Do you find tailoring your resume for each job tedious, time-consuming, and easy to get wrong?
Many job seekers do. But tailoring your resume is important because recruiters use specific keywords when they search applicant tracking systems (ATS) for qualified candidates.
If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, it might not show up in the search results.
This guide includes 500 of the most commonly used resume keywords, plus tips on how to find the right ones and use them effectively throughout your resume.
Resume keywords are essential because recruiters search for them in applicant tracking systems (ATS). They reflect the skills, experience, and qualifications listed in the job description.
Here’s how to use them effectively:
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Find them in the job posting. Look for job titles, hard skills, certifications, and tools mentioned multiple times.
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Use them naturally. Add keywords to your summary, skills section, and experience bullets, without keyword stuffing.
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Match the exact phrasing. The ATS doesn’t always recognize synonyms, so mirror the wording used in the posting.
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Combine with action verbs. Words like managed, developed, or led help you show impact, not just responsibilities.
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Tailor for every job. A one-size-fits-all resume is less likely to be found or read.
Using the right keywords helps your resume get seen and gives you a better shot at landing interviews.
What are resume keywords?
Resume keywords are the specific words and phrases employers use to search for qualified candidates in their applicant tracking systems (ATS).
These keywords often come straight from the job description and typically include:
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Job titles (e.g. Project Manager)
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Hard skills (e.g. Python, Excel, Social Media Marketing)
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Soft skills (e.g. Collaboration, Communication)
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Certifications (e.g. CPA, PMP)
If your resume doesn’t include the right mix of keywords, it may not appear in search results, even if you’re perfectly qualified.
In fact, a study by Harvard Business School found that 88% of employers say their hiring systems filter out qualified candidates who don’t precisely match the job description.
Do recruiters actually use keyword filters?
There’s a common myth that recruiters don’t really use keyword searches in their applicant tracking systems (ATS).
But according to Jobscan’s State of the Job Search report, 99.7% of recruiters use filters in their ATS or similar systems to find qualified candidates.
Here’s how they search:
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76.4% filter by skills
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59.7% by education
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55.3% by job titles
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50.6% by certifications and licenses
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44% by years of experience
This is why having an ATS-friendly resume is so important. It ensures your keywords get noticed and that your resume doesn’t get lost in the system.
How to identify and add keywords to your resume
Here’s a step-by-step process for finding the right keywords to use when tailoring your resume for a specific job.
1. Read the job description carefully
Start by reading the job posting from top to bottom. Pay attention to words and phrases that appear more than once. These are usually the most important skills and qualifications the employer is looking for.
2. Highlight keywords
As you read, highlight key terms, especially hard skills, tools, and technical qualifications.
Below is a job description with important keywords underlined in red. These are the words and phrases you should try to work into your resume, as long as they accurately reflect your experience.
Also take note of the job title. This is the most important keyword, since it’s one of the first things recruiters search for in the ATS.
You should always include the job title somewhere on your resume, ideally near the top.
According to Jobscan data, candidates who include the job title on their resume are 10.6 times more likely to get an interview,
3. Add the keywords to your resume
Once you’ve identified the right keywords, the next step is knowing where to use them.
Here’s a simple guide:
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Resume headline and summary: Include the job title and a few top keywords near the top of your resume to show you’re a strong match right away.
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Skills section: Focus on hard skills, tools, and certifications. Use the exact wording from the job description when possible.
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Work experience bullets: This is where keywords really matter. Don’t just list skills, weave them into bullet points that show how you used those skills to get results.
Never begin a bullet point with the phrase “responsible for.” Instead, use action verbs (also called functional keywords). These are words like led, developed, analyzed, and implemented. They show what you did in each role.
Below is an example of what a tailored ATS resume might look like for the job description above.
Notice how the job title—Accountant—is clearly displayed next to the applicant’s name.
Don’t keyword stuff. Your resume should always be natural and easy to read. Don’t add keywords just for the sake of “pleasing” the ATS.
Also, try to avoid generic buzzwords like “hardworking,” “team player,” or “go-getter.” These terms don’t tell recruiters anything specific. Instead, focus on real skills and accomplishments that match what’s in the job description.
4. Mirror the language used in the job description.
When it comes to resume keywords, small differences in phrasing can have a big impact.
That’s because ATS don’t always recognize synonyms, abbreviations, or alternative wording.
For example, if your resume says “Adobe Creative Cloud” but the job description says “Adobe Creative Suite,” your resume might not appear in search results, even though you have the exact skill set they’re looking for.
The easiest way to avoid this? Use the exact wording from the job description whenever it accurately reflects your experience.
The same idea applies to job titles. Titles often vary by industry, company, or seniority level, but the meaning is usually the same.
