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Resume Writing Series:
1. What is a Killer Resume?
2. 10 Resume Dos
3. 10 Resume Sins
4. Resume Anatomy
5. 6 Sucky Resume Words
6. 6 Resume Action Words
7. 8 Resume Keywords
8. 3 Resume Formats
9. Free Resume Examples
10. Free Resume Template
8 Keywords That Set Your Pesume Dn FIre
By KERRY | CAREER & WORK, RESUMES | 20 COMMENTS
This article is part of a series
called How to Write a Resume.
To start this series from the
beginning, read the introduction.
Does your resume sizzle with the
right keywords to get you
noticed? Can your resume make
it past the "reject pile, get
found in a crowded search
database, or inspire a job
interview? If youre sitting by the
phone waiting for a hiring
manager to call, then perhaps
its time to add the right keywords to your resume.
In the previous article we squawked about how action verbs show hiring managers
what actions youve taken in previous jobs. Where action verbs activate your
resume, keywords are the nouns that explain to hiring managers what
things you performed the actions on.
Employers want to know the skills and
qualifications you offer - so explain WHAT
skills you possess with the right keywords
and get yourself onto the hiring managers
job interview list.
Why You Need Keywords Dn
Your Pesume
Employers use keywords to filter through
piles of resumes on their desk. If your
resume is handed to them without the keywords that match job requirements, then
your application may hit the "reject pile without a second glace. To find job
candidates, some employers use software programs, internet job boards, and
resume databases to search for those applications matching the keywords they
target. Other employers are so overwhelmed by the mass number of resumes they
receive daily that they streamline their hiring process by digitizing resumes, storing
them in a database, searching for ideal candidates using keywords, and then using
the results to create an interview call list. In today's world of keywords and
search engine technology, if your resume doesn't contain the right mix of
job-specific keywords, then your resume may stay buried in the digital
dungeon that is a candidate database even if you're fully qualified for the
job. As a job-seeker, using the right keywords on your resume is essential if you
want your resume to leap out of a pile or be found in a database and land a job
interview.
FIndIng Your 8 Keywords
You dont need a degree in English to find your 8 keyword nouns. Keyword nouns
tend to be the "hard skills, industry-specific qualifications, and job-specific terms
employers look for in a job candidate. Heres a list of general skill and qualification
areas to consider when listing your keywords:
- Degrees or Certifications
- University or College Names
- Job Titles
- Product Names
- Technical Terms
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Page 1 oI 6 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire , SquawkIox
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- Industry Jargon
- Job-specific Buzzwords
- Company Names
- Service Types
- Professional Organizations
- Software or Hardware Packages
- Computer Lingo
A great place to get keyed into your resume keywords is to review 5 to 10
employment ads with similar job titles in your field and see which words
are repeatedly mentioned. Once you see a pattern, highlight and list the
keywords employers mention and be sure to include them in your resume and cover
letter.
After making your keyword list and checking it twice, chances are youll have more
than 8 keywords to boast about. Perfect! Just be sure not to make every other word
in your resume a keyword - to much of a good thing is painful, and no one likes to
read a resume riddled with buzzword bingo overkill - so start with 8 keywords and
go from there!
If youre still stuck narrowing down a list of skill and qualification keywords for your
resume or cover letter, then try using the Occupational Information Network
(O*NET) to learn about the standard descriptors specific to your occupation.
UsIng Keywords Dn Your Pesume
Youve found and highlighted your keyword nouns, now put them into resume
format! When writing your resume, its a good idea to precede your keywords with
an action verb and then end each statement with specific facts and figures. This
brings strength to your resume and sells your skills to a prospective employer.
For example, lets look at a job description for a Junior Technical Writer. Ive
highlighted the 8 keywords that match the applicants skills best.
Now let's get these 8 keywords working for us in resume format! Notice how
Ive put a few keywords in each sentence along with an action verb!
KEYWORDS: technical documentation, instructional materials
BONUS: English, French
- Wrote technical documentation and instructional materials
in French and English for an online pharmaceutical website.
KEYWORDS: developers, pharmacy
BONUS: software, specifications, web interfaces, database system
- Worked in a team with software developers and pharmacists to
design software specifications and web interfaces for a
pharmacy database system.
