Resume keywords vs. keyword stuffing
By the RizzWorks team · Updated · 4 min read
Keywords matter because both software filters and human reviewers look for evidence that you meet the requirements. CareerOneStop recommends using the exact terms from the posting where they apply, since a variation may not be recognized as the same qualification. (CareerOneStop: Resumes)
But there’s a difference between using keywords and stuffing them.
Find the right keywords
CareerOneStop suggests scanning several postings for your target job title and listing the requirements that come up most: types and years of experience, technical skills, soft skills, credentials. (CareerOneStop) Then keep only the ones that are true for you.
Use them naturally
- In your summary: name the role and two or three core skills.
- In your skills section: list the exact terms you genuinely have.
- In your bullets: show each important skill in action. A skill that only appears in a list is weaker than one backed by a result.
What stuffing looks like (avoid it)
- A wall of terms in tiny or white text
- Repeating the same keyword in every bullet
- Listing tools or certifications you don’t have
- Copying the job description into your resume
Stuffing might get past a filter, but a person reads your resume next, and an interviewer will ask about everything on it.
Quick test
For each keyword on your resume, can you point to a bullet that proves it? If not, add proof or remove the keyword.