The Role of Industry-specific Keywords in Resume Writing

The strategic use of industry-specific keywords is a golden resume-writing technique that you must practice if you want to get noticed by potential employers in this digital age. Not every job seeker takes the time to incorporate the right industry-specific keywords into their resumes. This is one of the biggest reasons why 70% of resumes don’t make it past initial screening tests by the ATS.

Why are industry-specific keywords important?

Every industry has its own language. This language contains certain terms, phrases, acronyms, and abbreviations that are commonly used within a particular industry. These keywords help professionals convey messages to each other within the field effectively. But why should you add industry-specific keywords to your resume?

• They help you demonstrate your experience
• They improve the ATS compatibility of your resume
• They enhance the readability of your resume for recruiters
• They ensure that you get through the initial screening tests by bots
• They help show potential employers that you are familiar with the industry
• Hiring managers can easily scan your resume for industry-specific keywords to shortlist you

How can you identify the right keywords for your resume?

Although there are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of industry-specific keywords within a sector, you only need to incorporate a few of them into your resume. Not every keyword used by professionals in your industry will be relevant to your job application. Here’s what you can do to choose the right industry-specific keywords for your resume:

• Use the job description posted by the employer to find specific keywords
• Analyze several job descriptions for your target job title within your industry for keywords
• Use industry publications, white papers, and related websites of professional associations
• Talk to a professional from your target company and discuss industrial jargon to get an update on current terms.

Where should you place industry-specific keywords on your resume?

You can’t just add keywords to one section of your resume and call it quits. If you want to impress the hiring manager and the ATS, your resume should carry the right keywords throughout the document. Some of the best places on your resume to display industry-specific keywords are:

• The professional summary – Ensure that you display some of the most important keywords from the job description within your resume summary statement.
• The skills section – This is the best place on your resume to display a large number of job-related keywords to impress a recruiter.
• The work experience section – You must highlight your professional achievements and career progression using the right keywords here.
• The education section – Certain industry-related keywords from the job description will be about your level of education.
• The achievements section – Planning to create a dedicated achievements section for your resume? Don’t forget to use the right keywords from the job description.