KEYWORDS: Bachelors degree
BONUS: communications
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Page 2 oI 6 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire , SquawkIox
7/10/2012 http://www.squawkIox.com/2009/04/02/8-keywords-that-set-your-resume-on-Iire/
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Riscario Insider APRIL 2ND, 2009
Thanks for more great tips in this excellent, timely series.
Including the bonus words does create additional interest
. maybe enough to get to the interview stage.
Aman@BullsBattleBears APRIL 3RD, 2009
When I skim thorough resumes, its the keywords that
really do catch my eye and further peak my interest to
follow up. Some people send me essays with bland generic
cover letters that are copies of internet samples.those get
glossed over. The right keywords make all the difference.
Good article for anyone trying to polish their resume!
Murray Moman APRIL 3RD, 2009
I dont know.there may be good information on lachamba
but I cant confirm it. I went to the site and clicked on the
behavioural interviews video. I think lachambas credibility
suffers a bit when you hear a toddler talking away quite
loudly in the background. First impressions mean a lot and
I tuned out almost immediately.
Sagan APRIL 3RD, 2009
- Graduated with a Bachelors degree in Communications, with
high honors, from Smith University.
KEYWORDS: Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver
BONUS: online, work flows, Microsoft Visio
- Wrote, edited, and maintained online help and user manuals
using Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver,
and created work flows with Microsoft Visio.
Adding keywords to your resume not only sets your skills on fire but can get you
noticed in a competitive job market. So go ahead and find your career keywords
and land that job interview!
Got your own resume keyword tips to share with others looking
for work in this challenging economy? Jump in and speak up in
the comments below!
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Page 3 oI 6 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire , SquawkIox
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Im applying for another job in just a couple weeks and will
DEFINITELY be making use of your resume tips!!
Adam APRIL 6TH, 2009
in your examples you have "Wrote.. Id change one or
both to "Composed.
Kate APRIL 7TH, 2009
You know, even though I occasionally write cover letter
clinics and resume rehab sessions on my (sadly neglected)
blog, I never thought about incorporating keywords into a
resume the way you might optimize a website. But, thats
a great idea! Its such a simple change we can all make to
create more noticeable resumes- a real example of the
power of small- and a change that these days, we really
cant ignore.
Meaghan APRIL 14TH, 2009
I love this series.keep it coming!
Jude APRIL 15TH, 2009
I agree with everyone. Great series!
I always forward your site to people I know who are
struggling with the job hunt right now.
10BiggestResumeMistakes.com JUNE 17TH, 2009
Such a good article.
While having key words on the resume is important, it is
equally important to keep them in check- dont put them
on your resume just to have them. Use them if they are
true!
Best
@ResumeInterview
Rob NOVEMBER 9TH, 2009
Good stuff, thanks
NancyBeyond MARCH 11TH, 2010
Having keywords is important as long as they are used in
the right context. I see resumes all of the time and it truly
cracks me up to see a job seeker who uses a thesaurus to
find "keywords and ends up using the word in the wrong
context. Or they try to use keywords from a job posting
without having any idea what they mean! If you are job
seeking, you should always try to run your resume by and
impartial person!
Julie AUGUST 22ND, 2011
@NancyBeyond - When criticizing others you should
"always try to run your [remarks] by and [sic] impartial
Page 4 oI 6 8 Keywords That Set Your Resume On Fire , SquawkIox
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person as well or simply utilize basic proofreading skills
(no thesaurus necessary).
Remember - those who live in glass houses...
Yukon Jack DECEMBER 22ND, 2011
An insightful and helpful article, thanks!
To follow on from the theme of choosing words carefully,
ones interest is piqued, not peaked (in case this is a word
chosen for your resume or cover letter).
Good luck!
YJ
Isabelle APRIL 29TH, 2012
Thanks for the notes, do you have any idea what key
words would help me land a job in the print industry? I
graduated from the graphic communications management
program but since my internship only gave me production
experience, Im having difficulties landing a larger role -
CSR or Premedia, since its been almost 2 years and dont
have experience in those roles.
In the meantime Im attempting to get a part time at least
within the customer service role, in hospitality or tourism.
Any help is appreciated in either career choice.
Heather MAY 16TH, 2012
Thanks for included the hint - and the link - for doing
some research on the Occupational Information Network.
REALLY good insight on finding keywords!
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