CV Writing: 5 Must Have Keywords That Grabs The HR’s Attention

By Mark Namaswa,
In 2012, the Commission for Higher Education estimated that universities alone release over 50,000 fresh graduates into the labour market in Kenya every year. To deal with these numbers, companies have resorted to keeping a database of CVs in order to review them whenever they have an employment opening.

When job applications are received, hiring managers quickly run through the CVs to pick the likely suitable fit for the jobs on offer. What do they look for in CVs at first glance? Keywords—these are specific words that directly relate to the job or role being applied for which employers search for in CVs.

And by putting CV keywords to good use, you significantly increase your chances of getting your CV picked for consideration by the employers.

Here are some common keywords that might get your CV noticed.

1. Past Reputable Company names
There’s power in a name and as Ms Flora Otieno, Kenatco Taxis explains, listing reputable firms you have previously worked for scores points among the recruiters scanning through the database of CVs for suitable candidates.

“The mention of a firm like KCB when you are looking for an Senior Accountant, for instance tells you that by virtue of a person having served in the such a financial institution, the person is sure to know his work very well.”

2. Academic and Professional Certifications
As one Kenyan professor recently pointed out during the orientation parade of new students at a local university campus, Kenya is indeed a country that believes in papers.

“If I’m looking for an accountant with a B.com and a CPA (K), and the candidate mentions the two in his or her CV, it will definitely catch my attention,” says Ms Otieno. “This will obviously be a different case compared to other candidates who might not really meet these qualifications when I give the CVs a first check,” she says.

3.Working Experience
“Anywhere you see this as a section title in any CV as a hiring manager, it will definitely draw your attention to see where this person has worked; does he bring along sufficient experience; does he come with transferable skills?” says Carol Mwangi, HR Crown Beverages.

“You will always want to find out what his hands-on skills are and how he is going to apply that in the new role.”

4. Professional Organizations if Any
Have you given a thought to joining a professional body in line with you career? Well, it turns out that those with memberships in such bodies stand a better chance of getting their CVs noticed. Reason?

“Professional bodies command respect among employers and the public. They instill the confidence in employers that they are not hiring a quack,” says Ms. Otieno. “Professional bodies are known to have strict membership rules and once one mentions he belongs to any of them, it definitely is a strong keyword.”

So mentioning you belong to the Institute of Certified Public Accountants-ICPAK, or the Law Society of Kenya among others, gives you a keyword advantage.

5. Relevant Job Titles
“Sometimes the applications are very many, especially when the jobs have been advertised online,” says Ms. Otieno. “And this requires you to sample applications quickly and one of the easiest ways of locating the potential candidates for the position you are recruiting for is scanning through the positions. CVs that have the appropriate job titles you are looking for will then be among the first to be shortlisted,” she says.

And as Beth Wanjira, Client Service and Recruitment Officer, Corporate Staffing Service says, the importance of keywords cannot be taken for granted. “For every shortlisting of every position that takes place, they play a role. And in my case, it can go as far as looking at the achievements one has listed in his CV. It works to mention what you have achieved in your career thus far,” she says.