Office Professional 2010 blog resume-keywords-four

If you have study a number of resume producing strategies, you most likely understand that most recruiters utilize “keyword searches” when hunting for resumes. Sometimes these keyword strings are extremely sophisticated and specific (like 10 line-long Boolean phrases), and sometimes these string are ultra-simplistic (one word). But no matter if a recruiter is searching for resumes in Monster, Google, or his own in-house Applicant Tracking System, keywords becomes both the savior and executioner of a lot of an applicant. I’ve seen applicants try to “beat” the keyword system by loading their resumes with possible search terms … everything from technologies (C++, Java, SQL, etc) to soft skills (creative problem solver, strong interpersonal communicator, etc). And they actually include these keywords in a special section entitled “Resume Keywords.” Wow, there’s no hiding the intention there! It definitely takes the right keywords to get you noticed, but what’s the correct way to use keywords? Here are some of my thoughts: 1. If you write “Fluent Spanish speaker” on your resume, you better know how to speak Spanish flawlessly. That’s a common resume tip I always heard growing up. If you claim to know a foreign language, then you should also expect your interviewer to begin your conversation with “Hola!” The same goes for technical skills. I see so numerous applicants who load their resumes with every technology they ever learned in school, regardless of current proficiency levels. Sorry, but reading a chapter on Delphi in college does not make you a Delphi expert. Leave it off your resume. I would advise only listing the technologies you would feel comfortable “speaking fluently” if put to the test. If a recruiter is searching on the key word “C++,” she wants at least an above average C++ programmer … not someone who used it in one small project five years ago and hasn’t used it since. Use common sense and only include those skills you are confident you know. 2. As lame as they may be, job descriptions can actually provide you with some useful information! Not sure which keywords are most important to include? Read the job description for “must have” skills. These qualifications will give you an idea of what a recruiter will be searching on. I’m not suggesting you load your resume with keywords from job postings, and again, you should only include those terms if you feel proficient in the subject. But job descriptions may help you prioritize or better understand what keywords would be pertinent to your qualifications. Sometimes companies use differing terminology from what you might use, and job descriptions should help you break the code. 3. Don’t sweat the “soft skills.” I don’t know a single recruiter who searches against the phrase “creative problem solver.” These phrases are fluff words on resumes, and while I’m not going to discourage you from including these descriptions if you want, I also don’t think they will help you get noticed in a keyword search. 4. Action verbs speak volumes! In addition to "hard skills," a lot of recruiters also search on “action verbs” that may tell more about the applicant’s experience. These words may include “design*,” “develop*,” “present*,” “lead,Office Professional 2010,” “manage*,” or “test*.” You get the idea. Again, the biggest tip I can impart here is be honest with yourself and the company to which you are applying. Let your resume represent the “real you.” Keyword loading your resume may get you picked up on a search, but it won’t necessarily get you an interview … and it definitely won’t get you the job. Remember … resumes are the ultimate self-marketing tool so know to whom you are marketing and make sure you get the correct message across. Good luck! gretchen