Here are some examples of different job titles that describe the same role:
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Software Developer → Software Engineer → Application Developer
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Administrative Assistant → Executive Assistant → Office Coordinator
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Sales Representative → Account Executive → Business Development Associate
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HR Specialist → People Operations Coordinator → Talent Coordinator
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Marketing Manager → Brand Manager → Growth Marketing Lead
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Customer Service Rep → Client Support Specialist → Customer Experience Associate
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Financial Analyst → Investment Analyst → Business Analyst
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Warehouse Associate → Logistics Technician → Fulfillment Specialist
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Graphic Designer → Visual Designer → Digital Designer
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Teacher → Educator → Instructional Specialist
5. Use an online tool to tailor your resumes faster
Manually customizing your resume for every job is one of the most time-consuming parts of the job search.
Tools like Jobscan’s resume scanner make the process faster—and far more accurate—by showing you exactly which keywords to add or adjust.
It also points out formatting issues that can confuse ATS, like using tables or columns in your resume.
Here’s how it works:
- Paste your resume into the tool.
- Paste the job description into the tool.
- Click the “Scan” button.
The tool then provides you with a Match Report, including a resume score, that shows how well your resume matches the job description.
Jobscan highlights missing keywords, formatting mistakes, and even provides ATS-specific recommendations based on the company you’re applying to.
Here’s what part of a Match Report looks like:
As you can see, the keywords office management, patient care, and dental care are missing from the resume.
Adding them will increase your score and your chances of getting an interview.
Using this tool can provide immediate results. One Jobscan user said “I went from not getting interviews for months at a time and then I got three or four interviews. It was a definite change.”
Try the resume scanner for free below:
Top 500 ATS resume keywords list
Below is a list of the most common resume keywords, organized by industry, based on Jobscan’s database of real job descriptions. (Note: some keywords appear in more than one category.)
Keep in mind: you should always check the job description to see exactly how these keywords are used. Wording and context matter.
Quick Navigation
- Business, Finance, Law
- Customer Service, Retail, Human Resources, Tourism
- Education
- Health Care, Medicine
- Information Technology, Computer Science
- Manufacturing, Transportation
- Marketing, Media, Publishing, Graphic Design
Business, Finance, Law
- account management
- accounting
- accounts payable
- accounts receivable
- analysis
- analytical
- analytical skills
- analytics
- analyze data
- analyzing data
- annual budget
- asset management
- audit
- auditing
- banking
- billing
- budget management
- budgeting
- business administration
- business cases
- business issues
- business management
- business planning
- business plans
- business process
- business requirements
- business stakeholders
- business strategy
- business systems
- CAD
- cash flow
- CFA
- client relationships
- client service
- client services
- compliance
- consulting experience
- consulting services
- consumers
- contracts
- co-op
- cost effective
- cost reduction
- data analysis
- data collection
- data management
- data quality
- database
- deposits
- due diligence
- dynamic environment
- economics
- EMEA
- expenses
- external partners
- finance
- financial analysis
- financial management
- financial performance
- financial reporting
- financial reports
- financial services
- financial statements
- financing
- forecasting
- forecasts
- GAAP
- general ledger
- governance
- internal audit
- internal controls
- internal customers
- internal stakeholders
- international
- inventory
- inventory management
- investigate
- investigation
- investigations
- invoices
- invoicing
- journal entries
- law enforcement
- leadership development
- lean
- legal
- legislation
- litigation
- machine learning
- MIS
- mortgage
- non-profit
- partnership
- partnerships
- payments
- payroll
- physical security
- PMP
- policies
- portfolio management
- presentations
- process improvement
- project planning
- proposal
- prospecting
- purchase orders
- purchasing
- real estate
- reconcile
- reconciliation
- regulations
- relationship management
- reporting
- revenue growth
- RFP
- RFPs
- risk assessment
- risk assessments
- risk management
- security clearance
- small business
- spreadsheets
- statistical analysis
- statistics
- strategic direction
- strategic initiatives
- strategic planning
- strategic plans
- strategy
- Tableau
- tax
- technical knowledge
- transactions
- underwriting
- vendor management
- vendors
Customer Service, Retail, Human Resources, Tourism
- beverage
- billing
- build relationships
- client relationships
- client service
- consumers
- customer experience
- customer-facing
- customer requirements
- customer service
- customer-facing
- employee relations
- filing
- help desk
- hospitality
- hotel
- hotels
- human resource
- human resources
- immigration
- in-store
- internship
- media relations
- office software
- on-boarding
- outreach
- PeopleSoft
- performance metrics
- phone calls
- retail
- sales
- sales experience
- sales goals
- sales operations
- Salesforce
- staffing
- supervising
- supervisory experience
- support services
- talent acquisition
- talent management
- travel
- travel arrangements
Education
- administrative support
- admissions
- biology
- chemistry
- coaching
- computer science
- computer software
- counsel
- counseling
- fundraising
