At any given moment, there are many job postings available online. This is a good thing, but it can take a long time to sort through all these listings to find jobs that are suitable for your experience and needs.
To quickly and efficiently find jobs that match your criteria, you’ll first need a job search engine, such as Indeed.com or Monster.com. Then, you need some keywords for your job search.
Use Keywords to Search for Jobs
First, a quick definition: a keyword, when used for job searching, is a word or term related to the type of job you are seeking.
When you search for a job using a keyword, all jobs that contain the word or phrase you entered in the listing will appear. Using keywords helps weed out jobs that do not fit and allows you to search more efficiently.
Examples of Keyword Searches
If you’re looking for a job in marketing, for example, you might search using “marketing” as a keyword, then add your location and other search criteria. You can make it more specific. If you’re searching for a marketing manager job, you could use that term (“marketing manager”) as your keyword.
Or, if you’re looking for electrical engineering jobs, you can use terms like “electrical engineer” or “electrical engineering,” along with your location and other search criteria such as the type of position or required experience.
Search by Skill and Job Title
When you have skills that can be used in a variety of roles, search using terms that describe your skill set to find suitable jobs.
For example, if you are an application developer, you can search generally using that job title as keywords. You can also search by the skills needed to qualify for the job. This might include things like the iOS and Android operating systems, databases, APIs, and more.
Types of Keywords to Use
The appropriate keywords to use depend on your field and the type of job you want to obtain. Some categories of keywords you might want to use to narrow your search include:
- Field or Industry: Start by entering the field or industry you wish to work in, such as “marketing” or “publishing” or “database engineering.” Once you see results, you can add more keywords to ensure more relevant results and a shorter list of jobs to browse.
- Location: This depends on how precise you want to be. You can input a state, city, town, or even a zip code. In some job sites, you can specify a radius around a certain location or within a specific distance from a given point. You’ll be able to refine location queries using advanced search options available on most job sites.
- Desired Job Title: You might try putting in the desired title (for example, marketing coordinator), but keep in mind that not all companies use the same titles. One company might call the position “marketing coordinator,” while another company names the exact same role “public relations assistant.” Try varying the titles to see which yields the best results. Be cautious when using job titles as a search method and broaden your search criteria if you don’t get many results.
- Industry-Specific Skills, Tools, and Terms: In addition to searching by job titles, you can search by the skills required in the industry. For example, you could search by programming language or the skills needed to perform the job.
- Company Names: If you have a dream company that you want to work for, or a multinational company you know is posting many jobs all the time, you can search directly using the company name. Also, check the company’s LinkedIn page for listings and visit the careers section on the company site. You may be able to apply on the site and sign up for email alerts when new jobs are posted.
- Type
Job Function: When searching for a specific type of job, you can narrow down your search results by using terms like full-time, part-time, contract, freelance, internship, remote work, etc. You will receive a list of jobs that match the type of position you are looking for.
Use Keywords When Applying for Jobs
Keywords are useful throughout the job application process. As we have seen, they help you search more efficiently and effectively. Keywords also play a role in browsing through many jobs, as employers receive numerous applications and benefit from keywords to help sort them.
Keywords in the Cover Letter
For example, if you send a cover letter to a job site, the keywords in it will be searched. So, you’ll want to make sure to include the appropriate keywords in your cover letter. Use keywords related to skills, outcomes, and evaluations in your cover letter to increase your chances of getting an interview.
Keywords in the Resume
Additionally, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen candidates for the advertised positions. The keywords in the resume are the terms that hiring managers look for when browsing their database of resumes. You should ensure that these keywords are included in your resume to pass the screening process.
Feel free to experiment with keywords and try different ones. If you see a specific word or phrase in job ads that fits you perfectly, try using that word or phrase as a keyword.
If you don’t find results using a particular keyword, don’t be discouraged. Simply move on to other keywords and try using them.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/best-keywords-to-use-in-your-job-search-2062028
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