Resume Workshop: Keywords

This is a huge subject for resume writing, job searching and the application process, and I'm not going to pretend that I understand it all. But here are a few practical steps that you can start with to improve your odds in your job search.

Before you start, recognize and come to terms with the fact that the hiring and recruitment world - like everything else in our lives today - is driven by computers. Software aids nearly all searches - from the small HR department in a mid size manufacturing firm to the large, fully integretated HRIS operations in Fortune 500 companies, all the way to your executive search recruiter, including us here at PRI. The reality is that your resume must go through some type of screening by an application, and that screening will be driven off keywords in some manner. Therefore, taking the time to modify your resume (or completely build it) around these keywords is not only worth the effort, but may be the only chance you have in getting past the electronic gatekeeper of resume submission.

1. Start by reviewing all the job descriptions and ads you are interested in, or have applied for. Highlight words (or terms and acronyms) that are listed as "required", "preferred", or simply show up frequently.


2. Build a list of these words, and then rank, or weigh the list, based on factors like "this keyword shows up in every job I want", or "this skill is always required", or "this shows up in half of the jobs I'm interested in". The keywords, or terms, that show up or are required in nearly every description you are seeking receive a higher rank then the others.


3. Review your resume. First things first -- do all of your top ranked keywords from your newly generated list appear anywhere on your resume? If yes, move to the next step. If no, evaluate why. If you don't possess that skill, you'd better reevaluate what type of job you are searching for. If you do possess that skill or have had the experience, where does it belong on your resume?


4. Now begin to evaluate where on your resume these keywords show up. For example, if you are searching for a Quality Assurance Management position, and "internal audits" and "inspection" are keywords you've identified as high priorities, where do those keywords/key phrases show up on your resume? If they are on page 2 -- start figuring out a way to get those keywords on page 1.


5. The most important keywords not only need to be on the first page of your resume, but ideally show up towards the top and appear more than once on your resume. Some keyword searches will read like we do -- top to bottom, left to right. Therefore, having these keywords at the beginning of your document can make a difference. Other keyword searches will sort the results by relevance, which means that using keywords / key phrases more then once will help result in your resume landing at the top of the search results.

This blog isn't a comprehensive guide to managing keywords in your resume, but will give you a good start. Don't wait to take action! Even a few changes to your resume could start landing your electronic submissions on the "to review" pile today!