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Keywords That Will Get Your Resume Noticed

You've probably heard the advice from a friend, a career counselor, or maybe you read it online: "Make sure your resume has strong keywords." In a world where resumes are often scanned by computers hunting for certain words phrases, the right keyword has the potential to land your resume at the top a recruiter's pile. But how, exactly, is one to know just which keywords to use? Read on for some tips.

 

Use the job posting to your advantage

The advertisement for the position you're interested in is an excellent place to find keywords. If the ad says candidates need to have a bachelor's degree, "bachelor's degree" had better show up somewhere in your resume.

 

Some keywords are golden

Certain phrases are important to almost all companies. They include "communication skills," "problem-solving," "team work," "leadership," "resource optimization," and "image and reputation management."
"Business development" might be one of the most important of all!

 

Use words that demonstrate your value

Keywords are words that have got to show one can produce results. A prospective employer wants to be able to determine within 10 seconds what value you bring to the table. You need to highlight the work skills that qualify you specifically for the job that you're targeting.

 

Action verbs still matter

The keywords that will get you noticed by a computer search are usually nouns, but the verbs you use are still important. You need to communicate the things that you do in a positive, active way. Using strong phrases like "led a team" or "built a team" instead of "worked with a team" can make a subtle but important distinction to a recruiter.

 

Don't go overboard

As important as keywords are for getting noticed, littering your resume with buzzwords that don't accurately reflect your work experience may work against you.

 

Go with a text file

The keywords you use in your resume won't help if the resume you submit can't be read by scanning software. Short of submitting a hardcopy resume on an usual color of paper, there's not much a job hunter can do to foil a resume scanner.