Why Keyword Search For Resumes is the Best Thing Ever

Every industry gets smarter and smarter with each passing year. New methods and technologies emerge constantly, driving progress and innovation across spheres. In some instances, these developments are obvious—just take a look at the cars on the roads now compared to just five years ago. In other cases, the shift is not as obvious but no less impactful.

For employers, the ability to use recruiting software to search for keywords in résumés has been revolutionary. It saves the organization countless hours examining applications that end up not making the cut, and fast-tracking those résumés with the right stuff.

But this trend can also help savvy candidates get noticed and present their résumés in a flattering light. With proper research, applicants who possess the right experience can leverage keywords to ensure their résumés get the attention they deserve.

Time is money
One of the most sure-fire ways to improve in any industry is to eliminate wasted time. By streamlining processes, companies can divert resources and attention to more pressing matters. The recruitment process has plenty of room for improvement.

Organizations can receive hundreds or even thousands of résumés for any given position. It’s someone's job to sift through these stacks of applications and determine which ones, if any, are worth considering. Pre-screen questionnaires can narrow down the candidates, but still may not be enough to cut the résumé pile down to a select few. Reviewing résumés that don't yield strong candidates amounts to wasted time.

Instead, organizations that use hiring management software to examine the résumés with the right keywords can expedite the entire hiring process. Keywords indicate an applicant has specific traits and skills—plus, it shows he or she knows how to write a good résumé, which can also be a trait in and of itself.

Keywords are the key to a good résumé.

Stand out from the crowd
This keyword optimization doesn't necessarily make it harder for candidates to land a job with the right company. One might think keyword searches will keep solid applicants from getting noticed—but that line of thinking is flawed. If a candidate doesn't know how to use language to boost his or her résumé, he or she might not be such a good candidate.

The best job-seekers know this: presentation and language are important tools. All applicants need to do to optimize their résumés for keyword search for applicant tracking sofware is learn about the industry, ask people who work in that sector, and use resources like Forbes to find out what managers want to see. Those are pieces of advice that extend beyond the realm of résumé keywords and apply to any aspect of a job search.

If both employers and candidates use keywords correctly, the right applicants will rise to the top and benefit all those involved. Organizations want the best talent, but they don't want to have to go through a painstaking and tedious process to find them. Similarly, job-seekers want a fair shot at an interview—and knowing how to use keywords can give both parties what they need.

For more information on on how to attract top talent and improve the recruitment process, check out “The Cream of the Crop: How to Build Pre-Screen Questions to Find the Right Applicant."