How to Use Job Description Keywords on Your Resume

I just discovered why my client wasn't getting any interviews. She was using the wrong keywords. For 8 months, she'd been applying to "Digital Marketing Manager" roles. Her resume said: "Marketing Specialist with expertise in online advertising and social media management." The problem? Recruiters weren't searching for "online advertising." They were searching for "PPC." They weren't looking for "social media management." They were looking for "paid social." Her skills were perfect. Her language was wrong. Here's what we changed: ❌ "Online advertising" → ✅ "Google Ads, Facebook Ads, PPC" ❌ "Social media management" → ✅ "Paid social, organic social, community management" ❌ "Data analysis" → ✅ "Google Analytics, conversion tracking, ROI optimization" ❌ "Content creation" → ✅ "Content marketing, copywriting, A/B testing" Within 2 weeks: 5 interview requests. Same person. Same skills. Different keywords. Here's what most people don't understand about ATS systems: They're not smart. They're literal. If the job posting says "Salesforce" and your resume says "CRM software," you won't match. If they want "project management" and you wrote "managed projects," you're invisible. The ATS doesn't care about synonyms. It cares about exact matches. How to keyword-optimize your resume in 10 minutes: 1. Copy 5 job postings for your target role 2. Highlight the repeated technical terms 3. Count which skills appear most frequently 4. Replace your generic terms with their specific language 5. Use their exact phrasing, not your interpretation Stop writing your resume in your language. Start writing it in their language. Because the best resume in the world is useless if the ATS can't find it. Your job isn't to be creative with vocabulary. Your job is to speak the same language as the job posting. Need help identifying the right keywords for your industry? I'm offering FREE resume audits this week where I'll analyze 10 resumes and discuss all the gaps. Comment and send me your resume. Stop being invisible. Start being searchable. #Keywords #ATS #Resume #JobSearch #GetFound #ResumeWriting

You applied to 100+ jobs but no interviews? Here's what's actually happening. Your experience is valuable. You're just invisible. Let me explain why, and how to fix it. When you apply online, your resume goes into a database called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Think of it like a massive filing cabinet. Now here's the key: Some recruiters don't read every resume. They search. Just like you search Google, they search their database: "Python AND data analysis" "SAFe AND agile transformation" "Tableau AND dashboard" If your resume doesn't have their exact search terms, you’re making it harder to get discovered. You're not rejected. You're just not found. But here's the secret: The job description often tells you EXACTLY what keywords they'll search for. It's like having the answer key. Example from a real job posting: If they say "Experience with Snowflake required"... → They'll search "Snowflake" → Make sure you write "Built data warehouse in Snowflake…" Not "cloud database" or "modern data platform." Use their exact words: Snowflake. I've mapped out 80 keywords that get candidates noticed in 2025: Top searches happening right now: • Python, TensorFlow, LangChain (AI roles) • Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker (tech leadership) • Power BI, Tableau, SQL (data leadership) • SAFe, Agile, DevOps (transformation roles) Your action plan: 1. Read the job description carefully 2. Circle every tool, platform, or methodology mentioned 3. Add those EXACT terms to your resume (if you have that experience) 4. Use them naturally in your accomplishments Example: Instead of: "Led team through digital modernization" You say: "Led SAFe agile transformation using ServiceNow and Jira, reducing delivery time by 40%" You have the experience. Now make it searchable. Your next role isn't rejecting you. It just hasn't found you yet. You’ve got this! 💡 Save this cheat sheet of 80 searchable keywords ♻️ Share to help someone in your network Follow me for more insider recruiting insights

If you're applying to jobs and not hearing back — this might be why. As a career coach, I’ve seen so many talented candidates get ignored. Not because they weren’t qualified. But because they didn’t use the right words. Here’s the truth: Recruiters use Boolean search in LinkedIn and ATS platforms. We literally type in keywords from the job description to find candidates. If your resume or profile doesn’t include those keywords… We may never even see you. Here’s how to fix it: Step 1: Find 3–5 job posts you’d love → Look at how they describe tools, responsibilities, outcomes Step 2: Write down repeating keywords → Examples: “lifecycle marketing,” “Agile methodology,” “SQL,” “talent acquisition” Step 3: Use those keywords naturally in your resume & LinkedIn → Not copy-paste — apply them where they match your real experience Instead of: “Worked on email campaigns” Say: “Managed lifecycle campaigns using Hubspot and A/B testing — improved retention by 18%” Where to use them: → Resume summary → Top job bullets → LinkedIn headline & About section → Skills section This isn’t gaming the system. It’s helping your skills get seen. Have you tried this strategy before? Did it work for you? Let’s share tips in the comments #JobSearch #ResumeTips #LinkedInStrategy #ATSResume #CareerAdvice #BooleanSearch #RecruiterTips #JobHunt #PersonalBranding #VisibilityMatters

Tailoring your resume to align with a specific job description can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. At Relentless, we do this for candidates by inserting a “pitch” that’s tailored to every job at the top of each resume. This feature alone increased our interview conversion rate across our candidates by 10 to 30 percent. I’ve attached a picture of how it looks so you can copy it. Notice that: 1. We insert the name of the company and role title into the resume in multiple places. This shouts “Hey I took the extra time to personalize my resume to this job post!!!” 2. We use a 5 bullet point argument to assert why the candidate is a terrific fit for the role. If you’ve been accepted into Relentless, don’t worry, we handle this for you. If not, here’s how you can do a manual version of this on your own: Step 1: Analyze the Job Description Before you start tweaking your resume, it’s crucial to understand what the employer is looking for. Carefully read the job description and identify key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. Pay close attention to: - Job Title: Ensure your resume reflects your suitability for this role. - Responsibilities: Note the primary duties and think about your related experiences. - Skills: Highlight the skills the employer values most. - Keywords: Identify industry-specific terms and keywords used in the job description. Step 2: Highlight Your Relevant Experience Once you have a clear understanding of the job requirements, review your resume to identify experiences that align with the job description. Focus on positions where you performed similar tasks or used relevant skills. Step 3: Re-Write Your Bullet Points Re-write your bullet points to mirror the language used in the job description. Example Transformation for a customer success manager role Job Description: - Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers to ensure high levels of satisfaction and retention. - Identify and resolve customer issues and concerns promptly. - Collaborate with internal teams to improve the customer experience. Original Resume Bullet Points: - Handled customer relationships. - Resolved customer issues. Transformed Resume Bullet Points: - Developed and maintained strong relationships with over 50 customers, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate and a 90% retention rate. - Identified and resolved customer issues within 24 hours, leading to a 30% reduction in customer complaints. Want more resume help? Check this out: https://lnkd.in/g7GkbrHs