KEYWORDS are the tools that unlock the door to an interview, so knowing why and how they are important is crucial to the success of your CV when you apply for a job.

CV writing in the 21st century is an art and a science, you need to write a concise, well-constructed CV in a business-like format and you need to use the right language.

To give your CV the best chance of being selected by ATS (applicant tracking systems) you need to know a little about how this process works. ATS parse CVs to gather data and rank the CVs in order of relevance. They are screening for name (in a plain format), contact details, job titles and keywords relating to the specific role’s job description. If the words are not there, your CV is invisible.

What are keywords in a CV?
In a CV, keywords are specific terms and phrases related to a job and or industry. They reflect the skills, experience and attributes employers seek in a candidate. Keywords can be technical skills or more general competencies.
Both functional and self-management keywords are important because one shows what you can do and the other shows how you fit the person description of a role.

Functional Keywords
These are specific to the tasks and responsibilities associated with the role. They often reflect technical or job-specific skills. For example:

• Technical Skills: "Java programming," "financial modelling," "Adobe Photoshop."
• Industry-Specific Terms: "Agile methodology," "supply chain logistics," "patient care."
• Certifications and Tools: "PMP certified," "Google Analytics," "CRM software."

Functional keywords highlight your ability to perform the core duties of the role and including them ensures the ATS recognises your expertise.

Self-Management Keywords
These reflect your ability to handle work environments and interpersonal relationships. They are crucial for demonstrating workplace readiness. For example:

• Soft Skills: "time management," "adaptability," "problem-solving."
• Leadership and Collaboration: "team player," "mentoring," "cross-departmental collaboration."
• Work Ethic: "self-motivated," "deadline-driven," "detail-oriented."

Self-management keywords are particularly important for roles requiring leadership, teamwork, or client interaction. They showcase your ability to thrive in professional settings.

How to Use Keywords Effectively in Your CV
1. Analyse the Job Description
Carefully review the job posting and identify frequently mentioned skills and responsibilities. Highlight these keywords and incorporate them into your CV where appropriate.

2. Strategically Place Keywords
Integrate keywords into critical sections of your CV, such as:

• Profile or Summary: Use high-impact keywords to immediately capture attention.
• Skills Section: Create a dedicated section listing key competencies.
• Experience Section: Weave keywords into your job responsibilities and key achievements.
• Education and Certifications: Include industry related qualifications.

3. Be Authentic
Avoid "keyword stuffing," which involves overloading your CV with terms in an unnatural way. Instead, focus on demonstrating how you’ve applied these skills in real-life scenarios and achievements.

4. Tailor Your CV for Each Role
Customising your CV for each application is critical to make sure you are speaking directly to that role. Different roles may prioritise different keywords, even within the same industry.

Knowing and Using Keywords is an Investment
Keywords help to unlock the door to an interview when ATS is parsing your CV and when a human is reading it. For the latter, as well as showing your skills, they demonstrate your value and make a compelling case for why you’re the best fit for the job.  So, investing time in optimising your CV’s keywords is time well spent in your search for that dream job.

ATS, or an Applicant Tracking System, is a type of software used by companies and recruiters to speed up the hiring process through partial automation.  It helps them to manage large volumes of job applications by scanning, sorting and filtering CVs based on specific criteria such as keywords, skills and qualifications.

Understanding ATS and how it works can significantly impact the success of failure of your job application, as many companies rely on this software to filter out unqualified candidates before a human ever reviews the application.

How ATS Works
Initial Screening: When you submit a job application, the ATS scans your CV for relevant information based on the job description. It is programmed to look for keywords such as skills, job titles, education and qualifications that match the employer’s requirements.

Ranking and Sorting: The ATS ranks applicants based on how well their CVs match the job description. The higher your CV ranks, the more likely it is to be seen by a recruiter or hiring manager. Low-ranked CVs may not even make it to the next stage.

Data Parsing: ATS breaks down your CV into categories such as work experience, skills, and education and then matches those against predefined criteria. If your CV is not formatted in a way the system can easily read, it may misinterpret or overlook key information.

Keyword Matching: ATS software often includes filters to identify CVs that include specific keywords or phrases from the job description. For example, if the job requires experience with “Python programming,” but your CV doesn’t include that phrase (even if you have the experience), the ATS may not rank your CV highly.

Tips for Making Your CV ATS-Friendly
Use Job Description Keywords: Study the job description carefully and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into your CV.

Keep the Formatting Simple: To avoid falling foul of the ATS use standard fonts (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) and avoid images, borders, shading and graphics. Stick to simple section headers like “Work Experience” and “Education”.

Avoid Headers and Footers: Some ATS may have difficulty scanning information in the header or footer of a CV, so keep key information, like contact details, outside these areas.

Focus on Specific Skills: Tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills that the ATS is likely to search for. If you have multiple skill sets, ensure they are clearly listed in a skills section.

Use Standard Job Titles: Where possible, use standard or common job titles that relate to the job you are applying for. If your previous job titles were unconventional, consider tweaking them slightly to reflect more common terminology without misrepresenting your role.

Submit in the Right Format: While some ATS can handle PDFs, others prefer or require Word documents. Always check the job posting or company’s instructions to see if they have a preference.

Include a Skills Section: A dedicated section for skills is often beneficial because ATS systems can easily scan and identify key competencies.

Need to Know…..
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) plays a crucial role in the hiring process, especially for companies that receive a large number of applications.

By optimising your CV for ATS with relevant keywords, simple formatting and customised content for each job application, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and advancing to the interview stage. 
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For more information on how to get your CV up to scratch, contact [email protected]