Resume Keywords That Get You Noticed: Speak the Language of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
By Peter M on Updated:
You send your resume online. You hope a real person reads it. But guess what? Often, robots read it first! These robots are called Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS. They are like gatekeepers. If your resume doesn’t speak “robot,” it might not even get to a human. Want to beat the robots? You need resume keywords. Let’s learn how to use these secret weapons to get your resume noticed – by robots AND people!
Online Resumes: First, Robots Read Your Resume?
Yes, it’s true. When you apply for jobs online, robots often see your resume before anyone else. Most big companies use these robot systems, called ATS. You send your resume into the system. The robot reads it. The robot decides if your resume is “good” or “bad.” If the robot thinks your resume is bad, humans might never even see it. Crazy, right? So, how do you make the robots happy? Keywords are the key. Want to make your resume even stronger? Consider creating a portfolio on Cirkledin to showcase your projects, skills, and achievements.
What Are These “ATS” Robots Anyway?
What are these ATS robots? Are they real robots? Not really. ATS is just software. It’s computer programs that companies use to handle job applications. Think of it like a super-fast helper for the people who hire. ATS helps companies:
- Get Through Tons of Resumes: For each job, companies get tons of resumes online. ATS helps them look at them all fast.
- Find Just the Right People: Companies want to find people with certain skills. ATS helps them search for those skills fast.
- Make Hiring Faster: ATS makes the whole hiring process go faster. Companies can find people to interview much quicker.
So, ATS is software that helps companies find job people. And your resume has to impress this software FIRST.
Why Do Keywords Matter to Robots? It’s Like a Matching Game!
Why do these ATS robots care about keywords? Think of it like a matching game. The company tells the ATS: “Find resumes that have these words.” Words like “teamwork,” “coding,” or “customer service.” These words are keywords. The ATS then scans all the resumes. It looks for those keywords. If your resume has the right keywords, the robot says “Yes! This one is good!” If your resume misses the keywords, the robot might say “No. Not a match.” So, keywords help your resume get picked as a “match” by the robots.
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Where Do You Find the Right Keywords? Easy Tips to Find Them
Okay, so keywords are key. But where do you find them? It’s not hard. Here’s how:
- Job Ads Are Gold: The best place to find keywords? Job ads! Read the job ads for jobs you want. Look for words that pop up a lot. Words about skills they want. Words about what you’ll do. These are often keywords.
- Think About Your Field: Think about the field you want to work in. What are the main skills for that field? What words do people in that field use a lot? Make a list of these words.
- Look at Example Resumes: Search online for example resumes in your field. See what skills and words they use. This can give you ideas for keywords to use too.
How to Use Keywords Right: Make Robots and Humans Happy
Now you have keywords. Great! But don’t just stuff them in your resume any old way. Use them smart. Use them right. Make both robots AND humans happy when they read your resume.
- Skills Section is Key Spot: Put keywords in your skills section. List out your skills clearly. Use those keyword words when you list your skills.
- Use Keywords in Your Work Story: When you talk about your jobs or projects, use keywords there too. When you say what you DID, use keyword words to describe it. Use action words that are also keywords.
- Read It Out Loud: After you add keywords, read your resume out loud. Does it sound normal? Does it still make sense to a person? It should! Don’t make it sound like robot talk. It still needs to impress humans too.
Warning! Don’t Go Too Far with Keywords – Red Flags to Avoid
Yes, keywords are important for ATS. But don’t go too far! Too many keywords can hurt you too. Here are red flags to avoid with keywords:
- Keyword Soup: Don’t just dump keywords all over. Don’t just list keywords in lines and lines. That looks bad to robots AND humans. Use keywords naturally in your sentences.
- Words That Don’t Fit You: Don’t use keywords that are not really your skills. Be honest. Only use keywords that truly fit your work and skills. ATS and humans can tell if you’re just faking it.
- For Humans Too: Always remember, humans will read your resume too. Make it good for them first. Make it easy to read. Make it sound like a real person. Keywords help, but good writing matters most.
Action Steps: Keyword-Boost Your Resume Today!
Ready to make your resume robot-ready AND human-awesome? Do these things now:
- Find 5 Job Ads: Find 5 job ads for jobs you want. Read them for keywords. Make a keyword list.
- Check Your Skills Section: Look at your skills section. Add keyword words to your skill lists.
- Rewrite Your Work Story: Go through your work history. Add keyword words to your job descriptions. Show your skills in action using keywords.
- Read it Out Loud (Again!): Read your keyword-boosted resume out loud. Does it sound good? Does it sound real? Make sure it’s great for robots AND humans.
Final Thought: Resume Keywords: Get Past Robots and Get Hired!
Your resume is a bridge between you and opportunity, and keywords are the essential tools to navigate the digital landscape. Master the art of strategic optimization, speaking the language of both robots and humans. By crafting a resume that resonates with ATS and recruiters alike, you’re not just getting noticed; you’re building a genuine connection.
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