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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  • Laura C
    Laura C •
    Vague. I was hoping to see what the new "buzz words" are now since I haven't had to apply for a job in over 10 years.  
  • Jeanine Z
    Jeanine Z •
    Awesome avice thank you so much for this information.
  • Parvin B
    Parvin B •
    I like the article and will modify my resume accordingly
  • Betty R F
    Betty R F •
    Interesting and thanks for sharing the information.
  • Rodney C
    Rodney C •
    send me more info. please.
  • Lorene R
    Lorene R •
    The article was very vague and lacked examples.
  • Puja P
    Puja P •
    Give examples, very vague and doesn't provide much help. Providing a list of buz/keywords would be beneficial.
  • Elizabeth J
    Elizabeth J •
    Need to see some examples,please!
  • Debbie H
    Debbie H •
    A friend recommended listing the job title and then the job location. Would the job title listed first be an example of key word?
  • judy b
    judy b •
    I agree with the folks below what are the key words.  this article is no help at all.
  • Sandra L
    Sandra L •
    I liked what you wrote.  As a Seminar Facilitator of resume writing, I find many companies are relying more on technology to sort through the stacks of resumes.  Although, the traditional standard of human eyes scanning resumes are still very much in practice.  Many of the recruiters or employers that I talked to that perform an electronic search for a candidate say, they rank the quality of the job seeker by the quantity of times keywords are found in the applicant’s resumes.  To assure you are on the top of the list is so easy.  Just look at all the skills in the job description and enter those skills you possess and place them in the keyword section of your resume.  I have had a time or two those in the class state that Patient, Honest, i.e. are not skills.  I have learned from some that Skills normally entail Nouns, but Keywords can entail Adjectives and Nouns.  Whatever you use in the Keyword or Skill section of the resume, especially focus on the action verbs used in the employer’s job description.  The phone calls from employers for interviews should ensue.  
  • Rose H
    Rose H •
    Good article!  Learned a lot!
  • Veronica p
    Veronica p •
    What are the key words? It doesn't help. Article is to vague. please give examples
  • Mike S
    Mike S •
    some examples, good & bad, would help.
  • vanessa w
    vanessa w •
    This article was very informative. The only thing, it didn't indicate enough or any examples is misused or underused  words.
  • Barbara C
    Barbara C •
    It would be nice if you indicated what key words are.
  • Alec O
    Alec O •
    Narrow-minded employers focused only on key-word automated selection are short sided and likely NOT looking for good employees, but rather fattening up the talent pool. Keyword have some relevance, but if HR and management folks would do a better job of posting accurate job descriptions and having qualified people screen the resumes then the final result would be much better.
  • John K
    John K •
    Resumes are a complete waste of time.  If you want a job it is networking and talking to those who work or hire in those companies. Resumes are like toilet paper lots of them that nobody cares really about.
  • Denise E
    Denise E •
    I agree and maybe that is the problem I am having
  • Lori G
    Lori G •
    Please give examples of key words.
  • Giuseppe G
    Giuseppe G •
    In my 25 yrs of Banking this is the 1st time I have been out work and till today I can't get a Full Time Jobs march 16th will be 1 yr whats wrong with my resume,
  • Cynthia w
    Cynthia w •
    give examples in different job industries, that would be helpful
  • Adi G
    Adi G •
    I interested in how to make  a Resume . Please help me  What shoud I do, thanks
  • Kim H
    Kim H •
    Provide some examples so an individual can relate and/or apply.
  • Liz N
    Liz N •
    To vague....need to give more examples, and tell people where to go to find more of a general and specific words reference thus to NOT make the mistake!

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