Keywords Strategy
Resume Keywords: How to Find and Use the Right Ones
Keywords are the secret to passing ATS filters. Learn how to identify the right keywords and incorporate them naturally into your resume.
What Are Resume Keywords?
Resume keywords are specific words and phrases that ATS and recruiters search for when screening candidates. They typically fall into several categories:
Hard Skills
Technical abilities and tools: Python, Excel, Salesforce, AutoCAD, SQL, Figma
Soft Skills
Interpersonal abilities: leadership, communication, problem-solving, collaboration
Job Titles
Roles and positions: Project Manager, Software Engineer, Marketing Director
Certifications
Professional credentials: PMP, CPA, AWS Certified, Six Sigma, SHRM
Industry Terms
Sector-specific language: B2B, SaaS, HIPAA, agile, SEO/SEM, KPIs
Action Verbs
Achievement words: managed, developed, increased, implemented, launched
How to Find the Right Keywords
1. Analyze the Job Description
The job description is your keyword goldmine. Look for:
- • Skills listed under "Requirements" or "Qualifications"
- • Tools and technologies mentioned
- • Words that appear multiple times
- • The exact job title and variations
2. Research Similar Job Postings
Look at 5-10 similar job postings to find common keywords across the industry. Terms that appear in multiple postings are likely important to include.
3. Check Industry Resources
Professional associations, industry publications, and LinkedIn profiles of people in similar roles can reveal important keywords you might have missed.
4. Use Both Acronyms and Full Terms
Since ATS may search for either form, include both:
"Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" or "Project Management Professional (PMP)"
How to Use Keywords Effectively
The Golden Rule
Keywords must appear naturally within context. Don't just list them—show how you've used them.
Skills Section
Create a dedicated skills section that lists your relevant technical and soft skills. This gives ATS a concentrated area to find keyword matches.
Work Experience Bullets
Weave keywords into your achievement statements:
"Managed cross-functional team of 8 using Agile methodology, delivering projects 15% ahead of schedule"
Professional Summary
Front-load your most important keywords in your summary section—it's the first thing ATS reads.
Warning: Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Cramming in keywords unnaturally will get flagged by ATS and annoy recruiters. If a keyword doesn't fit naturally, find a different way to express it or leave it out.
Example: Before & After
Before (Generic)
"Responsible for managing projects and working with teams to deliver results on time."
After (Keyword-Optimized)
"Led project management for 5 cross-functional teams using Agile methodology and Jira, delivering 12 software releases with 98% on-time completion rate."
Find Your Missing Keywords
Our AI compares your resume against any job description and identifies the keywords you're missing. Get a match score and optimized version in seconds.