Many hiring professionals use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to narrow down applicant pools. Savvy job seekers have responded by researching ATS and learning about optimized resume keywords. In short, recruiters can search their ATS for the specific skills and keywords most relevant to the job description.
Applicants increase their chances of being found by strategically identifying and adding those keywords to their resume. We’ll get into how to do that the right way…and how to avoid keyword stuffing.
What is resume keyword stuffing?
It’s a fine line, but resume keyword stuffing is not the same thing as resume keyword optimization. Resume keyword stuffing is when an applicant overloads their resume with so many keywords that it is either A) no longer a true representation of their abilities, or B) geared towards the ATS technology with no regard for a human reader.
In an effort to “beat the system,” job seekers do more harm than good by deploying three styles of resume keyword stuffing:
1) Dishonest or out-of-context skills
Some corporate recruiters recommend having a list of hard stills at the top of the resume. This gives readers a snapshot of what the applicant has to offer and can also be beneficial in an ATS search. That said, recruiters are wary of overly broad skill lists. They need to be able to see how those skills were actually utilized.
For example, a tech recruiter told Jobscan, “When I see a resume where there’s this giant block of all the technologies you’ve used, you’re not an expert in all of those. Yeah, you might have written Javascript for 3 months back in 2005, but that doesn’t mean you’re a Javascript developer.”
A long keyword list could help an applicant’s resume get discovered in a search but recruiters don’t take those keywords at face value. As they investigate further, they could reject resumes that seem suspicious or lack context. Applicants should only list skills for which they have a useful and demonstrable level of proficiency.
Jobscan analyzed 10 million job listings to find out which skills you need to put on your resume to increase your chances of getting an interview. The graphic below illustrates what one job position asks for in terms of keywords, and how Jobscan can identify each one.
2) Hidden keywords
Perhaps the most egregious way to beat the system is stuffing hidden keywords into a resume.
This is done by repeatedly typing a keyword into the resume then making the text white so that it’s invisible to human eyes. For example, an applicant might type “accounting accounting accounting accounting” at the bottom of their resume. The idea is that it will help them rank higher in an ATS.
Understandably, recruiters resent the implication that they’re so easily tricked. Resume keyword stuffing with hidden text is easily spotted and one of the quickest ways to burn a bridge with a recruiter.
This is an applicant profile in Taleo, the most commonly used ATS. This applicant tried to beat the system using the hidden text method (“Accounting Accounting…”), but it’s easy to spot once the resume text has been parsed into the system.
3) Over-optimization
Wordsmithing a resume to include multiple instances of specific keywords is tricky and can result in awkward, over-the-top sentences. Here’s an example of over-optimizing for the keyword social media:
“Led social media marketing efforts which included writing social media content and using social media management platform Hootsuite to schedule social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks.”
Job seekers should ensure that key skills and phrases are included in their resume, but overloading sentences in an unnatural way hurts more than it helps.
In the image below, we are able to see the hard skills required for this job position, because of how many times they are listed on the job description. We can compare that to the number of times those same keywords appear on the job seeker’s resume. This is a helpful comparison to know if you’re missing keywords or keyword stuffing.
Walking the line between stuffing and optimization
Dishonest and blatant keyword stuffing will come back to bite job seekers at some point in the process. It could lead to a quick rejection if the recruiter catches on.
Resume keyword optimization isn’t about “tricking” or “beating” the system. It’s about working in sync with recruiters and hiring managers and the technology they use. It’s about making sure your skills and qualifications are seen and not ignored.
To properly optimize your resume with keywords, try an online tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner. This tool provides you with a score that shows how well your resume matches the job description. You’ll also receive directions on how to fix your resume so it scores higher.
The higher your score, the better your chances of getting a job interview!
The best way to list skills on your resume
Jobscan helps analyze a job description to reveal keywords that are missing from your resume. The analysis can also spotlight skills that you simply forgot to include on your resume like a language, piece of software, or soft skills. To put it simply: you want to add what’s important and leave off what isn’t.
“I always recommend trying to squeeze [your resume] into one [page],” a non-profit recruiter told Jobscan. “But when you have that limited amount of real estate, there are going to be some things that you have to leave out.”
To optimize your resume effectively, Jobscan’s Power Edit tool is a great resource. Power Edit harnesses AI-powered technology to provide tailored recommendations, helping you build a resume that stands out. It offers a seamless editing experience, guiding you on how to incorporate the right keywords without overstuffing. By using Power Edit, you can ensure your resume is optimized to impress both ATS and recruiters, making your job search faster and smarter.
When you see a list of 50 skills generated by Jobscan, it’s easy to think you need to include every single one on your resume. That’s not the case. The skills list should be viewed as a guide for highlighting your experience rather than a checklist you need to complete.
“This customization is crucial because it helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the attention of hiring managers by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences,” said Clair Levy, a certified professional resume writer with over 15 years of experience in career transitions.
