Resume Keywords:
Definition, Examples, Comparison & Uses

Resume keywords are specific words and phrases that describe your skills, experience, tools you've used, and responsibilities you've handled, which employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) use to evaluate whether you match the requirements of a job. These keywords can include action verbs, technical skills (programs, software, languages, equipment), job titles, certifications, industry-specific terms, and desired personal qualities that job seekers use to search for jobs and employers use to find the right candidates.

Resume keywords are most easily found in the job description under the responsibilities, tasks, and recommended skills sections. Approximately 98.4 percent of Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) or recruiting management system (RMS) to streamline their hiring processes, making the strategic use of keywords essential for job search success.

Related terms: ATS keywords, action verbs, hard skills, soft skills, job description matching

Resume keywords are important because they help your application stand out when employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes and identify qualified applicants. Customizing your resume with relevant keywords ensures that your application demonstrates your fit for the role and increases your chances of being noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

Keywords matter for 3 primary reasons:

• ATS technology is more widely used: Most employers now use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes and rank them based on how well they match the job description. Without the right keywords, your resume may never reach a hiring manager.
• Hiring managers expect tailored resumes: A generic, one-size-fits-all resume no longer works. A keyword-rich resume shows that you took the time to understand the role and demonstrate your fit.
• Jobs require more specialized skills: Industries across the board rely on new tools, systems, and processes. Using accurate keywords helps show that you're up-to-date and prepared for the responsibilities of the role.

Using keywords effectively on your resume ensures that your application stands out, especially when employers spend strategic time creating job announcements to ensure all applicants are fully aware of the expectations of the potential role.

A resume keyword reader filters applicants by specified criteria, such as a specific credential or keyword. The system turns your resume into plain text to find this information and scans it for the stated criteria. Afterward, it compares your resume to other resumes and ranks it according to the search query.

When this occurs, some resumes are highlighted, while others are effectively hidden. The ATS/RMS turns your resume into plain text to scan it and identify keywords that match its search intent. In effect, the system simply reduces your resume to a collection of words and focuses only on keywords that match its criteria.

Common filters that recruiters use to rank applications include 4 categories:

• Education qualifications
• Job title
• Technical skills
• Specific credentials (such as a bachelor's degree)

Unfortunately, it is not possible to know the exact criteria that a hiring manager will use to filter resumes. While some focus on specific skills like project management, others focus on specific credentials. That's where ATS resume keywords become essential for improving your application's chances of being seen by an employer.

The best place to find resume keywords is the job posting itself. Typically, recruiters use job description wording to filter job applications. The original job description is the most reliable source for identifying the keywords that will help your resume pass ATS scans and reach hiring managers.

Look closely for keywords in 5 key areas of the job posting:

• Required skills: These often highlight technical knowledge or tools you must know
• Responsibilities: These reveal what you'll be doing on the job and which action verbs to use
• Preferred qualifications: These can distinguish your resume if you have optional skills or certifications
• Tools and systems: Software, equipment, and technical platforms frequently act as ATS keywords
• Company mission statement or values: Available on their website for additional keyword ideas

If a skill or requirement appears in multiple listings for your target job, it's likely an important keyword to include. You can also search online for keyword suggestions specific to your field, such as "keywords for nursing resumes" or "action verbs for mechanical engineering resumes."

Using keywords effectively means integrating them clearly and naturally throughout your resume rather than simply stuffing your resume with keywords. You should mirror the phrasing in the job description to describe the skills and experience you possess naturally.

Incorporate keywords in 5 strategic locations on your resume:

1. Resume summary: Start with a strong summary that highlights your key skills and experiences, incorporating a few important keywords. Your resume summary should feature the most relevant skills for the role.
2. Skills section: List relevant skills using keywords as bullet points (such as "Data Analysis," "Social Media Marketing"). Select 8 to 12 skills that match the job posting.
3. Work experience: Use keywords in the descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements. Show how you applied relevant skills in previous roles.
4. Education and certifications: Include keywords related to your degrees, training, or certifications that match the job requirements. List core courses that have elevated your knowledge and prepared you for the position you are targeting.
5. Cover letter: Include keywords in your cover letter in addition to your resume, using them only when they make sense rather than repeatedly or forcibly.

Use numbers and metrics alongside keywords to demonstrate impact (such as "Increased sales by 30% through innovative marketing strategies" or "facilitated weekly training for 10 to 15 new employees"). Customize your resume for each job application to ensure the most relevant keywords and experiences are prominently featured.

Tailoring your resume with keywords involves a systematic process of matching your application to each specific job posting. This process becomes faster with practice and dramatically improves your results.

Follow these 5 steps to tailor your resume effectively:

1. Scan the job posting for keywords: Look at a job listing that interests you and identify the skills and experience that match your own. Copy-paste the job description into a separate document and highlight it so you can easily reference it later.
2. Divide keywords into skills and experience: Create a list organized by "work experience" and "skills" that includes the exact phrasing used in the job description because the system will likely search for matching terms using the same language.
3. Update your resume sections: Incorporate keywords into your summary, skills section, and work experience using the key phrases you have already identified. The purpose here is not to lie on your resume about experience you don't possess but to update your resume with phrasing that matches the job description.
4. Mirror the employer's language: If the job description uses "customer support" instead of "customer assistance," match that phrasing. Exact wording can impact ATS results.
5. Double-check formatting and spelling: Avoid ATS errors by ensuring proper formatting and correct spelling before submitting.

Customize your resume for each job application to ensure the most relevant keywords and experiences are prominently featured. You can opt to title your resume to entice the reader of the related skills you possess.

Yes. ATS software often scans for exact matches. If the posting says "customer support," use that phrase instead of "customer assistance." Matching terminology improves your chances of passing ATS filters.

