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If you have heard nothing else about compiling a resume and cover letter, you are bound to have heard that it is essential to include key words. Key words vary from industry to industry and sometimes from job to job within the same industry. Including key words servers four main functions:
It indicates to an employer/recruitment professional that you either have experience in, or a good understanding of, the industry and the position It enables you to mirror back to an employer/recruitment professional their wants and needs and shows them that you have read the advertisement and understand their requirements Sometimes the first person who views your resume is a receptionist or other administrative staff member who has been asked to only pass on resumes with specific information. The right key words can count in such as situation In this day of increasing technology, some companies are utlising scanning software to sift through the resumes they receive. First, your hard copy is scanned and saved into a specific directory or your emailed copy is saved to the directory. Key words are keyed into the OCR program, which is instructed to only bring up resumes with these specific words.
There are a number of ways to go about inserting the best key words.
First and foremost – if it is your industry it is highly likely that you will know the best key words from every day use. Do read the advertisement VERY carefully. Highlight just what the advertiser has requested, then work these words in to your cover letter and resume. If you are not too sure, read industry related publications, or visit web sites. Have a look at other advertisements for the same kind of position. Sometimes, stating the obvious, is what is needed. If you are going for a sales position key words such as Territory Management and Goal Oriented would be strong contenders for inclusion. If you are in the administrative/management field, key words such as Organisation and Motivation and Direction would be strong choices.
With all the variety of the English language, there is no excuse for a bland resume.
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