Resumes: Keywords (Page 1 of 3)	
Resumes: Keywords	
WHAT ARE  KEYWORDS?
Do employers see your resume when you submit your resume online?  Unfort
unately, no.  When you 
submit your resume online for a job opening, most resumes are screened (
reviewed and selected) by a 
computer that performs a "keyword search" before a resume is given to
 the employer.  Keywords are 
important words or phrases (group of words) related to the job opening	 that help the employer find the 	
best job seeker to hire.
To perform a keyword search, the computer program: 1) SEARCHES resumes to find if correct keywords 
are used in the resumes.  2) SELECTS resumes that contain correct keywo
rds as 	keyword-match resume.	  	
3) Gives keyword-match resumes to the hiring employer.  4) REJECTS resumes that do not contain correct 
keywords for the job opening.  THEREFORE, your online resume needs to pass the 	Keyword Test	 to be 	
forwarded to the hiring employer.  What are the correct keywords to use?  The correct keywords depend 
upon the job.  There are no correct keywords for all jobs.  For example, a job opening 
for a nurse will 
require different keywords than a job opening for a mechanic. 	
#1 — TO FIND KEYWORDS — READ JOB OPENING!
You must carefully read the 	job opening advertisement	 to find 	
keywords.  Keywords include name of 	skills	 required, 	education 	
required, 	software programs	 workers must know, 	certificates	 or 	
college degrees 	required, and 	technical words	 that apply to that job — 	
For example, "computer diagnostic equipment" and "pneumatic wrench" 
for the job of mechanic —  "merchandise" and "inventory" for the job 
of retail sales worker.  1) Read the following job opening for Bank Loan 
Officer. 2) Then, read the keywords to use when you apply for the job of 
Bank Loan Officer.	
JOB OPENING FOR BANK LOAN OFFICER
• 	Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 
Outlook.	
• 	Ability to read business financial statements.	
• 	Customer service skills.	
• 	Verbal (spoken) and written communication skills.	
• 	Telephone sales experience preferred.	
• 	Two years work experience in banking position.	
Keywords to use on your resume and cover letter are:
• 	Bank Loan Officer	
• 	Microsoft Word	
• 	Excel	
• 	PowerPoint	
• 	Outlook	
• 	Customer service skills	
• 	Communication skills	
• 	Telephone sales experience	
• 	Read financial statements

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#2 — TO FIND KEYWORDS — USE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK	  	
Go to the Occupational Outlook Handbook website (	www.bls.gov/ooh) 	to read job descriptions.	  Discover 	
skill and education keywords that describe the type of job in the job op
ening for which you want to apply.  
For job of computer technician, you read words like: troubleshoot, netwo
rk, coding.  For nurse, you read 
words like: patient care, record, catheters, intravenous drips.  For gra
phic designer, you read words like: 	
design layouts, select colors, font, Photoshop.  
#3 — TO FIND KEYWORDS —  USE YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE
Write down keywords to describe the 	skills	 you used — and 	job duties	 you 	
performed — for your paid and unpaid jobs.  For job of restaurant cre
w, you 
can use words like: cashier, customer service, food prep, stock supplies. 
What keywords do I use in my cover letter and resume?
It takes hard work to create a cover letter and resume that can pass the
 	
