Keywords are important to modern job seekers for two reasons: (1) to help successfully navigate through the technology involved in today’s job search processes, and (2) the use of appropriate keywords in a job seeker’s resume and cover letter will show that he/she is knowledgeable and in tune with the industry and field. It helps confirm fit and knowledge.
Keywords are frequently used in applicant tracking systems to help conduct an initial screen of resumes that will then be reviewed by a person. Without the right keywords, your resume won’t be selected!
To be sure you are effectively integrating keywords into a resume, pull 2-3 target job postings to identity common keywords that should be used in your own resume. Next, use a free online word cloud generator (such as www.wordle.net) for a visual representation of which words are used most frequently in your resume. Try to integrate all of the target job postings’ common keywords in your own resume for the best chance of being selected as someone potential employers would like to interview.
If you’re unsure of the best way to incorporate keywords into your resume, Laurie is an expert resume writer who incorporates all of the most effective techniques to produce cutting-edge resumes for clients. Feel free to reach out to her to see how she can help your resume stand out from those of other applicants.