Is it a resume or blog? You might have wondered when somebody told you that keywords are important in a resume. You might have wondered why a normal resume has to be so professionally constructed? Well the answer is as the economy grows so the technology so the process of recruiting. In early days the recruitment used to happen with the recruiters but. Now it's a long process, now there is an ATS system that filters out the resume that matches the specific job they have applied for and then the filtered resumes goes in the hand of the recruiter.
 

So in today's case scenario the keywords plays a crucial role because the ATS system filters the resume based on the ATS keywords that the candidate has put in their resume. The process is simple: the ATS matches the keywords to the job description keywords and if it matches, the resume passes through it. In this block we will talk about how the system works and why it is important to put  ATS keywords in your resume.

How does the ATS system work?

Here is a clear instruction of how application tracking system works in relation to ATS keywords in your resume:-

• The ATS software scans and reads the resume and then extracts the ATS keywords from different sections like skill, experience, education etc.

• Once it extracts the keywords from the resume, it compares those ATS keywords to the job posting that has been done using keywords and matches if it is the same or not.

• Based on this analysis it ranks your resume out of all the resume the company has received for that specific role and effect scores low then your resume will not be selected.

• If your resume ranks high it means it has all the valid ATS keywords that match the job profile and hence will pass through the applicant tracking system.

How to add ATS keywords in a resume?

Here is a guide on how to add ATS keywords in your resume:-

• Go through the job description thoroughly, read the required skill set, qualification or the known tools in that job and mention the specific things in your resume. For example, applying as a software developer to JavaScript skill is mentioned in the job description therefore you mention it in your resume and it will be your ATS keyword.

• In a resume, there are specific sections for different information. Use those sections to use keywords naturally, for example in the skill section use all the keywords related to skills; in the work experience section use the keywords related to soft skills like leadership, teamwork etc.

• Variation is the key to using one keyword frequently in your resume. For example, a keyword like dedication, you can use this frequently by putting it in different synonyms rather than just using dedication as a word.

• Customise your resume each time you apply for different job criteria because every job requirement is different therefore the ATS keywords in those job requirements will be different.

Common mistakes to avoid:-

Here are common mistakes you should avoid while using keywords in your resume:-

• Do not stuff keywords in one line. There are many different keywords available to you, try to make each its own sentence rather than stuffing it all together in one sentence.

• There are few general keywords that are used numerous times in numerous resumes. If you want to stand out or if you want to make your resume stand out, make sure to avoid those irrelevant keywords that make your resume lame.

• Usually candidates put their keywords only in one section or two, that is skill section or work experience section, but if you modify it a little you can use the ATS keywords in each section with different sentence formation.

Conclusion

In today's competitive job market, using the right keywords for resume skills isn’t just a smart move, it’s essential. With applicant tracking systems (ATS) becoming the first gatekeepers in the hiring process, the role of ATS keywords has never been more critical. These keywords help your resume pass the initial screening and reach human recruiters. To make your resume truly stand out, you must customize it for every job by aligning your content with the job description and using variations of key terms throughout all sections. Tools like a resume keyword scanner can help you identify missing or relevant keywords and optimize your chances. Remember, it's not about stuffing terms, it’s about strategically placing the right words in the right places. Done right, ATS keywords can be your resume's ticket to the interview table.