It’s no secret that job searching is relentless. Day after day, ad after ad and email after email, you apply to countless jobs knowing full well it will be a miracle if anybody even glances at your application. Due to the high volume of applicants per job it is extremely vital that you are able to catch the employers attention in just a few seconds.
If your resume or cover letter does not grab the attention of the reader immediately, it will be tossed aside with the other hundreds of neglected candidates. But fear not, there is a simple adjustment you can make to your resumes and cover letters to entice the employer to read on. What is this adjustment you ask? Keywording.
Keywords will be mentioned in the posting primarily in specific job titles desired, required database/software knowledge or specific industry backgrounds. Before you apply, re-read the job ad and decide what the keywords are in the posting. Then tailor your cover letter or resume to mirror those words, naturally as you can. Make sure to only use the terms where they are appropriate. You do not want to sacrifice the natural flow of your application as this could become a detriment to your efforts.
As the employer skims your application, they will recognize the matching keywords from their job ad. This is one of the best ways to stand out and ensure that the employer remembers your name!
A Little Light in the Tunnel of Unemployment 