Keywords in Resumes

I saw a post to a networking group the other day encouraging candidates to include a big grouping of keywords in their resumes. I say no. Here's why:

Although I agree with the thoughts on including key words on resumes due to the automated search processes used today, I don't personally care for the key words section.

Keep in mind, that your resume needs to serve multiple purposes: serve the machines, provide the summary info for the quick screener and provide detail for those that want more.

Kind of a challenge to hit all of those right? and remain clean, readable, well formatted, etc.

I prefer those that include key words in context, ie in the job descriptions, accomplishments etc. Then you can get some idea of how well they know those tools.

Those big buckets of key words are pretty useless in my opinion; they may get the search agent to pull you up, but when I see them my eyes glaze over. How do I tell the difference between someone who saw Java once 4 years ago and someone really good?

Include the buzz words in your positions, explain how and where you used it. One nice trick is to explain the projects, and list the tools used for the project. That way I can tell what you used when and where and for how long. Much more valuable. And if you used it in several different assignments, then I have a pretty good idea you might know it well.

Other Recruiting Firms

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