Writing a resumé can be a daunting task for the unemployed or underemployed.  But here's some perspective. 

Finding a job becomes that much simpler when you realize that you are there to solve a problem, a problem that the employer has without having you. 

So do they demonstrate that they need you?  They fly a posting, which is a proposal for work. 

And how do you demonstrate that you can fill their need?  You apply with a resumé, which is an answer to that proposal for work. 

This article shows how you can make your resumé show that you can speak the employer's language, by using keywords well. 

What are keywords?

Keywords, as opposed to bloated buzzwords, are words that make sense in the industry.  They connect people who work in that industry to people who need them. 

Keywords are words or phrases that seem important to a job. 

You can find the majority of keywords in a job description, a job description is a job posting or your research on what that job entails. 

We will examine how to find them and how to use them on your resumé, but first, let's examine their importance. 

How keywords help a resumé

Using keywords on your resumé shows that you have at least read the posting.  And every employer appreciates that very specific attention to detail. 

Clever candidates land more job interviews because they tailor their resumé by placing appropriate information under sections, and they target their resumé according to the posting.  Each posting they apply to would have a different resumé.  These resumés will differ greatly if the jobs they are applying for have different job titles, or less if the jobs they are applying for have the same job titles but are at different organizations.  This kind of resumé is called a targeted resumé.

Sending in a targeted resumé shows the employer that you are thoughtful and serious about working with them. 

And a big part of creating a targeted resumé is using keywords. 

Clever candidates who get the employer's attention, and even some of their respect, use keywords on their resumé to show they can speak the employer's language while having the language of the resumé remain simple for most everyone to understand. 

Why is this important?  Because you're talking to a human being.  A resumé is your human answer to the human question the employer asks.  Using keywords in that answer is a way to show you understand what they are asking. 

So use their keywords or their vocabulary on your resumé, and presto, interview!  Right?  Well... there's more to it than that. 

There is using keywords, and then there is using keywords well.  There is a difference. 

When you send out an application, your resumé will need to pass the ATS (applicant tracking software), the bouncer at the door.  The ATS screens candidates' applications often by matching the keywords on the posting to the keywords on their resumés and spitting out a list for the hiring manager with the "best matched" candidates on top. 

A candidate that lands the most keywords is not often the best fit, it just proves that they're at least good at matching words. 

You can be good at matching words too, to get past the ATS, as well as to show the employer you understand where they are coming from so you can meet them on the bridge that is the interview. 

Now that you know what keywords do for you, let's make them work for you. 

Where do you find keywords?

The most important keywords you use will be in the requirements section of a job posting.  And if the job posting is a 20-character ad in a newspaper, find one with a similar job title that describes more of the job. 

Other important keywords can be found in the responsibilities section of a posting, as well as in the about the organization section on the posting or on the employer's website that describes what they do, and the values they stand for. 

Keywords from the industry or sector are also good to use to show that you understand the language of your field. 

How to use keywords well on your resumé

As mentioned, the most important keywords are under the requirements, right?  The employer is looking for someone with a particular set of qualifications and skills. 

Any job seeker can slap a bunch of skills on a resumé, even verbatim from the posting.  But clever candidates use keywords well and demonstrate how they use these skills within the language of the resumé. 

When you highlight keywords on a job posting, and the about the organization section, the number of keywords you collect might be overwhelming.  And you only have two pages of real estate to populate your resumé (three if you count the cover letter).  Rest assured that you don't have to use all of these keywords though.  

Prioritize crafting your resumé with the keywords you highlighted under the posting's requirements.  And you can speak to a keyword you highlighted under the organization's values in your cover letter. 

You will find that a lot of what creating a targeted resumé is about is matching your skills to the employer’s needs[i], using keywords. 

Here are some examples.  The keywords are underlined so you can see how they work.  

Notice that the most important keywords are used in the highlights of qualifications section (typically for Canadian resumés) or the profile and skills section (typically for U.S. resumés) and some of those keywords and other keywords are used in the experience section. 

Example one: Creating a targeted resumé using keywords.

--------------------------

Posting: Bilingual (Spanish) Welfare Officer at Compartir Y Cuidado Foundation (Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico)

Requirements

 - One year of experience in customer service. 

 - High School Diploma. 

 - Bilingual in Spanish, oral and written. 

 - Spanish and English, IELTS Level 6 and up, preferred.

 - Ability to have patience with clients to understand their needs. 

 - Attention to detail and high level of accuracy, report writing skills. 

 - Ability to work cooperatively with law enforcement and social workers. 

Candidate: Alina Sandoval

Profile

Customer service professional with over one year of experience in customer service (over three months in compassionate care), and a diploma in culture from a university in Mexico. 

