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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  • KATHI LAWRENCE
    KATHI LAWRENCE
    I am an older woman in my mid-fifties, who is still trying to find a job that is interesting, busy, and challenging that I can hopefully retire with.  Because of my age and the number of qualified people available, how can I grab the attention of possible employers when they can clearly see how old I am.  I am experienced and have many qualifications to offer, but feel my age stands in my way.  Any suggestions on the best way to sell myself and not my age?
  • Deborah Salvage
    Deborah Salvage
    Useful information if it includes actually a resume writing screen.
  • Darrell Tarpkin
    Darrell Tarpkin
    very informative and helpful
  • Blyth Kifer
    Blyth Kifer
    As I continue the precarious job search process, I find out that looking for a job is work itself. Knowledge is the key! The more information I can obtain, the better my resume will be, and the greater the possibility that I will be the candidate that is chosen. Thank you for all the Keyword Mistakes. I will definitely review my resume for them and correct my mistakes.
  • Alan Sanichar
    Alan Sanichar
    Good to know... but not useful to me...
  • KATHLEEN MINNOCK
    KATHLEEN MINNOCK
    Cleary more is not always better, this was very helpful
  • Armida Garcia
    Armida Garcia
    I appreciate this information, but some examples would help more..
  • Ray Chang
    Ray Chang
    not enough info.
  • Susanne Cotton
    Susanne Cotton
    High-powered jobs always appear to overstate the responsibilities and duties.  So I am not sure how those inflated word choices would be useful on a resume unless very carefully chosen.  Sometimes second-guessing oneself can backfire.  However, the idea that you may be overstating or understating your qualifications or expectations is feasible.  So this information is helpful theoretically, but the decisions still come down to the individual job-seeker's abilities to assimilate and synthesize just the right information.  Knowing what the recruiter is looking for and knowing the company as a whole for what it does goes a long way to produce a good presentation of oneself in an interview, but it alone will not get one the job or position.  Ultimately, selling oneself as the exact package even when one has the qualifications that the company or person wants takes expertise in itself and likely a likely luck, too.  Timing plays a big role as well.  SC   
  • Geoffrey Wyllie
    Geoffrey Wyllie
    Article is good, however need examples, and not the high price sign up posts.
  • JOHN VONDRAS
    JOHN VONDRAS
    it would have been nice to see some examples and suggestions
  • STACI ROBERSON
    STACI ROBERSON
    How do you know when you've overused keywords?
  • Jesse Glenn
    Jesse Glenn
    i dont know how to write an effective resume that i so desperately need...
  • Keith Blackshear
    Keith Blackshear
    Too vague. No examples
  • James Watkins
    James Watkins
    Awesome advice thank you so much for this information.
  • Molly Monahan
    Molly Monahan
    I think my resume does not sell me. It looks good,a lot in it but nothing that buttons down my qualifications.
  • wayne m
    wayne m
    Ms./Mrs. Holbrook,I embrace the efforts you put into this, but still no examples to support the "keyword issue". It would be helpful to all readers a better understanding in their jobsearch. Thank you!!
  • Rose K
    Rose K
    Not helpful, too vague.
  • Gregory D
    Gregory D
    I appreciate this info; because I fall into a particular age category now I am finding face to face interviews after being selected as a potential job candidate do not end with the results I expected. I do not want to reinvent myself because my skills set/work portfolio I believe has great value.
  • Christine S
    Christine S
    Need examples to help me or a web site I can go to for help.Not very helpful
  • Derritt C
    Derritt C
    This was very vague with no examples.
  • Jesse H
    Jesse H
    Not one example?
  • Antonia P
    Antonia P
    Although this is very helpful, an example that we could actually visualize would be better. I used to be a med. transcriber which has gone "belly up". What words could I use to persue other positions if I have only performed that one profession?
  • Anthony S
    Anthony S
    This was very vague with no examples.
  • Patty R
    Patty R
    Maria M. was the most helpful.  She should write for you!

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