Did you say “Resume Keywords”?
Stop thinking about landing the job of your dreams and start writing a resume that will get you there! When applying for a job, consider the strong competition in the job market, and make sure your resume stands out. Isn’t it awesome to make a great first impression and feel like you already got the job after a successful interview? When it comes to resume writing, a lot of people don’t understand how resume keywords affect their overall resume and how important they are to get noticed by employers.
Resume Keywords
Anyone looking for a job needs to incorporate the right keywords in their resume. Specific resume keywords call attention to your attributes and skills, thus making you seem like the right choice for the job title you’re applying for. However, a lot of people ask themselves: how can a simple keyword make a difference in my resume? Well, for starters, a lot of employers use special tracking software that search for specific keywords in a resume; this means that an employer won’t read your resume if it doesn’t have the right keywords in it. In fact, did you know that 70 percent or more of sent resumes will not be seen by an actual human being?
This may seem harsh, but since there are so many resumes being sent to employers, using this method is important to increase company efficiency. If you truly want to have a chance at landing the job, then you certainly need to learn which keywords employers look for. Luckily, this article will help you plan the perfect resume keyword strategy.
Talk the talk
Unfortunately, the fate of your resume will be determined by a computer most of the times. The computer is responsible for deciding which resumes end up in the trash and which will be seen by the employer. The first step to outsmarting the computer is to use common industry keywords. Each industry has its own lingo, so if you find out which words are commonly used in that specific industry, you have an opportunity to get past the computer and into the recruiter’s hands.
Honesty is the best policy
When writing your resume, your first goal should be to get past the keyword-checking software, but your ultimate goal should be getting hired. However, in the effort to get past the keyword-checking software, a lot of people resort to using resume keywords that don’t apply to their skills. Lying will not give you an advantage at all, because even if you are hired under false pretenses, not knowing how to perform your job will get you fired.
Use popular resume keywords to your advantage
Now that you understand why it’s so important that you have your resume keywords on point, learn which ones will spark more interest among recruiters and help you stand out from your competition. Some of the most popular resume keywords that are searched for include the following: network, networking, iPhone, marketing, Android, iOS and experience.
Keyword phrases are important too
If resume keywords are important, know that keyword phrases are crucial. The computer will look for keywords first, but once it checks for those, it will also check for keyword phrases. To ensure your resume gets scanned properly, write keyword phrases similar to this one: I have 5 years of experience in the legal industry.
Don’t forget the academics
Add academic keywords and details to differentiate your resume from other potential job candidates. Always add your degrees, your majors, minors, any academic awards you have and all your main or relevant achievements.
Highlight your talents
What are you really good at? What kind of skills and talents do you possess that can bring something unique to the company? Impress your potential employer by showing him what you’re passionate about and have thorough knowledge of. Your goal is to sell your services to the organization and push past the competition.