By Andrew Klappholz

Applying for a job online can be a lot like a guessing game.

For all the effort you put into marketing your experience and qualifications, the deciding factor that gets your resume into the hands of an actual person often comes down to using the right keywords.

Most companies rely on computer software programs to review thousands of resumes and select the ones with particular keywords — not necessarily impressive accomplishments — so they can then be reviewed by a recruiter and, eventually, a hiring manager.

Unfortunately for job seekers, these all-powerful keywords aren’t revealed in the job description — at least not overtly.

Abby Kohut, a former human resources executive and founder of http://www.absoluteabby.com, said the best way to crack the code of these applicant tracking systems (ATS) is to put yourself in the mind of the recruiter and take your best guess at what phrases they would use to search for the best applicants for the position.

“You look at the job description, read it word by word and say ‘would the recruiter use it to search for resumes?’ ” said Kohut, who recruited for 16 years at companies in a variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, health care, publishing and education. Now, she helps job seekers and is launching a nationwide tour to teac

via The Right Keywords Are Essential When Applying for Jobs Online | TheLadders.