Blog Post: Use Keywords on Your Online Resume

When you create your online resume, it is important to use keywords that employers will search for. Generally, to find candidates, employers enter one or two words in a keyword search field. These words are usually job titles or names of important skills. Search results then, are determined by word relevance; how many times the keywords are used within a resume. So, if you're looking for a sales position but only include the title, "account manager," in your resume, your resume won't turn up in an employer's search for "sales" or "sales representatives". Therefore, it is important to include words that an employer will most likely search for.

Tips for Creating Good Keywords

1. Use some industry jargon in your resume; for example, "CAD designer" or "SQL Server." A lot of times, employers are searching for key elements like knowledge of a particular computer software program. Don't just assume that employers will know that you are proficient with a program because of your job title. Instead, include a skills section in your online resume so that you will be included in an employer's skill-related search results.

2. Use different word forms like "manager," "management" and "managed." This way, you'll have all the bases covered, because you can never be absolutely sure which word form an employer will search for. A good rule of thumb is to repeat nouns and include action verbs.  

3. Vary your use of abbreviations. It's fine to write, "Human Resources," but it's a good idea to also write, "HR" elsewhere.

Think like a recruiter – if you were searching for your resume online, what keywords would you enter? Now, make a list of words – nouns and verbs – that would best describe your experience and incorporate them as much as possible into your online resume. Remember that every recruiter has a different style, so when writing your online resume, it's best to exercise variance.