Job seekers, do you
realize that by using the right keywords in your resume…you can increase
your chances of getting a job interview? Conversely, if you fail to
use pertinent keywords in your resume, your resume could go unnoticed by
potential employers. Why are resume keywords so important? Because
recruiters today rely upon the applicant tracking system (ATS) to track
and identify resumes that contain keywords that best match the skills, qualifications, and
job knowledge of a position they are seeking to fill. Modern technology
allows recruiters to scan through hundreds of resumes in a matter of
seconds to select the resumes of qualified applicants. And recruiters in
smaller companies manually sift through resumes looking for pertinent
keywords as well. Not only should you tailor your resume to correspond
with the job you are targeting, but you should also highlight your core
competencies also. By including the right keywords in your resume, an
interested employer could ultimately contact you for an interview.
Landing an interview puts you one step closer to getting the job. Get
noticed by employers; start using the right keywords in your resume!
Read on to learn how to easily incorporate relevant keywords in your
resume.
Check out keywords in the job ad
First, you should carefully scrutinize the ad for the job you’re interested in applying to. You will need to make a list of keywords listed in the ad so that you can incorporate them into your resume, including the job title. You should also view other similar job ads on job boards to locate keywords as well. This will give you a general idea as to which words artificial intelligence will identify when searching for resumes. You will find that other employers will list the same terms in its job ad for the job your applying to. So pay particular attention to these words. Identify which words are most frequently used in the ads. Words most frequently used are the keywords. You basically want to speak the same job language in your resume as employers. However, don’t waste an employer’s time by adding keywords in your resume that you cannot account for.
Make a list of your core competencies
You should make a list of your skills and accomplishments, or if you already have your resume completed, compare these to the employer’s ad for similarities. If you find that you have little or no similar terms, you will need to jot down these keywords so that you can include them when composing your resume or updating an existing one.
Make a list of your hard skills
Employers will list hard skills that are necessary to effectively perform the job and are a requirement for job. Your hard skills would be your tangible skills and are industry-specific terms. Examples of hard skills are computer operator, accountant, secretary, software, hardware, job titles, degrees, certifications, and so on… What are your hard skills? Do they match the hard skills listed in the job ad? You will need to use the employer’s list of hard skill keywords in your resume.
Make a list of your soft skills
Employers will also list soft skills that are a necessary requirement for the job as well. Your soft skills are intangible and are your interpersonal skills. These are general keywords that relate to your hard skills. Examples of soft skills are decision maker, coach, motivator, leader, communication skills, organizational skills, conflict resolution skills, critical thinking, and so on… What are your soft skills? What soft skills does the employer list as requirements in the ad? You will need to use these terms in your resume.
Use action verbs
You should use action verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments. High-power actions words will also strengthen the content and the overall structure of your resume. Some sample action words are maintained, increased, managed, supervised, trained, and organized. Your action words should precede your skills and accomplishments. Some examples are; increased sales by 20 percent, supervised payroll clerks, managed workflow, trained new hires, organized file system, maintained employee records. Note: if you are currently using certain skills at your employer, you would use action words to describe them in present tense such as, organize file system, manage workflow, and so on…
Composing your resume
Now that you know which keywords to use in your resume based upon the job ad, have made a list of your skills and accomplishments, hard skill, and soft skills---you are ready to compose your resume or critique your current resume. With out exaggerating, add keywords in your resume that pertain to the job you are interested in. Have an expert proofread your resume before you submit it to employers.
Concluding, you should use this method for any job that you wish to apply to and you will increase your chances of getting your foot in the door of a reputable company for a job interview. But Keep in mind though, a well-composed resume may land you an interview, but you must put forth your best to convince the recruiter that you are the best candidate for the job!
First, you should carefully scrutinize the ad for the job you’re interested in applying to. You will need to make a list of keywords listed in the ad so that you can incorporate them into your resume, including the job title. You should also view other similar job ads on job boards to locate keywords as well. This will give you a general idea as to which words artificial intelligence will identify when searching for resumes. You will find that other employers will list the same terms in its job ad for the job your applying to. So pay particular attention to these words. Identify which words are most frequently used in the ads. Words most frequently used are the keywords. You basically want to speak the same job language in your resume as employers. However, don’t waste an employer’s time by adding keywords in your resume that you cannot account for.
Make a list of your core competencies
You should make a list of your skills and accomplishments, or if you already have your resume completed, compare these to the employer’s ad for similarities. If you find that you have little or no similar terms, you will need to jot down these keywords so that you can include them when composing your resume or updating an existing one.
Make a list of your hard skills
Employers will list hard skills that are necessary to effectively perform the job and are a requirement for job. Your hard skills would be your tangible skills and are industry-specific terms. Examples of hard skills are computer operator, accountant, secretary, software, hardware, job titles, degrees, certifications, and so on… What are your hard skills? Do they match the hard skills listed in the job ad? You will need to use the employer’s list of hard skill keywords in your resume.
Make a list of your soft skills
Employers will also list soft skills that are a necessary requirement for the job as well. Your soft skills are intangible and are your interpersonal skills. These are general keywords that relate to your hard skills. Examples of soft skills are decision maker, coach, motivator, leader, communication skills, organizational skills, conflict resolution skills, critical thinking, and so on… What are your soft skills? What soft skills does the employer list as requirements in the ad? You will need to use these terms in your resume.
Use action verbs
You should use action verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments. High-power actions words will also strengthen the content and the overall structure of your resume. Some sample action words are maintained, increased, managed, supervised, trained, and organized. Your action words should precede your skills and accomplishments. Some examples are; increased sales by 20 percent, supervised payroll clerks, managed workflow, trained new hires, organized file system, maintained employee records. Note: if you are currently using certain skills at your employer, you would use action words to describe them in present tense such as, organize file system, manage workflow, and so on…
Composing your resume
Now that you know which keywords to use in your resume based upon the job ad, have made a list of your skills and accomplishments, hard skill, and soft skills---you are ready to compose your resume or critique your current resume. With out exaggerating, add keywords in your resume that pertain to the job you are interested in. Have an expert proofread your resume before you submit it to employers.
Concluding, you should use this method for any job that you wish to apply to and you will increase your chances of getting your foot in the door of a reputable company for a job interview. But Keep in mind though, a well-composed resume may land you an interview, but you must put forth your best to convince the recruiter that you are the best candidate for the job!
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