December 25, 2008

Optimize Your Resume with Keywords

Imagine if there was a way to encode your resume with magical words that would virtually ensure that recruiters and employers would be interested in interviewing you. There is a way. It's called Keyword. So, what are Keywords? Think of keywords as the jargon or "buzzwords" used in a profession or industry. It's how insiders describe themselves and others in their profession.


Keywords are the nouns and noun phrases used by recruiters searching through resume databases and Web job sites for resumes meeting the requirements on job descriptions.

You can optimize your resume by including many of these keywords in your resume. But here's the catch. There's a different set of keywords for every job, and you do not know which ones are used.

Think of the education and experience you have had and the job you want, and brainstorm the nouns and noun phrases that would be used in the description of the requirements of that job. Look through the job postings you find for the skills, experience, professional certifications or organizaitons, etc. That will tell you what keywords will be used. Pay attention to certain words will reappear consistently. Those are your "key" words. Some sites that host the job posting list keywords pertaining to the position. You should also get a copy of the job description for the job you want, and pick out the noun and noun phrases used. As appropriate add those words and phrases to your resume when you apply for that job. Older job seekers should list "computer" or "IT" skills on their resumes if they have these skills, because some employers may make an assumption that older applicants are not as tech savvy as their younger counterparts.

Although many keywords are industry specific certain phrases are important to almost all companies. They include "communication skills," "problem-solving," "team work," "leadership," "resource optimization," "image and reputation management", "trouble shooting", "problem solving".

As important as keywords are for getting noticed, littering your resume with buzzwords that don't accurately reflect your experience may work against you. Don't go overboard!

For a list of action verbs and keywords click here. Be sure to check out Monster's comprehensive list called "The Top Keywords Recruiters Use to Find You".

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