What is keyword stuffing, and why should I avoid it?

Keyword stuffing means cramming a resume with job-posting terms to try to beat the software, whether or not they describe your experience. It often looks like long lists of repeated words, phrases copied from the posting, or hidden text.

Common forms:

• A "Keywords" block listing dozens of terms.
• The same skill repeated in every bullet.
• Pasting the job description into the resume, sometimes in white or tiny text.
• Listing tools you have never used.

Why it backfires:

• Recruiters usually read the resume themselves, and stuffed text is easy to spot.
• Hidden text can show up when a resume is copied, parsed or viewed in a different format, which can end your application and damage trust.
• In interviews, you will be asked about the skills you listed.

The honest alternative works better: use the employer's terms for work you have actually done, once or twice each, inside clear sentences. That gives the software the words it needs and gives the recruiter a reason to call you.