Most of the time, when we talk about resume keywords, we focus on the content – making sure that our experience and skills are appropriately highlighted using the right language. However, there is another element to consider when it comes to keywords, and that’s where they appear on your resume.
In order to ensure that your resume is read by both humans and applicant tracking systems (ATS), you need to carefully consider not only what keywords to use, but also where to place them. In this article, we’ll show you how to add the right keywords in the right places on your resume so that you can get past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager.
What are ATS-friendly keywords?
ATS-friendly keywords are the words and phrases that an ATS will be looking for when scanning your resume. To determine which keywords to use, start by reading the job posting carefully. As you read, make a list of the skills and experience that are required for the position. These are the keywords that you want to use on your resume.
In addition to job-specific keywords, there are a few general keywords that are often used by ATS. These include:
• Skills: Include any relevant skills such as programming languages, software, or machines operated.
• Certifications: If you have any relevant certifications, be sure to include them.
• Education: List any relevant degrees or coursework.
Once you have a list of appropriate keywords, it’s time to start adding them to your resume – but where?
Where to place ATS-friendly keywords on your resume?
When it comes to adding keywords to your resume, there are a few general rules to follow:
1. Use keyword phrases rather than single words: When an ATS scans a resume, it breaks down each word into its root form. For example, if you include the word “managed” on your resume, the ATS will strip away the “-ed” ending and just see “manag” as a root form. However, if you use the phrase “management experience” instead, the ATS will recognize both “manag” and “experienc” as root forms. As a result, using keyword phrases will help ensure that your resume is matched with more job postings.
2. Use keyword variations: In addition to using keyword phrases, it’s also important to use different variations of those phrases throughout your resume. For example, if one of your selected keyword phrases is “customer service representative” you could also use variants such as “customer service rep” or “CSR” later on in your resume. This will help ensure that your resume is matched with even more job postings.
3. Use synonyms: In some cases, using synonyms for selected keywords can also be helpful. For example, if you want to include the keyword “developed” but don’t want to repeat yourself too much throughout your experience section, try using words such as “created” or “designed” instead. Just be careful not to overdo it – using too many synonyms can make your writing sound unnatural and difficult to read.
4. Place keywords throughout your resume: When adding keywords to your resume, don’t just focus on cramming them into your Skills or Experience sections – although those are obviously important places to include them! Instead, try sprinkling them throughout different parts of your resume such as in your Objective statement or even in descriptions of unrelated jobs in your work history section (more on this later).
5
