What is the Secret to Resume Success?

In today's job market, some hiring managers receive hundreds, if not thousands of resumes for each available position, causing many resumes to be overlooked or discarded by applicant tracking software. What's the secret to getting your resume past this stage and into the hands of a human being? In a word: keywords. Here is some advice on how to use keywords to your advantage.

Tailor Your Resume to Each Job

"You should absolutely adapt your resume for each job you're applying to," says Jenna Mucha, talent community manager for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Hiring managers can spot a generic, mass-produced resume in a heartbeat. Take the time to review the company's website and job description to determine exactly what kind of candidate the company is seeking, and edit your resume accordingly.

Determine the Right Keywords to Use

The first place to look for clues on which keywords to use is the job description. Employers are giving you a cheat sheet on the exact skills and qualifications they are seeking, so review the job description carefully, and incorporate the keywords you see the most right into your resume. You can also look up similar positions at other companies on Monster, LinkedIn or CareerBuilder to view a list of common responsibilities and desired traits and qualifications. Just make sure the keywords you use describe your actual experience and qualifications. Never add keywords to your resume just for the sake of adding them; you want to represent yourself as honestly and accurately as possible.

Use Keywords Throughout Your Resume

Using keywords in your resume requires some skill and finesse. You shouldn't artificially insert a keyword in random places because applicant-tracking software searches for keywords within a relevant context. Think about how the keywords you've chosen relate to your own experience, and try to arrange them in multiple places throughout your resume to heighten their relevancy. Make sure a keyword fits and flows naturally in that section of your resume.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

"Keywords are important, but quantifying your experience alongside those keywords to add credible context and to differentiate yourself is equally as important," advises Christy Childers, global employer brand manager for Dropbox. If you want to display your initiative, for instance, spruce it up with additional details: "Took initiative on establishing and maintaining an employee relations committee from 2011 to 2015" sounds a lot more credible than "Takes initiative." Wherever you can, back up your claims with concrete data such as statistics and dollar amounts.

Keywords are a crucial part of your resume and application, especially if you apply to jobs online or regularly post your resume to online career boards. Make keywords work for you by tailoring your resume to each job, determining the right mix of keywords to use, adding them in the right places and quantifying your accomplishments.

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