The Power Of Keywords In Your Social Networking Profiles & Online Resumes

If you’re in the midst of a job transition or job search, you must become familiar with the keywords and phrases that best align with your target profession, role and industry. Then, you should include these keywords and phrases in your job search documents, both online and offline. These documents include your social networking profiles, online resumes, personal blogs and websites.

Why? Recruiters and hiring managers use keywords to source candidates online. Whether they access a resume database on a job board like Monster.com, use the Advanced Search function on LinkedIn & Twitter or even a search engine like Google, they leverage position specific keywords and phrases to narrow down their results and zero in on the best candidates.

In addition, when you apply for jobs online and upload your resume, your application and attachments often go through a computerized screening process that does the keyword searching electronically.

Job Seekers Use Keywords Too!

To better understand this process, think about how you search online job boards or job aggregators for job postings. You go to a website (ex. Indeed, Careerbuilder, Monster, Dice), you enter a series of keywords and choose some job specific criteria such as location, industry and level.

After you hit enter, you’re presented with a series of job postings. Some are very relevant to your search and others may not be the best match. Most likely, you click on and view the job postings that best match your specific needs.

When recruiters (or their computerized assistants) are looking for candidates with your unique set of qualifications, experience, training and education, you want to show up in these search results.

How To Find The Job Search Keywords  & Phrases For Your Target Role

One of the best ways to find the keywords and phrases that best align with your target profession, role or industry is to read updated job descriptions that match. For example, if you want a Sales Management role in Healthcare Software, go to an online job board and search for jobs like that. Find 10, very well written job descriptions and cut and paste them on to a “personal keywords document”. Print the document off and read through it with a highlighter in your hand.

As you complete your review, start highlighting the words and phrases that keep getting repeated. Then, type up the list of the top 10-15 that rose to the top.

There are also a number of great books on this topic. One book that I use frequently when crafting online messaging is called, “Best KeyWords for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews” by Wendy Enelow. You can get a used copy for as little as $2-.

Once you have your list, go back to your job search documentation (both online and offline) and update the verbiage, including these keywords and phrases where they make sense.

If you have the time and ability, you should consider tweaking your resume and cover letter for every, individual job you apply for, as the keywords will vary based on the company. For example, if you are a Human Resources Analyst, you might work on “compensation plans” at one company and “incentive plans” at another. The closer your keywords match, the more likely your resume will be found amongst the hundreds of applicants.

Be Authentic

Regardless of the keywords and phrases for your desired position, you should present yourself in an authentic, honest manner. Choose the verbiage that best matches your unique and impressive qualifications, experience, training and education.

One last point..

Using the right keywords is just one step in a larger job search strategy and plan, which includes powerful interviewing skills, effective networking, building your online brand etc. But, every little step counts!

Best of luck in your job search!

Copyright November 2009, Marci Reynolds, All Rights Reserved