Definition of resume key words and key phrases: Looking beyond just resumes, key words and key phrases can be defined as unique search terms that make it easy to find documents or websites you’re searching for that contain those specific words or phrases.
When it comes to key words for resumes, certain words / phrases (often found in the job description) have to be on the resume or an automated resume screener won’t find your resume. It’s that simple. And human resume screeners also have those words in mind when searching through or glancing through dozens of dozens of resumes trying to find ones that match what they’ve been asked to find.
So if you’re a Web Developer, for example, and you don’t mention that you specifically know Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) even though they mention it in the job description – say your experience is rather light in general – you might be overlooked completely, since there are so many people with some kind of web development experience. But if they spot your specialized Ajax experience in the resume, even with only light-to-moderate experience (depending on how many other resumes they got) you may be called in. (Good to show a strong accomplishment related to that if at all possible and highlight it in your cover letter.)
Your resume still needs to be more than a bunch of keywords since it gets seen by human eyes down the road. (Resumes hyperloaded with key words can look bogus, so be careful that it’s all legit and helps build a picture of you and your strengths – and not just disparate skills designed to get selected by a computer.)
To make it through at least the first gauntlet, figure out what key words will best serve you and make sure you add them (more than once if possible and legit) with strong related accomplishments if you have them. (Again, check job description since often the person who wrote that provides the systems people with key words or puts it in herself/himself.)
For more on this subject:
Beating the Resume Black Hole: Finding the Right Keywords for Your Resume (Step 1)
Beating the Resume Black Hole: Using the Right Keywords on Your Resume (Step 2)
Using the Right Keywords in Your Email Message (Step 3)
Who the Heck is Screening Your Resume?
What is an Automated Resume Screener?
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