- German
- higher education
- mathematics
- physics
- program development
- public relations
- recruiting
- recruitment
- relationship building
- research projects
- researching
- spelling
- sports
- teaching
- training
- writing
Health Care, Medicine
- case management
- CPR
- FDA
- fitness
- health
- healthcare
- hospital
- logistics
- medical device
- nursing
- on-call
- ordering
- pharmaceutical
- pharmacy
- presentation
- psychology
- public health
- public policy
- safety
- therapeutic
Information Technology, Computer Science
- .NET
- algorithms
- android
- architecture
- architectures
- audio
- AutoCAD
- AWS
- big data
- business analysis
- business continuity
- C (programming language)
- C#
- C++
- CAD
- certification
- Cisco
- cloud
- compliance
- computer applications
- computer science
- controls
- CSS
- D (programming language)
- data center
- data collection
- data entry
- data management
- database
- datasets
- design
- development activities
- digital marketing
- digital media
- distribution
- DNS
- ecommerce
- e-commerce
- end user
- experimental
- experiments
- frameworks
- front-end
- GIS
- graphic design
- hardware
- HTML5
- I-DEAS
- information management
- information security
- information technology
- intranet
- iOS
- iPhone
- IT infrastructure
- ITIL
- Java
- Javascript
- JIRA
- LAN
- licensing
- Linux
- machine learning
- MATLAB
- matrix
- mechanical engineering
- migration
- mobile
- modeling
- networking
- operations management
- oracle
- OS
- process development
- process improvement
- process improvements
- product design
- product development
- product knowledge
- program management
- programming
- protocols
- prototype
- Python
- quality assurance
- real-time
- research
- resource management
- root cause
- routing
- SaaS
- SAS
- SCI
- scripting
- scrum
- SDLC
- SEO
- service delivery
- software development
- software development life cycle
- software engineering
- SQL
- SQL server
- tablets
- technical
- technical issues
- technical knowledge
- technical skills
- technical support
- test cases
- test plans
- testing
- troubleshooting
- UI
- Unix
- usability
- user experience
- UX
- variances
- vendor management
- VMware
- web services
- workflows
Manufacturing, Transportation
- assembly
- asset management
- audit
- auditing
- automation
- aviation
- budget
- budget management
- budgeting
- chemicals
- circuits
- construction
- cost reduction
- cross-functional team
- distribution
- documentation
- documenting
- drafting
- drawings
- driving record
- electrical
- electrical engineering
- electronics
- engineering
- fabrication
- installation
- instructional design
- instrumentation
- inventory
- inventory management
- ISO
- life cycle
- lifecycle
- manage projects
- management experience
- mining
- operations
- operations management
- outsourcing
- performance improvement
- process improvement
- process improvements
- procurement
- product design
- product development
- product knowledge
- product line
- product marketing
- product quality
- project delivery
- project management
- project management skills
- project plan
- QA
- quality assurance
- quality control
- quality management
- quality standards
- raw materials
- regulatory
- regulatory compliance
- regulatory requirements
- repairs
- safety
- six sigma
- SolidWorks
- sourcing
- specifications
- standard operating procedures
- supply chain
- supply chain management
- transport
- transportation
- valid drivers license
- vendor management
- warehouse
- workflows
Marketing, Media, Publishing, Graphic Design
- account management
- acquisition
- acquisitions
- administrative support
- Adobe
- Adobe Creative Suite
- advertising
- affiliate
- agile
- algorithms
- alliances
- analytical
- analytical skills
- analytics
- analyze data
- analyzing data
- API
- APIs
- automation
- benchmark
- BI
- brand
- branding
- broadcast
- budgeting
- build relationships
- business analysis
- business continuity
- business development
- business intelligence
- business planning
- business process
- business strategy
- business systems
- case management
- change management
- client relationships
- client services
- CMS
- coding
- commissioning
- complex projects
- consulting
- content
- continuous improvement
- contract management
- conversion
- correspondence
- counseling
- CPG
- CRM
- cross-functional team
- customer experience
- daily operations
- data analysis
- data collection
- data management
- data quality
- digital marketing
- digital media
- ecommerce
- e-commerce
- editing
- editorial
- employee engagement
- engagement
- ERP
- ETL
- event planning
- fashion
- field sales
- Flex
- fulfillment
- HRIS
- HTML
- IBM
- InDesign
- industry experience
- industry trends
- information system
- information systems
- internal communications
- inventory management
- JIRA
- journalism
- key performance indicators
- KPI
- KPIs
- lighting
- machine learning
- management consulting
- market research
- marketing
- marketing materials
- marketing plans
- marketing programs
- marketing strategy
- merchandising
- metrics
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Microsoft Word
- MS Excel
- MS Office
- MS Project
- negotiation
- networking
- operating systems
- operational excellence
- performance management
- photography
- Photoshop
- portfolio management
- positioning
- PR
- process development
- process improvement
- process improvements
- product management
- product marketing
- product quality
- project delivery
- project management
- public relations
- publications
- publishing
- quality assurance
- R (programming language)
- recruit
- regulatory compliance
- relationship building
- reporting
- resource management
- retention
- sales management
- SAP
- scheduling
- scrum
- SDLC
- segmentation
- SharePoint
- six sigma
- social media
- SOPs
- spreadsheets
- SQL server
- stakeholder management
- standardization
- startup
- start-up
- statistical analysis
- statistics
- status reports
- strategic direction
- strategic initiatives
- strategic planning
- strategic plans
- strategy
- strong analytical skills
- telecom
- trade shows
- TV
- value proposition
- vendors
- video
- windows
- workflows