Use Job Search Keywords to Land Your Next Gig

Use Job Search Keywords to Land Your Next GigUse Job Search Keywords to Land Your Next Gig319Looking for a way to crack the code when reading job descriptions? Look for the keywords When applying for jobs, its important to use job search keywords designed for that industry, and in particular, that specific job posting. The keywords used frequently within job descriptions will be the same words and phrases that employers are looking for in your job application.Grammarly analyzed 500 job postings with the top 100 most profitable companies in the United States and found specific language being used in job listings. These specific words could help you maximize your keyword usage and land your next gig.Check out these tips on job search keywordsfromGrammarly (and from , too) to make your job application land your next gigFocus on the job.Companies are looking for employees who want to build a career with their organization, who believe in their mission, and want to be a vibrant part of th eir company culture. When creating your application, choose keyword-rich words such as job and career rather than work. These words will catch the readers eye and show that you are looking for a long-term career instead of next months paycheck.Avoid keyword stuffing.Sure, youve been able to identify the keywords in the job description. That doesnt mean your application should be full of them, though. Keyword stuffing can actually have the opposite effect and make your application look questionable rather than qualified. Add in the keywords as they make sense in your titel letter and resume. That way, your application will appear mora natural and honest- and less like youre just trying to beat the applicant tracking system.Stick to the skills.If youre unsure of where to add in some keywords, the skills section is a great place to list them. That said, like the previous tip suggests, you dont want your skills to look like a keyword dumping ground. Make sure that your skills match the keywords, and make sure that youre as specific as possible to impress a potential employer.Highlight your experience.Sure, every section on your resume is important. However, employers tend to focus first on a candidates work experience. After all, it will be your past experience that theyll look at to determine your ability to perform the duties of the job youre applying for. Since the experience portion of your resume is so critical, it makes sense to add in some rich keywords into that section as well.Make it about the team.Smart companies truly care whether their employees can work well together. When writing your cover letter and resume, dont just focus on the tasks you have excelled at. Share team successes and how you worked within those teams. This is especially important for companies that have a strong company culture, and for remote businesses that rely on their workers ability to collaborate well virtually. You can use keywords like mentored, trained, or even accomplishe d to show what you and your former colleagues achieved together without using the overly clichd term team player.Dont dismiss your degree.Although some companies arent all that interested in candidates who have a college degree, many still require it. If you have a college degree, include it in your resume. (Note If its been some time since you graduated college, dont include the year of your graduation. That way, you can avoid possible age discrimination that can sometimes occur during the initial phase of screening job applicants.) While you certainly shouldnt make your degree the highlight of your job application, using the keyword degree can snag you some attention.Choose the right adjectives.During their search, the team at Grammarly found certain adjectives that companies frequently embed in their job postings. These adjectives and their synonyms can help your application stand out to an HR professional.StrongTechnicalResponsibleFunctionalStrategicExcellentCompetitiveCreativeE nergeticEffectiveSuccessfulUsing these adjectives can make your application stronger and more attractive to a potential employer.Wish you could talk through your job search and career questions with someone?SIGN UP FOR CAREER COACHINGJennifer Parris contributed to this post.This is a version of a post that was