How to find the best keywords for your resume

Resume keywords are the magic ingredient that helps your resume score higher on the ATS. Add the right keywords to your resume, and you will find yourself swamped with calls for interviews. Here is everything you need to know about resume keywords:

What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are the specific words, terms, or phrases associated with a particular job, sector, or industry. They can be action verbs or nouns that describe your experience and skills. Some resume keyword phrases describe your characteristics. Customer relations, fundraising, attention to detail, project management, and negotiation are some resume keywords.

Can you skip using keywords for your resume?

No, you cannot. You must always add the right keywords to your resume to be considered a worthy candidate for the position. If you have not written a resume for a while, you may not understand why candidates get rejected due to the lack of keywords on their resumes. Due to the widespread use of Applicant Tracking Software, keywords have become the deciding factor when it comes to your resume being read by a human.

What are the advantages of using resume keywords?

Hiring managers will scan your resume for keywords to determine whether you are fit for the role. Applicant Tracking Systems are trained to look for particular keywords on all the resumes that an employer receives for a job advertisement. Once the software filters all the resumes, if yours has all the right keywords, you will be considered a good choice for the position. Keywords also improve the searchability of your resume in databases. Mentioning the right keywords on your resume will help you be seen as a formidable candidate for a particular position.

Where should you add keywords in the job application?

You must display the right keywords in several places on your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.

The top one-third of your resume

Did you know that most hiring managers only scan your resume for less than 10 seconds during a resume review? Mostly, they pay attention to the top third of your resume. This is where you must incorporate the greatest number of keywords. Add keywords to your resume headline and resume summary.

The key skills section

Most keywords describe the job-related skills of a candidate. Create a separate key skills section that highlights your biggest professional strengths. Add 10 – 15 keywords to the key skills section of your resume. Avoid creating a long list of skills. When organizing your key skills, pay attention to the priority given by the employer for different skills in the job description and follow that order.

The career summary

The key to a strong career summary is in the use of keywords. Refer to the job description of the employer to identify the keywords they have used. Sprinkle those keywords throughout the career summary of your resume. When you add keywords to the bullet points of your career summary, use them in context. This will ensure that your resume becomes more impressive.

Your cover letter and LinkedIn

The cover letter is very important because employers almost always read the cover letter before getting to the resume. Therefore, add a good helping of keywords to your cover letter. Incorporate keywords into the headline, summary, work experience, and skills sections of your LinkedIn profile. This will ensure that you get seen by the right employer.