When a recruiter receives 500 applications for a role, they don’t have time to read 500 resumes. What they do is log into their ATS system and type in specific keywords, just like when you search for something on Google. If those words aren’t on your CV, you will never show up in their results.
What are keywords in a CV?
Keywords are nouns, tools, or short phrases that describe the main requirements of a job. Primarily they are:
- Hard skills: Software tools, languages, or methodologies (e.g., Python, AutoCAD, Scrum Methodology, UX Design).
- Job titles: (e.g., Sales Manager, Frontend Developer, Registered Nurse).
- Certifications: (e.g., MBA, PMP Certification, Scrum Master).
How to find the right keywords
You don’t have to guess. Keywords are always hiding in plain sight within the job description.
Imagine a posting says: “Looking for a Marketing Assistant with experience in creating Email Marketing campaigns using Mailchimp and analyzing metrics in Google Analytics.”
In this case, your mandatory keywords are: Marketing Assistant, Email Marketing, Mailchimp, Google Analytics.
How to integrate them naturally
The biggest mistake is making an endless list of words at the end of the document without any context. This looks unprofessional to human eyes. You must integrate keywords into your achievement bullet points.
- Bad: “Sent emails to clients to see if they worked.”
- Good: “Developed Email Marketing campaigns using Mailchimp, increasing the open rate by 15%, analyzing performance via Google Analytics.”
At cvatsfacil.com, our templates give you the perfect space in the “Experience” and “Skills” sections to strategically and naturally distribute your keywords.