Keywords & key phrases matter
Have you ever wondered about keywords or key phrases on resumes or social media like LinkedIn? In short, they’re words or groups of words. And they make it easier for a recruiter or employer to find you. But how do you use them? And what else do you need to know?
In this day of automation, you need to include keywords or keyword phrases on resumes to be found. If not, an automated resume screener won’t select your resume as a potential match. No matter how wonderful or talented you are. It’s that simple.
And human resume screeners also have those words in mind when searching through (often just a quick glance) dozens and dozens of resumes, trying to find ones that match what they’ve been asked to find. Since many screeners are not programmers (or whatever specialty you have), you have to make it easy for them to find you.
You need to be specific
If you’re a Web Developer, for example, and you don’t specifically mention you know JavaScript (although they list it in the job description), you might be overlooked completely. Especially if your experience is a little light, and you’re trying to get the interview anyway.
This is true even if you think knowing JavaScript is obvious in your field. Don’t assume. The automated program never assumes. And the same is true for social media searches. Recruiters scouring the internet for likely candidates also rely on keywords and phrases.
Keywords & phrases in resumes
Well, if they do spot your specialized skills (Javascript in this case), even with only light-to-moderate experience you might be called in. Depends on how many other resumes they get. And how strong they are. Also good to show a strong related accomplishment if possible, and highlight it in your cover letter to help solidify the picture.
Your resume still needs to be more than a bunch of keywords since it gets seen by human eyes down the road. Resumes hyper-loaded with keywords can look bogus, so be careful that it’s all legit and helps build a picture of you and your strengths. Keyword phrases on resumes that don’t fit as part of a whole package (you) won’t get you through that second human screening.
To make it through at least the first hurdle, figure out which keywords or phrases will best serve you. And make sure you add them with all instances of strong, related accomplishments. Again, let the job description guide you.
Often the person who wrote the description provides the HR systems people with the keywords and phrases. And for social media, check descriptions of jobs you’d love for helpful keyword clues.
If you want to suggest changes to this or any other definition in our career dictionary, feel free to add your suggestions in a comment.
More posts to help
10 Resume Writing Tips for Stronger Resumes!
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes and Cover Letters
How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?
What Is a Targeted Resume or Cover Letter?
10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job
What Is a Resume Screener?
What are Automated Resume Screeners?
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