Occasionally, different businesses use different titles for the same position. If you are applying for a job that uses a different title for a position that is the same or similar to one you've held, then consider changing the title of your previous position to that of which you are applying. This could help the ATS/RMS better match with your resume.

That said, don't inflate your title to a position with responsibilities that you didn't hold, such as changing your title from a "sales associate" to a "sales manager." Only include keywords that accurately reflect your experience to avoid issues during interviews or on the job.

Common resume keyword mistakes can reduce your chances of passing ATS scans or appearing professional to hiring managers. Understanding these pitfalls helps you create a more effective application.

Avoid these 5 common keyword mistakes:

• Keyword stuffing: Overloading your resume with repeated keywords appears unnatural and may cause ATS issues. Indiscriminate keyword stuffing can lead some systems to avoid your resume.
• Using irrelevant keywords: Only include skills and experience you actually have. Ensure that you're only including keywords for skills and experiences you genuinely possess because misleading keywords can lead to negative consequences.
• Ignoring soft skills: Employers still value soft skills such as communication and teamwork in addition to technical keywords.
• Submitting the same resume for every job: Tailoring your resume significantly increases your chances of getting noticed. A generic, one-size-fits-all resume no longer works.
• Using vague terms: Instead of using generic terms like "good communication skills," specify the context (such as "led successful team meetings" or "facilitated client presentations"). Avoid using a word salad, meaning over usage of words that can be confusing to the reader.

There is no fixed number, but most resumes include 10 to 20 targeted keywords tailored to the specific job. You should select the most relevant skills, tools, and responsibilities that match the job description.

Balance is key. Your resume should flow naturally, have a consistent format, and be readable while including the necessary keywords to pass through ATS filters. Ensure that you're only including keywords for skills and experiences you genuinely possess.

If you are selected for an interview, you will more than likely be required to provide examples or experiences which relate to the skills provided. Only use keywords that are accurate and reflect your real experience to avoid issues during interviews or on the job.

Strong resume keywords fall into several categories that help employers and ATS systems identify your qualifications. These keywords should accurately reflect your experience and match the language used in job descriptions.

Resume keywords include 7 main categories:

• Action verbs: Action verbs describe your skills, accomplishments, and experiences (such as managed, developed, coordinated, implemented, analyzed, facilitated)
• Technical skills (hard skills): Job-specific or technical skills such as Excel, CPR certification, forklift operation, SQL, Python, data analysis, inventory management
• Soft skills: Personal attributes like communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, time management
• Industry-specific terms: Specialized language such as "electronic health records (EHR)" for healthcare, "point-of-sale (POS) systems" for retail, "preventive maintenance" for manufacturing
• Tools and systems: Software, equipment, and platforms like Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, CRM systems, Google Analytics
• Certifications and credentials: Degrees, licenses, and certifications such as bachelor's degree, OSHA compliance, project management certification
• Job titles: Current and previous positions that demonstrate relevant experience

Prioritize your technical skill set on your resume because it is more likely to be searched and prioritized by the ATS/RMS than more abstract people skills like "teamwork."

Resume action verbs are powerful words that describe your skills, accomplishments, and experiences in a dynamic and compelling way. These verbs help demonstrate what you achieved in previous roles rather than simply listing duties.

Action verbs are organized into 8 functional categories:

• Communication: addressed, articulated, clarified, collaborated, communicated, drafted, edited, negotiated, presented, proposed, persuaded, wrote
• Critical thinking and creativity: analyzed, created, designed, developed, evaluated, formulated, improved, integrated, invented, revised
• Financial data: administered, analyzed, budgeted, calculated, estimated, measured, projected, reduced, researched
• Helping/Customer service: assisted, collaborated, contributed, counseled, facilitated, guided, resolved, served, supported, volunteered
• Leadership/Management: administered, authorized, coordinated, delegated, directed, implemented, managed, supervised, trained, transformed
• Organization and details: arranged, catalogued, classified, compiled, maintained, organized, scheduled, systematized, verified
• Teaching: coached, developed, educated, explained, guided, instructed, mentored, trained, tutored
• Research and technical: analyzed, conducted, designed, developed, engineered, examined, investigated, programmed, researched, tested

You can search online for words and phrases specific to your area of study and expertise, such as "action verbs for mechanical engineering resumes." Review your major related textbooks for vocabulary that may serve as effective action verbs in your field.

Hard skills are technical or job-specific skills such as Excel, CPR certification, or forklift operation. Soft skills refer to personal attributes like communication, teamwork, or leadership. Both types of keywords help strengthen your resume when used appropriately.

A good way to make skills-based keywords visible is to include them in the skills section of your resume. This section can be divided into technical skills (hard skills) and people skills (soft skills) to emphasize your suitability for the position.

Prioritize your technical skill set on your resume because it is more likely to be searched and prioritized by the ATS/RMS than more abstract people skills like "teamwork." However, employers still value soft skills, so ignoring them entirely is a mistake.

Resume keywords are often compared to 3 related concepts in the job application process:

Resume Keywords vs. Action Verbs

Resume keywords encompass all the specific words and phrases that describe your qualifications, while action verbs are a subset of keywords that specifically describe what you accomplished or contributed in previous roles. Action verbs help demonstrate your achievements dynamically rather than simply listing duties.

Resume Keywords vs. ATS Keywords

Resume keywords is the general term for relevant words and phrases throughout your application, while ATS keywords specifically refers to terms optimized to pass applicant tracking system scans. ATS keywords focus on exact matches to job description language, whereas resume keywords also serve to impress human readers.

Resume Keywords vs. Skills

Skills are the actual abilities, knowledge, and competencies you possess, while keywords are the strategic words you use to describe those skills in ways that align with job descriptions and ATS requirements. The same skill might be described using different keywords depending on the specific job posting.