyword Spam?

Keyword spam is a long string of words at the end of a resume put there by the job-seeker in the hopes of improving his chances that a recruiting researcher will find it in a given resume database.  For example, here are the keywords at the bottom of a resume I just dredged up ...

RESUME KEYWORDS: online, on-line, interactive, ecommerce, e-commerce, ebusiness, e-business, marketing, internet, web, executive, COO, CEO, CMO, Chief Marketing Officer, CIO, EVP, SVP, Senior Vice President, VP, President, GM, Managing Director, multichannel, multi-channel, retail, retailer, etailer, e-tail, e-tailer, online retailer, product, product management, brand management, online marketing, SEO, search engine optimization, SEM, search engine marketing, paid search, affiliate marketing, email marketing, merchandising, merchandise, catalog, cataloger, direct marketing, direct marketer, six sigma, 6-sigma, business-to-business, B2B, B2C, business to consumer, CRM, education, content, strategy, business process, public relations, media, French, international, multinational, apparel, clothing, fashion, jewelry, accessories, luxury, designer, branding, finance, bank, banking, home furnishings, private sector, not for profit, nonprofit, non-profit, environment, new media, entertainment, vision, leader, innovate, innovative, innovator.

You can't be all things to all recruiters.

Am I to believe that this candidate is qualified for both B2B and B2C C-level positions?  I mean, "6-sigma .. education .. apparel .. luxury .. bank .. home furnishings .. not for profit .. entertainment?"  I doubt it.

And that's my point.

Even if it were true, it's unbelievable.  Candidates, it is always better to have a small, provable circle of competence that's sharply defined around the edges than one that's big and fuzzy.  Specialize!  Dominate!

As a marketing recruiter, I'm starting to think like Google:  If I suspect that you are keyword loading your resume in a superficial way that diminishes [my] user experience, I am going to penalize you by moving you down in my [candidate] rankings.

That does not mean that you won't be considered for my searches.  But it does mean that during our interviews, I am going to drill you pretty hard about each of these areas of expertise.  Furthermore, I will instruct any technical consultants I'm using to screen candidates to do the same.  So bring your "A-game."
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Comments

[eric conrad]

Yes I agree with you. Some job applicants use keyword tagging wrongly. Im not sure if those site that offers online resume (free or paid) will start implementing rule that will penalize those individuals overtagging or using keywords on the wrong category.

My personal tips is a job applicants must use a keyword or tags correctly if they are creating online resume. The benefit is you will have the advantage over other applicant. Some people ive known have benefit a lot on this book. check it out: http://tinyurl.com/2tvdth

By the way, have you heard about the video resume? Its hot right now. Im not saying this will replace the traditional way of writing a great resume but i find this beneficial for people seeking job overseas.

Heres the definition a video resume: A video resume is a short video created by a candidate for employment and uploaded to the Internet for prospective employers to review. The video resume describes the individual’s skills and experience and is is typically used to supplement a paper resume.

A video resume can be created by a professional or you can create your own.

My personal tips: It is important to use an appropriate introduction and closing for the recording. Your introduction should be short and sweet, explaining who you are and the purpose and format for the online video. Your closing should provide a very specific next step for the employer to follow in making direct contact with you. Always include your written resume folded and attached to the recording. I think thats it!

Take a look at this website. Check it out.

http://videoresume.friendswinonline.info - this website provide a means for users to incorporate video resumes into their profiles.

I hope you find it beneficial! Good Day! =)

[Eric]

You would not believe the calls I get every week from headhunters who have no idea what they are looking for nor have they done any prequalifying before wasting my time.

I got a call this week from somebody who is looking to fill a mid-level sales role at (a former employer of mine) A company that I used to work
for, and in a position more senior than the one they called me about.

When I mentioned this, they were surprised.

If some of this keyword stuff puts my resume into a basket that Im actually interested in being in, then so be it.

Eric

[Paul Rubillo]

Harry, getting plenty of these in the position I posted. I agree, less will be more again!