Last week, we launched a LinkedIn poll to continue to find out about your CV habits. Our poll asked whether you add key words from job advertisements to your CV?
With over 150 respondents, we learnt that 63% do match key words from job advertisements to their personal skillset on their CV. Whilst over half of respondents do match keywording, an astonishing 37% do not.
Why should you add key words from job advertisements to your CV?
Adding key words from job advertisements to your CV is an important way of reflecting your suitability for the role to the employer. Selecting the appropriate key words that match your own personal skillset is an easy way to make sure you are talking about your area of expertise and signposting your areas of knowledge that fit the requirements of the role.
With limited time available for employers to consider individual CV’s, the inclusion of key words from the job advertisement is a useful way of helping your CV stand out in the crowd. Identifying your ability to meet certain criteria within the job role aids your chance of being successful in being shortlisted for interview.
Key words in your CV should be an addition to your information that allows you to further describe how you are using your selected key words in your current role and experiences. Key words should be more than just a definitive list and should offer opportunity to be descriptive of your skills, so that employers are immediately and effectively informed of your knowledge and capabilities for their advertised role.
When describing your skills using key words, consider using the STAR technic. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and offers a clear process for ensuring you are being constructive in your descriptions.
Top Tips
When selecting key words from the advertisement, make sure you are being honest and realistic in your approach, ensuring the selected wording is an accurate reflection of your abilities.
You should also ensure the selected key words are easy to find for the employer. Often a designated skills section on your CV, and including key wording within your cover letter, is an easy way for recruiters to see your abilities quickly and clearly.
To find out more on how to optimise your CV, take a look at our candidate advice:
