The Importance of Relevant Keywords when Searching for a Job Online

Before I climb in and begin talking with you about the significance of using relevant keywords when searching for a job on the Internet, I thought it may be worth starting with an explanation of what a keyword is and in what context we are referring to it in.

A keyword is classed as being common lingo or jargon which people use in everyday writing. By understanding these ' buzz words' and being able to identify their relevancy when used to run keyword searches will aid you in attaining more accurate and fine tuned search results.

All search engines deliver search results based on the relevancy of the keywords found in the copy / content of the web page which correspond to the keywords used to run the search.

Running job searches online works exactly the same. When looking for a new job on the Internet you would include a list of keywords into the search query that correspond to the type of job you are looking for. The job search engine will then make use of the keywords you have entered and deliver results that are most relevant based on your keyword search criteria. While this doesn't seem so complicated to help you along the way, Jobs.co.za has put together a list of things to do to assist you when making use of the most relevant keywords in your job search criteria.

Use Noun's and Noun Phrases when Listing Your Job Search Criteria.

A noun is a naming word and is commonly used in job titles. A noun phrase is simply a noun that has been used along with another word to create a phrase. It is important to familiarise yourself with this use of language as these are the keywords and phrases that will prove helpful when running searches for specific jobs you are looking to apply to. A few examples of nouns in the recruitment context would be; PA, Manager, Supervisor or Writer. Examples of how these would turn into noun phrases are as such; Executive PA, Operations Manager, Production Supervisor and SEO Copywriter.

Think like a Recruiter when Searching for Jobs.

After being briefed by their client, the recruitment agency will begin to prepare the job ad posting. Now is your chance to switch roles and put your feet into the shoes of the recruiter or employer. Try to cover both formal and colloquial or 'Jargon' terms they may use when loading their job advertisement. Think how you would write the job ad and what keywords you would include in order to find the right job seeker. Also remember to run a few job searches with common spelling errors and differing dialects, for example; Call Centre Manager vs. Call Centre Manager (misspelt) and Customised vs. Customized (alternate dialects)

Brainstorm Alternative Recruitment Keywords.

As keywords are what helps you to match your job search to relevant vacancies it will be well worth your while to brainstorm as many alternative keywords and keyword phrases as possible. The more clarity you have on the relevant keywords that recruiters may use when listing their job ad the easier they will be to find and apply to. Try to keep as up to date with industry jargon, affiliations and companies that specialise in the field you wish to work in and any other information to keep you posted on valuable keywords and new buzzwords.

Examine other job ad Keywords.

One of the best ways to understand the types of keywords that recruiters and employers use is by looking at similar industry job ads and other job ads that fall into your functional role. Pay attention to required qualifications, years of experience, specific licenses, permits and any other unique keywords specific to the job role you want to search for. Again it is important to note, that people may have spelt terms incorrectly, made use of acronyms which you don't understand or termed job roles and responsibilities differently to how you would have. Examine similar job adverts in as much detail as possible in order to easily identify tell tale 'keywords' that will assist in finding relevant job search results.

Using the right keywords in order to locate relevant job opportunities is vitally important for any job seeker. While this may seem like an admin intensive task, in actual fact using relevant keywords and knowing which keywords are relevant for your job search just takes some common sense. Keep your searches as uncomplicated as possible. In most cases you will find that the more obvious 'simple' words are what really work as opposed to the ten syllable words you found in the thesaurus. Be optimistic, don't over complicate your searches and from the jobs team, the best of luck!

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