3 Places to Use Keywords in Your Job Search

3 Places to Use Keywords in Your Job Search3 Places to Use Keywords in Your Job SearchThe adage choose your words wisely may be old, but its relevance to modern job hunting is huge. Taking the time to figure out which words and phrases will strike a chord with employers can be the difference between success and the rejection pile. Below are three places to use keywords in your job search for better results.Here are three places to use keywords in your job search1. On LinkedIn to Be Found by RecruitersCompanies looking to hire routinely turn to LinkedIn and CV databases to discover talent. Since it would be virtually impossible to screen every profile, hiring managers depend on keyword searches to narrow down the field. Thus, it is in a job seekers best interest to do everything possible to be found.Resume and LinkedIn profile writer Kelly Donovan notes that recruiters often look for people with specific job titles or duties, so stating yours in a way that maximizes chances of a match can be crucial. Im not advising fabricating a job title, but rather listing the official title, followed by some keywords or a short description. For example, you might put Senior Project Manager- leading strategic digital marketing campaigns. LinkedIn allows for up to 100 characters in a job title field, so you have room for keywords that can help recruiters find you.2. In Your Resume to Make It Through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)Technology enables employers to screen candidates to highlight those who seem most promising. The employer programs the ATS to look for certain valuable words and phrases within each candidates cover letter and resume, and those who score well move on. While this method helps hiring managers deal with the vast number of applications received, it also puts preskoranvers on job seekers to make sure their material isnt eliminated before it even makes it to human eyes.To increase the odds of selecting the right keywords and phrases, tailor each applica tion. When applying for a job, the best way to locate the most appropriate keywords is within the job posting itself, says Adrienne Tom of Career Impressions. Job postings detail unique job requirements, so job seekers should analyze each posting carefully to identify descriptive and informative words. Highlight any informative words or unique role requirements, and then work these keywords into your career communications or online profiles.3. In Your Cover Letter to Catch a Hiring Managers AttentionEven if your application doesnt pass through an ATS, keywords still can play a large role in whether or not you get considered for the position. As noted by Jeremy Schifeling, CEO of Break into Tech, menschenwrdig brains love them too. Because recruiters are often considering hundreds of candidates a day, they dont have time to really understand the nuance of your profile. Instead, they need to make snap judgement about whether youre qualified in 10-15 seconds. So seeing all of the keywo rds theyre looking for lets their brain make a split-second decision Check, check, and check. This guys in.However, dont let a focus on keywords keep you from presenting interesting material. Employers want to see the important qualities they desire in context throughout your cover letter and resume, not as a list of words. Keywords may help you get a foot in the door, but stories, descriptions, and solid evidence of your potential will land you a seat at the interview table.Readers, do you use keywords in your job search to get better results? What keywords do you focus on? Lets us know below