Tracking System Focuses on Resume Keywords

Resume keywords are the phrases in a resume that HR screeners, recruiters, hiring managers and, most critically, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), look for relative to a specific job opening.

And when ATSs are used, a resume that doesn't have the right combination of keywords may never be seen by human eyes.

When a resume is submitted through a job board, the content is separated and placed into the ATS. The resume loses all of its formatting and becomes plain text within the database. This is why it's best to use a plain-text (ASCII) version of the resume when submitting through job boards, so it's easier for the ATS to work with.

Employers sign on to the ATS and perform keyword searches. For the resume to reach human eyes, it must contain keywords matching the search criteria. When there's a decent match, the employer can choose to view the entire rsum.

Why the resume may be ignored

Most ATS users are savvy enough to perform Boolean searches, meaning combining keywords. If the employer wants someone with project management, technology and quality assurance skills, it could use a search like this:

" 'project management' AND technology AND 'quality assurance' "

Only rsums that have all three exact search terms would be returned.

Using resume keywords

ATS systems are pretty smart. Keywords must be used in the proper context or the ATS might ignore the resume. And job seekers must use keywords throughout the resume , especially if their job search is in the technology industry.

The ATS process, which nearly every employer requires you to follow, is why I recommend also mailing a hard copy directly to the employer -- and there are ways to make that process much easier. I'll talk about that in a later column.

Ken Moore is an internationally certified IT resume writer, former recruiter, and nationally published author. Visit his website, TheResumeBridge.com.

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