How do I find powerful keywords for my Resume and LinkedIn?

  • Post published:15/03/2023
  • Reading time:6 mins read

Woman eye in enlarge glassEver asked yourself if keywords matter in your Resume and LinkedIn? The short answer: Keywords are as important in Resume/LinkedIn as they are on Google.

Searching for information on Google, using your own choice of words in the search box, is quite similar to how recruiters search for candidates on the internet, on LinkedIn, and in their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Almost all companies use ATS to find the right candidates

According to JobScan, 494 US Fortune 500 corporations have an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). That is an astounding 98.9% of the world’s most successful companies.

An Applicant Tracking System is a software program or app that companies are using to organize the entire recruitment process from receiving resumes all the way through interviews, assessments, job-offer, to placement and on-boarding.

Google receives about 3 million applications per year, Apple and Microsoft about 2 million each.

And there you have the reasons why companies go for the ATS app solution rather than hiring an army of people to read through resumes.

Consider power words & resume action verbs

IMG-0456As a job candidate, it’s important to include relevant keywords in your resume and LinkedIn to help be noticed by hiring companies.

Here are some tips on how to find the right keywords to include in your resume:

  • Review the job posting: The job posting will often list the key qualifications, skills, and experience the employer is looking for. Make a list of the keywords and phrases that appear in the posting and include them in your profiles.
  • Research industry-specific keywords: Conduct research on industry-specific keywords related to your job function or industry. These can be found on industry-related blogs, articles, and job descriptions.
  • Use a keyword generator tool: There are online tools available that can help you identify relevant keywords for your resume. Google this: Keyword generator.
  • Look at LinkedIn profiles of professionals in your field: Reviewing LinkedIn profiles of professionals in your field can help you identify commonly used keywords and phrases.
  • Use action verbs: Use action verbs to describe your achievements and experiences. This not only makes your resume more engaging but also helps with search engine optimization.

By including relevant keywords in your resume, you increase the chances of your resume being selected by an ATS and noticed by hiring managers.

Remember to also make sure your resume is tailored to the job posting and highlights your most relevant skills and experience.

Advanced: Use Word Cloud for best keywords

Word CloudUsing a word cloud to find keywords for your Resume and LinkedIn can be a helpful way to identify the most relevant and important skills and experiences to highlight.

Choose a tool: There are several free online tools that can generate a word cloud based on a block of text.

I personally use www.jasondavies.com/wordcloud/ – but other options include WordClouds.com, WordArt.com, and TagCrowd.com.

Gather job postings: Look for job postings in your field or industry that interest you. These job postings will provide insight into the skills and experiences that employers are looking for.

Copy and paste job postings: Copy and paste the job postings into the word cloud generator. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the text of your current CV into the generator.

Analyze the word cloud: The word cloud will display the most frequently occurring words in the text. Look for words that appear larger and more prominently in the cloud.

These are likely to be the most important keywords that you should incorporate into your profiles.

Incorporate keywords into your CV: Once you have identified the most important keywords, make sure to incorporate them into your profiles.

This can include adding them to your resume’s Career Summary or LinkedIn’s About.

Tom Sorensen

Tom Sorensen is an executive search veteran with over 25 years of experience recruiting in Asia, Europe, and Africa. He has worked in executive search in Thailand since 2003 and is recognized as one of the country’s top recruiters and most profiled headhunters.