Learn about the power of using keywords for interview questions
Q: I have heard about keywords being used for resume writing and understand they are needed for recruiting software and for job applications. What are some other ways to use keywords throughout my job search?
A: Keywords play a big role in helping you pass the screening process by using them throughout your resume and other job search marketing material. According to US News, 95% of recruiters use keywords to search for the right candidates. For example, recruiters rely on LinkedIn’s algorithm to find the most relevant candidate profiles based on their keyword searches.
It’s safe to say that without using keywords in your job search, you are risking being unseen by potential employers.
Keywords are not just for resumes or algorithms, they can be used during networking and interviews, too.
One of the most common question asked during an interview will be to introduce yourself to the interviewer(s). This same question can be somewhat troubling to job candidates because they aren’t sure if the interviewer wants a personal description or a careerrelated answer. The best answer can be a combination of both, but the interviewer is there to learn how your background matches the job description.
Using keywords in your answers starts by briefly describing your background as it relates to the job position. For example, if the job description asks for an engineering degree in facilities and you have both mechanical and electrical engineering degrees, you would want to indicate how your degrees combined make you a uniquely qualified candidate as a facilities engineer.
From there, you want to continue using keywords mentioned in the job description to support your answers. For instance, the job description might also want the ideal candidate to be responsible for design and engineering, as well as new product development using technical reporting.
Tell the interviewer how your experience includes these areas by mentioning them by name and giving examples.
Another interview question might be about the contributions you would bring to the company. Again, think about your answer and link it directly to the employer’s needs using keywords mentioned in the job description. For example, communication skills might be another area specified for the job; your choice of keywords would be talking about your ability to communicate with different business units or engineering teams concisely.
An interviewer might be curious about how you would describe your most significant accomplishments. Consider answering questions by briefly describing a situation, using the key skills highlighted in the job positing, such as decision making, solving a problem, or negotiating a successful contract.
Using keywords makes you a memorable candidate and instantly keeps you moving toward the next steps in the interview process.