How can you balance keywords and narrative in your resume?

Tools like Jobscan, Jobalytics, and others can be helpful in identifying keywords for your resume that you might be missing. In order to use them effectively you want to first manually customize your resume for a role using success stories that narratively tell of quantifiable successes that you have that are directly related to the role you are applying for. After you have manually done this updating then you can use a tool like those mentioned to see if you missed any important words the applicant tracking system (ATS) may be looking for. However, you want to trust your own common sense when looking at these words. If it seems like a silly choice of a word then ignore it. This is because these systems will sometimes tag odd words.

Don't outsource your keyword strategy for your LinkedIn profile to Jobscan or similar tools. They are not accurate and will mislead you with the wrong keywords. I did a deep dive into one of these tools a while ago and the results were disappointing. Instead: 1) Find your target role using the FLIVS framework: Function, Level, Industry, Vertical and Stage of Company. That's extremely important because recruiters don't search for functional skills beyond using the functional title ("Product Management"). Instead, they narrow the search by using vertical, industry and stage of company keywords 2) Find as many job descriptions as you can for that target role (use the same FLIVS or it won't work) and weave the keywords into your LI profile.

All companies have ATSs, that's one thing you can be certain of! So, before your CV is seen by some human eyes, it meets a robot. And you have to impress that robot with keywords! Storytelling has nothing to do with your ATS score. You can just browse the jobs you want to apply to and make sure you have at least 75-80% of the keywords mentioned. Keep it cool, keep it professional, and just between us, make sure it doesn't read like you swallowed a thesaurus. A little personality can go a long way...just enough to make the ATS nod in approval and pass your resume to the humans.

Create your career narrative first because that’s the story of your career that you’re selling. Once you’ve done that, you can adjust your resume as necessary to reflect how your experience and skills match those wanted for the job you’re seeking. Dive into the job description and pinpoint keywords and themes that matter to the employer. Align your narrative and keywords with their priorities, showcasing a tailored fit. Think of it as presenting yourself as the missing piece they've been searching for. This level of attention helps navigate automated filters and impresses human readers, signaling your suitability for the role. A tailored resume is your strategic advantage, helping you stand out in a sea of applicants.

Tell your stories with your numbers! Every. Single. Time. ? Worked with a team of 20 colleagues ? Increased revenue by 60% ? Effectively supervised 4 projects within a period of 18 months Etc. Tell your story with your numbers.

While storytelling can be a powerful tool, I believe it's best saved for the interview stage. Every word counts in your CV. Stick to the essentials: showcase your skills and achievements with clear, quantifiable examples. The STAR method is indeed valuable, but it's more suited for in-person discussions where you can elaborate without breaching confidentiality agreements like NDAs. On paper, let the numbers do the talking and save the stories for when you're face-to-face.

If you are stumped about creating a CV have AI (ChatGPT or similar) help you out. There’s nothing more daunting than a blank page. There are prompts out there to help you adapt your CV for a job description or to write the perfect cover letter for the job add you feed it. It won’t be perfect, but it will sound very corporate which HR departments love. Use full sentences. Try to keep the phrasing short. R-read asking yourself “Can I rephrase using less or simpler words?” Try doing that see how your CV looks after! An easy to read CV is a godsend! You’re saving time for your future boss already.

Make it easy for not just the ATS systems but the HR or Hiring Manager to read your resume by ensuring your most relevant experience and skills are highlighted on Page 1. Pull those key words and requirements from the job advert, and tailor your resume to reflect those needs. Remember, the resume often gets less than 30 seconds of perusal time so the more targeted the better.

Adapt your CV for the specific job or industry you're targeting, and make sure it speaks directly to their needs and preferences without getting lost in a sea of fancy fonts or graphics. Keep it straightforward, focused, and avoid overly graphic pages with multiple columns or intricate designs that can confuse ATSs. Stick to a standard format unless you're certain the template is ATS-friendly. And while tools like Canva offer creative layouts, they're not always the best choice for getting through the digital gatekeepers.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of proofreading your resume. I lost count of how often I read "attention to detail" on CVs. These typos are all too common and ironically highlight a lack of the very skill they're meant to showcase. Always double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Tools like Grammarly are lifesavers, catching slips that could cost you a first impression. Keep the design simple and professional, and remember that while creativity can be a plus, clarity is non-negotiable. A clean, error-free resume is the silent ambassador of your professionalism.

In 2024 Chat CPT is your secret tool to an error-free resume! Another thing it’s excellent at is translating it in different languages so if you’re seeking jobs in the EU that’s really useful! I do full reads of the application looking for certain things: 1. Get Chat to detect suggestions and review them. 2. Content matches my experience that is clear and metrics based 3. Application truly answers the job requirements 5. Spelling &grammar (it’s the last step so the content is set in stone but you’re cleaning and polishing before making it into a PDF!) Bonus old school tip- PDF your applications (just in case anyone is sending out word docs still ??)