What are the top keywords for a resume that will catch the attention of recruiters?

Never use Job Description (JD) as your reference for resume keywords. JD is just a boring, historical & generic information created by HR or hiring department that reflects the current roles for job evaluation purposes. Meanwhile, job vacancies are meant for future skills and internal candidates are not available within the organisation. Hence why company need to “buy” or recruit from external. I would recommend you to refer to the current global business research such as World Economy Forum, Gartner Business Insigths or any business review within your job area.

One great way to find keywords for your resume is to extract them from the job descriptions of the types of jobs you're applying to. In addition to job descriptions, another way you can find keywords is to review the keywords used by other professionals on LinkedIn in the same career field or with the same job title that you aspire to land. Sometimes we don't always know how to best describe our skills and experience. Emulating those who have found success will ultimately improve your likelihood of finding success as well. Just make sure that any keyword you use is something you can speak to and have some kind of experience or expertise in.

When writing a resume there is no one keyword that everyone must have on their resume. Each applicant needs to showcase the industry terminology combined with their experience or academic learned outcomes. Also, keywords must be targeted to the job posting, job objective, and the industry.

There's only one right answer here: the job description. Almost every software that checks your resume + recruiters, look for specific words that are usually highlighted in the job description. So ditch your fancy writing and try your best to match the job description. 👍🔥

While specific preferences may vary depending on the industry and job role, three key words that are generally popular among hiring managers and can contribute to making a CV stand out include: Achieved: Demonstrates your ability to deliver results and accomplish goals. It implies that you are proactive and effective in your work. Leadership: Highlights your ability to take charge, guide a team, and make decisions. Even if you haven't held a formal leadership position, you can showcase instances where you took the lead or demonstrated leadership qualities. Adaptability: Indicates your flexibility and willingness to learn and grow. In a dynamic work environment, adaptability is often highly valued by employers.

To use resume keywords effectively: 1. Strategic Placement: Incorporate keywords to emphasize your fit for the role. Avoid random or excessive use. 2. Summary/Objective: Use keywords to underline key strengths, skills, and goals in your summary or objective. 3. Skills Section: List relevant hard and soft skills matching the job description. 4. Work Experience: Demonstrate skill application and results in previous roles. Use action-oriented keywords, responsibilities, and quantifiable achievements. 5. Education and Certifications: Highlight academic credentials and extra training or certifications with field-related keywords.

You know you've done it right when you read it and it doesn't feel forced. Less isn't more in this case but keyword stuffing is likely to make your resume sound unnatural and just weird. Its better to have relevant keywords that help bring notice and further emphasize on your experience, than having many keywords that don't make sense. 🫠

There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind from a tech standpoint. The concept of key words have gained most prominence in the tech driven world. ATSs or any other tech systems are trained to pick up words in a certain form. I would recommend you first to identify a few set of words that describe you or the work you do. Then use them recurrently through the profile for better results, eg manager, leader and coach, used differently to signify the same thing wouldn’t gain you the appropriate mileage. Use the key words across sections to ensure sync.

-Strategic Placement: Incorporate keywords naturally throughout your resume, especially in the summary, skills section, and work experience. Tailor them to match the specific requirements of each job application. - Quantify Achievements: Attach keywords to quantifiable achievements in your work history. This not only includes the skills but also showcases your impact in real-world scenarios.

→ Integrate keywords naturally throughout your resume content. → Place important keywords in your professional summary. → Highlight skills in the skills section, aligning with job requirements. → Weave keywords into job descriptions to showcase relevance. → Quantify achievements using keywords to add impact.

-Bullet Points: Present your skills and achievements in concise bullet points. This makes it easier for recruiters to scan your resume quickly and identify relevant keywords. -Section Headings: Use clear headings like "Skills" or "Technical Proficiency" to group related keywords. This enhances readability and highlights your expertise.

For formatting resume keywords: Font Choice: Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12 point size. Bullet Points: Make the resume easy to read with bullet points. Original Form: Use keywords in their exact form; avoid synonyms or acronyms. Consistency: Maintain uniformity in keyword use, avoiding variations in pluralization, hyphenation, or capitalization.

- ATS-Friendly Formatting: Ensure your resume is compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Test your resume using online tools to see how well it gets through ATS scans. - Industry Feedback: Seek input from professionals in your industry or mentors. They can provide valuable insights into whether your resume effectively communicates your skills using relevant keywords.

To test resume keywords: Online Tools: Use Jobscan or Resume Worded to compare your resume with job descriptions for feedback on keywords, formatting, and optimization. Grammar Check: Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can help check spelling, grammar, and readability. Peer Review: Ask a friend, colleague, or professional resume writer for honest feedback on your resume.

- Regular Review: Periodically review and update your resume with the latest industry trends and keywords. Stay informed about changes in your field and adjust your resume accordingly. - Feedback Loop: After applying to jobs, gather feedback on your resume's effectiveness. If you're not getting desired results, consider tweaking your keyword strategy.

There is no such thing as "top keywords for resume". Every job is different and every job requires a different skill set. So the best way to make your resume ATS friendly is - - By extracting the words from the JD (job description). - And using it smartly along with power words. This increases your chances. P.S. There are many websites today that can help you create an ATS friendly resume. So you can give them a try.

If it is specifically about keyword then try to use the required word for which the job is have to be. Like if you are applying for social media manager then your resume should have more of these keywords(i.e social media manager) Also, try to make the resume short and crisp.

In rapidly evolving AI and Large Language Model landscape, we have the remarkable capability to tailor our responses to each job description effortlessly. But in this age of digital screening, what truly matters is the authentic connection that your resume creates with the reader. Keywords and research are crucial, no doubt, but the real essence lies in originality and context. Let's put it plainly, your resume should read like a compelling story, one that resonates deeply with the person perusing it. In my experience counseling individuals over the years, I've come to realize that the ability to weave a complete narrative through your resume sets you apart from 95% of other hopefuls. What do you think? Let's talk more on this...

Reverse Engineering works well in this when you are crafting your resume! Think of the end outcome and breakdown in the reverse manner one by one! Which leads to the possibility of fine keywords.

When refining your resume: - Customize it for each job application to show specific interest in the role. - Seamlessly integrate keywords with your experiences and achievements to demonstrate relevance. - Ensure it appeals to both ATS and human recruiters with a balance of keywords and readability. - Stay updated with industry trends and include emerging keywords. - Use insights from your network for industry-specific jargon and skills.