Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS
Keywords are the foundation of a strong resume. Learn how to choose the right ones and improve your chances of landing an interview.
March 11, 2022
Article
From writing your resume to building your professional network, find resources to support your unique career journey.
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University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Professional Development, Strategy and Operations, Business Communication, Adaptability, Business Analysis, Communication, Decision Making, Project Management, People Management, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Customer Relationship Management, Strategy, Planning, Business Development, Operational Analysis, Performance Management, Problem Solving, Accounting, Change Management, Conflict Management, Financial Accounting, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Entrepreneurship, People Development, Business Research, Cost Accounting, Deep Learning, Finance, Financial Management, General Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Negotiation, Financial Analysis, Writing, Benefits, Customer Success, Customer Support, Entrepreneurial Finance, Statistical Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Marketing, Estimation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
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Coursera Project Network
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Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Congratulations! If you've made it here you're ready to make a change in your career. To make it easier to take the next step, we've broken down the job search process into key tasks with a wealth of free resources to make your move easier. Bookmark this page to refer to throughout your job search—we'll be adding new resources regularly.
Resumes and cover letters
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Work-life balance
Portfolio projects
It’s generally not recommended to list your references directly on your resume. Instead, use that space to highlight what makes you a great candidate. As you progress through the hiring process, the hiring manager or recruiter will request your references when they’re ready to contact them.
Learn more: How to List Resume References: Guide and Sample
You'll want to avoid negative explanations, such as "I was fired." Instead, focus on what you did during that period, such as "I took time off to raise my children" or "I took time to invest in myself and develop my skills and competencies." If you had more than one reason for taking time out from the workforce, it's fine to include them all.
Different skills are attractive to different job recruiters. Technical skills often depend on the job. It might be helpful to check job listings for those most relevant to the career you are seeking. In 2020, LinkedIn cited the following as the top 10 in-demand hard skills:
The questions asked in a panel interview are usually similar to ones you’d be asked in a one-on-one interview. One major difference is that multiple people will be asking you questions rather than just one. This could include behavioral questions like, “What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how did you come up with a solution?,” or questions about your professional demeanor like, “How would your colleagues describe you?”
To prepare for the kinds of questions you may be asked, research common interview questions in your career field. For example, in an interview for a project manager position, you may be asked, “How would you create an environment of collaboration on your team?”