The way in which employers browse through resumes and select job candidates has changed dramatically over the past decade. Rather than sifting through piles of physical resumes, many now use software and databases. To ensure that you’re not overlooked, it’s important to incorporate the right keywords into your resume. Here’s how to do so and increase your likelihood of getting an interview.
Peruse Job Listings
To begin, you will want to look at three or more job listings for positions in your industry to see which keywords are most commonly used. You can do this by checking out a job board like Indeed, Monster or Simply Hired to see which keywords employers are using the most. This can include general skills, qualifications, industry jargon, software platforms, etc. By looking at several job listings, you can make comparisons, which should give you a good idea of what employers are looking for.
Take Note of “Must Have” Keywords
After performing some research, you should write down some “must have” keywords. For example, if you’re looking for an administrative position, some must have keywords might be the following:
- Preparing financial reports
- Strong computer skills
- Internet research skills
- Word processing
- Creating spreadsheets and presentations
Incorporate Keywords into Your Resume
Once you’ve identified a list of keywords, you’ll want to strategically weave them into your resume. The key is to disperse them so that they’re balanced, and your resume reads naturally. For instance, you wouldn’t want to concentrate all of your keywords into the beginning. You would want to distribute them evenly so that they’re found throughout the entire body of your resume.
According to Live Career, “you don’t need to worry about repeating the same keywords more than once.” One time should be sufficient, and using too high of a keyword density can potentially be detrimental. The bottom line is that you don’t want to go overboard with a particular keyword. It’s also recommended to use variations of a keyword whenever possible. So instead of saying Bachelor of Business Administration, you could say BBA as well.
Throw in Some Action Words
Another tip that experts recommend is using action words that go above and beyond what the majority of job candidates use. Here are some examples:
- Analyzed
- Administered
- Diagnosed
- Evaluated
- Resolved
This should increase your chances of your resume gaining attention. You can use this resource from the University of Michigan for more ideas of effective action words.
By adapting to the latest trends employers are using when creating your resume and using the right keywords, you’re less likely to be looked over. You’ll also make it clear what your qualifications are, and should stand out over other job applicants. If you’re looking for work and need advice, click here to see how Encadria Staffing Solutions can help.