Keyword Test.  Here is the work you need to do.  FIRST: Make a list of the keywords used in the job 
opening advertisement.  SECOND: Make a list of the keywords you discover
ed on the OOH website for 
that job.  THIRD: Make a list of the keywords that describe your work experience.  
FOURTH:  Rewrite 
your resume and cover letter to include most of the keywords from your first, second, and third lists.  
FIFTH:  Then, your cover letter and resume will pass the Keyword Test!
Try to use the keywords in an "organic" way (natural way of talking) in your 
cover letter and resume.  The keywords need to 	flow naturally	 into the words 	
of your resume and cover letter.  And, keyword need to 	flow throughout 	the 	
resume and cover letter.  For example, include some keywords in headings and 
other keywords in the middle paragraphs.  	
Resumes: Keywords (Page 2 of 3)	
1. Do employers see your resume when you 
 submit your resume online?
2. a) Define "screened"?  b) What does the 
 computer perform before resume is given to 
 the employer?  c) What are keywords?
3. To perform keyword search:  a) For what does 	
the computer search?  b) Which resumes are 
selected?  c) Which resumes are given to hiring 
employer?  d) Which resumes are rejected? 	
4. a) Upon what do correct keywords depend?  
 b) Are keywords for nurse the same as 
 keywords for mechanic?
5. a) What must you carefully read to find 
 keywords?  b) List 6 things keywords include.
6. List examples of keywords for mechanic.
7. List 5 keywords to use on your resume for the 	
job opening of bank loan officer.	
QUICK CHECK:	8. Where do you go to read job descriptions?
9. List one keyword for:  a) computer technician. 	
b) nurse.  c) graphic designer.	
10. Write down keywords to describe what 2 things 	
from your paid and unpaid jobs?	
11. What does it take to create a resume that can 	
pass the Keyword Test?	
12. a) What do you do FIRST?  b) What do you do 	
SECOND?  c) What do you do THIRD?	
13. Why do you rewrite your resume?
14. What does it mean to use the keywords in an 	
"organic" way?	
15. What 2 things do the keywords need to do?
16. a) Do you think it is fair that employers use 	
computers for a Keyword Test and read only 
the resumes that pass the Keyword Test?  	
 b) Give a reason for your answer.
17. Why do you think keywords are important to 	
employers? List one or more reasons.

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tion.	
Keyword  Search Activity	
Directions: From each job description, select keywords and keyword phras
es to include on your resume.  
Keywords and keyword phrases need to flow naturally all through your resume headings and middle para	-	
graphs. 	Note: Use back of this paper if you need more rom to write keywords	
JOB OPENING — GROCERY CLERK
Duties:  	Provide friendly customer service.  Receive product deliveries.  Check a
ccuracy of invoices.  	
Stock and organize shelves.  Maintain stockroom.  Excellent communication skills.  Ability to work as a 
team member.  Assist with the following duties as needed: cashier, customer carry out, cart runs. 
Skills:	  High school diploma.  Reliable.  Dependable.  Able to follow directions.  Able to receive 	
constructive feedback.  Excellent communication skills.  Friendly person
ality.  Ability to multi-task.  
Ability to stay organized.  Excellent customer service.  Positive attitude.  Punctual.  Re
liable.
I can include the following 8 keywords or keyword phrases on my resume for Grocery Clerk: 
 
Duties Keywords: _______________________________________________________
___	 	
Skills Keywords: _______________________________________________________
____
JOB OPENING — SALES ASSOCIATE
Duties:	  Meet sales goals.  Upsell warranty contracts for electronics.  Provide
 prompt, courteous 	
customer service.  Sell products by demonstrations.  Instruct customers 
in product operation.  Maintain 
store by dusting, cleaning, organizing, stocking shelves, ordering products.  Process customer payment
s.    
Skills: 	 Sales experience.  Customer service skills.  Basic math skills.  Ability to meet goals.  Enthusiastic.  	
Friendly.  Positive energy.  Interpersonal skills.  Teamwork skills.  Communication skills.  Enjoy working 
with people.  Ability to work flexible schedules.
I can include the following 8 keywords or keyword phrases on my resume for Sales Associate:
 
Duties Keywords: _______________________________________________________
___	 	
 
Skills Keywords: _______________________________________________________
____
JOB OPENING — RESTAURANT CREW
Duties: 	 Friendly greeting techniques.  Warm, genuine smile.  Operate cash register.  Process payments.  	
Keep work area clean and organized.  Good phone etiquette.  Work multiple stations:  counter, food prep, 
cook, dining room attendant.  Able to work evening shifts.   
Skills:	  Ability to make decisions under pressure.  Communication skills.  Custom
er service skills.  Abil	-	
ity to listen and remember information.  Teamwork skills.  Reliable. Human relations skills.  Dependable.  
Punctual.  Positive attitude.  Ability to speak Spanish is not necessary but an added plus.
I can include the following 8 keywords or keyword phrases on my resume for Restaurant Crew:
Duties Keywords: _______________________________________________________
___	 	
 
Skills Keywords: _______________________________________________________
____	
Resumes: Keywords (Page 3 of 3)