Skills

 - Bilingual in Spanish (Mother Tongue) and English IELTS Level 6.5, and has strong oral and written communication skills in both languages.

 - Detail-oriented; writes needs assessments and progress reports. 

 - Empathetic, has patience with clients to understand their specific needs. 

Experience

Walmart Superstore (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Associate, Oct 2021 to Present (March 2023)

 - Supports manager in a team of ten to operate all departments on the floor during alternating daytime and evenings shifts. 

 - Stocking and organizing merchandise and reporting inventory of resources. 

 - Assisting customers in finding items they need, cashing out customers, and resolving customer grievances in returns. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (White Rock, New Mexico), Welfare Specialist (Volunteer, 20 hrs./wk.), Sept 2021 to Present (March 2023)

 - Liaises with local and regional church leaders and state leaders, family members and friends, to arrange relief for individuals' or families' specific needs in food, housing, employment support, counselling, and healthcare. 

 - Works cooperatively with case workers to find programs and resources that fit the clients' needs. 

 - Listens to clients to provide compassion and to evaluate their needs. 

 - Trained in the organization's protocols, and resources and services available through them, the government, and the community. 

 - Writes accurate reports on needs assessments and progress to help allocate resources and services, and to provide feedback on programs. 

Education

Universidad La Salle, Mexico City (2013)

Two-Year Diploma in Culture 

--------------------------

Notice that if Alina did not identify empathy as a keyword, it would not have prompted them to search for an industry keyword like compassionate care and they might not have considered including their relevant volunteer experience altogether - which quite matches the posting. 

Let the keywords show you where the employer is coming from, so you can speak in the language of the industry when you present your qualifications and experience. 

Here is another example. 

Example two: Creating a targeted resumé using keywords.

-------------------------

Posting: Attendant with Five Guys Burgers & Fries (Ottawa, Ontario)

Requirements

 - Minimum of six months experience in a customer service role. 

 - High School Diploma. 

 - Ability to prepare food orders from menu, take orders, and perform cashier duties. 

 - Keeping food area and the rest of the facility clean. 

 - High level of responsibility and ability to learn procedures quickly. 

 - Ability to work individually with minimal supervision and in teams. 

Candidate: Randy February

Highlights of Qualifications

 - Almost six months of experience in customer service in the food industry. 

 - High School Diploma and some university. 

 - Highly responsible, quick learner on procedures; operated a franchise during summer. 

Experience

Dunkin' Donuts (Buffalo, New York), Attendant, April 2021 to July 2021

- Operated a franchise individually and in small teams during evening shifts and rush hour. 

 - Prepared food orders from the menu, cashed out customers, kept facility clean, and did closing. 

Education

Carleton University (Ottawa Ontario) Sept 2021 to Present (March 2023)

 - Bachelor's of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. 

Leonardo Da Vinci High School (Buffalo NY)

 - High School Diploma

-------------------------

Notice that Randy did not match the qualifications for having at least six months of experience in customer service - he had three to four.  Nonetheless, he applied and used keywords and simple language to expand on the scope and depth of his qualifications, experience and education. 

It is wise to spend most of your time on postings that are a good fit for you, but if you have 50% of the qualifications outlined, still apply.  You never know.  And if you have 75%, you're already a strong candidate.  

In these examples, notice that whenever a job is detailed under experience, the first bullet is an overview bullet, aka battlefield bullet, describing you in that job using industry keywords the employer will appreciate, e.g., shifts, teams, supported, manager, and departments.  

As an aside, High School Diplomas on a resumé don't need to be dated, as it can age you at the interview level. 

Continue to use keywords in your resumé so you can do your background justice and show that you can see where they are coming from. 

Summary

Here is a recap of how to use keywords on your resumé so you can stand out. 

1. Keywords on a resumé are words or phrases that seem important to the job.  They show the employer that you know what they're talking about. 
2. The most important of keywords can be found on the job requirements section of the job posting and spoken to on your resumé in the highlights of qualifications section (typically for Canadian resumés) or the profile and skills section (typically for U.S. resumés).
3. It is good to also use industry keywords, especially in your overview bullets, aka battlefield bullets, which is the first bullet detailing a job under experience. 

Notes

This article contains no text pictures to ensure that every word can be read aloud by a text-to-speech application. And was tested using Google Chrome’s “Read Aloud” add-on.

Bio

Tiffany Persaud is a freelance writer and resumé writer who has helped dozens of people find jobs they like during the pandemic and coming out of it.

Resources

Want to land more interviews with your resumé? Book me for more information. Rates apply.

References

Benz, Conrad.: "What is a Targeted Resume?".  ResumeGenius.com.  < https://resumegenius.com/faq/what-is-a-targeted-resume >  April 14, 2021.  Accessed on April 1, 2023. 

---