What Keywords Should You Be Using In Your CV?

By R S Ali

Feb 20, 2016 07:14 AM EST

Keywords are all the rage nowadays. Whether its SEO keywords or words that hook a reader, in fiction or in business, it is all about the keywords.

But what keywords should you be using in your CV? After all, job searches are all about telling your employer that you are the right fit for the job. The job market is a competitive one and you need your resume to stand out.

There are many different kinds of keywords that can be used to maximize your chances of getting the job you want. This can include words and phrases linked with your field or about skills that you would use in your job.

Here are three ways you can do that, from US News:

1. Use industry-specific register.

Jargon speaks of authority, and authority impresses potential employers. Whether you're writing out job description on LinkedIn or listing your objectives on your resume, use specific terms that sound professional as well as demonstrate your expertise. However, take care not to go over the top. Define your acronyms. Run your CV or professional profile by someone not familiar with your field to make sure you haven't made it too technical or obscure to understand.

2. What skills do people usually in your position, in your field have? List those.

Look at your job description. If you were at work, what terms describe the tasks you would be doing everyday? Use them. Examples of this for a sales representative would be sales quotas, key performance indicators, strategy, business development, leadership, customer service etc.

3. If you are not a word expert, the World Wide Web is here to help.

Not all of us are born writers, which is where the Internet can help. Word clouds, which show you the most commonly found words in a document in larger font, and then words used fewer times in smaller font, can be very helpful. Sites like wordle.net or wordclouds.com can work great.

That said; do not forget to be smart about using keywords. Flooding your resume with keywords is not going to help you get a job, not even the right keywords. After your resume is assessed by a computer system (if it is) it is very likely going to go to a human. Don't forget to list relevant experience and skills, and be honest, clear and professional. Show your employer you're the right person for the job!