Resume Keyword Mistakes – Are You Making One?

Posted by in Career Advice •


Appropriate keyword use is a big deal for job seekers working on their resumes. Many employers now use some form of scanning software as an initial screener that helps them determine which candidates are obviously qualified for the job.

 

Even when your resume makes it past the screening process, if a hiring manager can’t glance at your resume and determine through your use of keywords that you mesh with the position you’re applying for, your resume will likely land in the decline stack.

 

The best way to ensure your resume will be taken seriously is to avoid the misuse of keywords.

 

What Are Keywords?

Keywords are words or phrases that employers use to find the right candidates for positions they’re offering. The concept is similar to that of looking up information in a search engine. The more keywords you use to conduct your search, the more closely the information you find will match what you’re looking for.

 

Employers look for candidates to incorporate similar keywords in their resumes that match the nature of the position they’re applying for. Keyword examples might include “press release” if you’re going for a public relations position, or “infrastructure development” if you’re in the IT field.

 

3 Common Misuses of Keywords

Because many job seekers don’t understand keywords and how they work, they often misuse them. Here are three common misuses of keywords:

 

1. Keyword Underuse

Many job seekers don’t know that keywords should be incorporated into their resume, so while they may be highly qualified, they don’t appear to be because of keyword underuse. A great remedy for underuse is to find a list of good keywords based on the field you’re in. Also, take a good look at job postings to find words that seem to define the role you want to assume.

 

2. Keyword Overuse

Another problem seekers run into is keyword overuse. Once they realize they need keywords, they jam too many into the resume, nearly spamming the document. Although you do want to include related keywords, you don’t want to ruin the integrity of your resume by saturating it with words that don’t fit the context of the sentences you write.

 

3. Unrelated Keywords

Some seekers also have a problem with adding too many keywords that are unrelated to the position they’re applying for. This could happen if you’ve added job history from an industry different from your current one. To fix this, think of ways that your former jobs in outside industries relate to the position you want, then switch your details and keywords to match.

 

As you can see, keywords can be your best friend or your worst enemy—depending on their use. Be sure to make them your friend as you work to create a dynamic resume that impresses any hiring manager who reads it.
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  • Patty B
    Patty B •
    Whatever happened to good old face-to-face interviews?  Employers can scan for keywords and demand online applications, but that is a bad way to weed out candidates.
  • Neeta P
    Neeta P •
    very informative.
  • Gary s
    Gary s •
    No help at all. WHAT are the words that one should not use? And what are the words that one should use. Terrible Article.
  • Randall N
    Randall N •
    IDIOTS! Keywords are specific to the job for which you are applying.
  • David R
    David R •
    A short list of generic keywords would have been nice
  • Eileen M
    Eileen M •
    Thank you for your suggestions.  Very informative and helpful.
  • Edward J
    Edward J •
    Some consultant got big bucks for this without giving any useful, practical, concrete or actionable examples.  What a waste of everyone's time, and your money!
  • cheryl s
    cheryl s •
    Very helpfull information
  • Cheryl B
    Cheryl B •
    It would be nice to have some samples of what they would rather see!
  • Nancy S
    Nancy S •
    Give some examples of keywords!
  • PHILIP A
    PHILIP A •
    Good piece .Well noted
  • James A
    James A •
    This article is so general as to be totally useles.
  • Diane B
    Diane B •
    Thank you, Maria M for actually giving great examples since this article did not!!!
  • Karl S
    Karl S •
    A noteworthy article, I thank you.
  • John D
    John D •
    Resumes reflect your continuing worklife and as such should be refreshed annually at a minimum.  Just as your abilities grow with experience your paperwork should mirror your growth.  Project your detailed self-image using current terminology.  Keywords area a means to that end.  That's not 'gaming', that is accurate representation of yourself, and that approach has severed me well over time.
  • Emmanuel B
    Emmanuel B •
    Give examples on how to use keywords in making my resume
  • Ruby W
    Ruby W •
    The article is genuinely helpful.  Good information for job seekers . . . .
  • RICKY N
    RICKY N •
    its kind of related to my resume, good information, thank you for sharing , i will update my resume a.s.a.p
  • Adam H
    Adam H •
    '' GAMING'' Is the problem! The employers are focusing on KEY WORDS and not on SKILLED EMPLOYEES. Maybe it is time to get back to basics. Interview people and hire them for what they are good at, not how well they can play the word game.
  • Maria M
    Maria M •
    Even though suggestions are rather vague for an inexperienced job seeker, I agree with the use of keywords, particularly focusing on the job description.  In a seminar re resume builder I attended sponsored by the Human Resources of a School District, here are some of his suggestions:  Do not use exactly the same resume for each position you apply.  Make sure it's tailor-made to the job description.  In your cover letter explain career gaps or career changes and emphasize which skills (not personality traits) would best fit the needs of this position.  Some key words (action verbs) are:  managed, maintained, monitored, recruited, interviewed and trained clerical staff, , supervised, achieved, initiated, ensured, accepted, carried out, coordinated, reviewed and prepared documents/summaries etc. edited, collected, summarized, evaluated, communicated, .... thus saved employer considerable (o be more specific if you can) overhead, implemented, initiated etc.  Keep your resume to the point (length doesn't really matter as long as what you list is meaningful and makes sense).  Make it easy to read by using bullets (each should start with one of the above action verbs).  List objective if you are targeting a broader industry (i.e. looking for a job in the Administrative or Instructional Services Department etc.).  Again, make it tailor-made for each position you apply, even though it may sound almost identical.  Look for those fine differences.  Another example:  If you list you were an Administrative Secretary, don't just assume that your prospective employer should know the responsibilities/duties of this job.  You need to outline those duties specifically.  
  • Sandra K
    Sandra K •
    I agree with the Ann P post on 02/12/13
  • Ann P
    Ann P •
    article too general  sample should be given
  • Christen R
    Christen R •
    It is very general description, examples should be used for elaboration; sample jobs with related keywords.
  • Tracy T
    Tracy T •
    yes I agree, good information
  • Laurie J
    Laurie J •
    First: Maybe the entire system worked better when job applicants were able to focus on representing their respective talents for the JOB, as opposed to representing their respective talents for conforming their resumes for an interview, otherwise known as "gaming the system."Second: I take issue with the entire "profession" that has sprung up over the last few years, of those people who make money on telling others on how to "game the system," rather than urging a return to a search for genuine quality.

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