How to Build a Targeted Resume Using Keywords

Review the job listing carefully.

When a company posts a job listing, that firm could receive hundreds of resumes in response. It would be quite difficult for a single human resources manager to sort through all of those documents on a daily basis, especially if the company has many positions to fill. As a result, many companies are turning to automated software packages that screen resumes for certain keywords and accept or reject them on that basis. Getting your resume through that screening process can be as simple as incorporating the right phrases and keywords into the document.

Instructions

1. Read the job listing carefully and circle any words that could be considered keywords. For instance, the job posting might specify C++, SQL Server or Office 2007 experience. Those would be considered keywords for the job listing, and any automated screening software will probably include those keywords as filters.

2. Log on to your PC and open your existing resume. Review the document for the keywords you identified. Add those keywords to the experience or skills section of your resume. It goes without saying that you should not make up experience you do not possess, but if you do have that experience you should include it in the resume. For instance, if the job listing specifies experience with Office 2007, you could add a line to your current job section pointing out how you were able to use Office 2007 to build a consolidated database for your department.

3. Add a standalone skills section to your resume if the keywords you identify include many different software programs. For instance, if the job posting lists experience with COBOL, C++ and HTML as essential, you could create a skills section that lists all three programming languages and protocols.

4. Review your resume carefully for typos and mistyped information. If the company uses any automated screening processes, it will probably not account for any alternate spellings of those required skills.

References

• CNN; Making It Past the Resume Gatekeeper; Beth Kowitt; April 2009