How to Use Industry Keywords in a Resume

Using industry or career-field keywords in the headings and body of your resume is crucial to your job search. This is more essential when the bulk of your job search is conducted online.

Instructions

1. Find a list of the keywords that are specific to your industry or career field, and use them in your resume. It is important that you actually use the terms in the natural language of the resume, rather than just using a keyword list at the top or bottom of the document. While search engines will appreciate a keyword list, hiring professionals would rather see you fill the space with something more valuable. In order for the industry keywords to be effective they need to be incorporated into the headers, job titles and bullet statements on your resume. Take a detailed look at your current resume. Bear the following in mind while you do the review. What keywords have you used? Which ones have you left out? Would some of the keywords you've used work better in other places?

2. Give your resume a title or an opening statement that appears at the top of the page directly under your name and contact information. You can use the job title of the position you're looking for or use a statement such as, "Highly effective sales manager and team leader."

3. Write a profile that incorporates industry keywords related to your soft skill sets, after the title or heading. You'll want to create three or four strong statements that describe your experience and include employment skills (keywords) that are necessary for most employment situations and others that apply to a specific field or industry. Interpersonal communication and time management skills, for example, are good keywords that apply to the majority of positions, as are leadership abilities and cost controls. Financial analysis and critical thinking, on the other hand, might be necessary for specific positions. The following is an example of an opening statement (profile) that would work well for the profile of an Information Systems Analyst.
   "Detail-oriented analyst with more than 10 years of experience. Possess extensive understanding of information systems in global network environments. Utilize excellent interpersonal communication skills to interact with users at all levels of technological ability. Able to read and understand complex specifications documents and implement system-wide changes with little or no interruption in system services."
   Notice how the keywords are used naturally in the content, rather than creating a "keywords" section that just lists the search terms.

4. Get to know your target audience and the language it is using. Take advantage of the niche job boards to research what is most commonly used for specific types of work. You may find that using a dual title will work well in your situation. Using the example above in the food service industry, for instance, you could use the actual job title, along with the preferred industry title for someone with the same responsibilities. It might read "Customer Service Manager/Senior Team Leader--Food Service."

5. Make sure you include as many keywords on your list in the bullet statements you use to describe your duties and responsibilities for a particular position. An aerospace engineer, for instance, might "Develop and distribute highly complex engineering drawings, managing changes and revisions using customized CAD applications." An accounting clerk would probably "Efficiently handle posting of accounts receivable and accounts payable (AR/AP) in high volume accounting office, consistently meeting data entry goals."