© 1996 CV Specialist and its licensors               Professional CV Writing Services !  Privacy Policy  !  Terms and Conditions

www.cvspecialist.org.uk

Links have not been set up on this table as yet.

Blog 2012

Established as CV Specialist Writers in 1996

Phone: 0845 370 9941  or
Phone: 020 3286 7482  NOW!
Mobile/text:  07968121269

Keywords - an enigma to say the least.  With more and more people applying for positions and less positions presently being available many employers are looking to a new tool to assist them in their search for suitable candidates; the Keyword.  Using the “keyword” with up-to-date technology and search criteria employers can now scan hundreds sometimes even thousands of CVs at the click of a button searching for relative criteria, keywords and technical terms.  “But what is a keyword” I hear you ask and how do I define it?  

Specific keywords can be very difficult to define. There is no real way of knowing exactly what your targeted employer is looking for.  He may be seeking buzz words or technical terms used in the particular industry you are targeting; it may be words that they alone use - though this is rarely the case.   He is more likely to be searching for words that emphasise your skills in line with those sought.   If it is not an industry you have worked in before think about your transferable skills and the keywords that would define these.  Clues can sometimes be found in the advertisement; by reading through the recruiter’s website and by reading up on that specific area.  

You may be thinking now that all these verbs you put in your CV are relevant;  to some extent you are correct however the keyword scan may also be looking for relative nouns.  The “what” and “outcome” of each action may also be relevant. Examples:  

• Maximised and co-ordinated sales and productivity through marketing campaigns and special events

• Implemented strategies and recorded outcomes
  
  

The summary or profile at the top of your CV should be liberally sprinkled with keywords to aid the keyword search and to entice the recruiter to read further’ ensuring that he is quickly able to recap your abilities when scanning back through his short-listed pile of CVs. You may have many skills and accomplishments; however if you have not identified the keywords in line with the key skills asked for in the job advertisement then your CV may be overlooked.

Whilst keyword analysis is a daunting task you would be well advised to emphasise your relative skills;  position them in an easy to read fashion and merge them into your summary and accomplishments; identifying your true skills in line with the company’s requirements.  It should be noted that this having been done you now need to review your CV and ensure that your particular key skills are defined further throughout your CV by keywords.  We should perhaps also make it clear that abbreviations particularly in the case of qualifications or business names should also be written out in full.

Some people consider that you should flatter the person who wrote the ad with your response letter; although copying or mirroring words from the advert is in itself a form of flattery we do not feel that you should flatter the person; more praise the article or ad and yes by all means flatter the company.  Flattering the person can make them feel awkward and embarrassed - particularly if it was not really them who wrote the ad.  They may be secretly pleased that you thought this and not wish to tell you any different.  They may then reflect and feel awkward.  Please be careful here because they may simply not take things any further in case they are later found out.

If your covering letter can mirror the requirements of the advertisement then you are much more likely to be granted the opportunity of a meeting or interview.

Experts in our field since 1996 we know that some of our clients have been taken on, on the strength of their CV alone.  They come back to us whenever they are seeking promotion or a new career move because they know our services work.  

If you would like us to write a Professional CV for you please call us on 0845 370 9941.  We look forward to helping you achieve your ideal position.

Keywords , Empower your CV