3 Things every job seeker needs to know about keywords

Be specific: Broad keywords such as "marketing" or "accounting" don't tell recruiters and hiring managers much about what you've done. You could have had any role within those departments and the reader wouldn't know which position you held. Plus, the system is probably programmed to look beyond those words, since just about everybody applying for a marketing position will have marketing on their resume. Better move: Find ways to incorporate specific terms and titles like "Accounts receivable," "Head of Market Research," or "Digital Media Recruiter" to increase possibilities of your resume or profile being found.

Provide context: Applicant tracking systems are getting smarter and looking for context. Strategically work keywords into your stories. Provide examples of what you've accomplished around the keyword. Use the keyword as a lead to an achievement bullet. If you do include a keyword in your "skills" section, make sure that skill shows up elsewhere on your resume.

Don't overdo it: You can overdo it with keywords. Once your materials get past the computer, they have to get past the first reader who further narrows the options. If your resume is so packed with keywords that it's difficult to understand, you'll need to find the right balance. Ask a colleague to read it. If they don't understand after reading your resume one time, you need to revise.