Scan the job description for hard skills, tools, and repeated phrases.
Extract 10–15 keywords, then add synonyms.
Weave them naturally into your resume’s summary, skills section, and work experience bullets.
Always backed by quantifiable achievements. Avoid keyword stuffing.

Why ATS Resume Keywords Matter

Most qualified candidates get rejected because of missing ATS resume keywords, not missing skills.

I remember a candidate who applied for a software engineer role at a tech start-up. His resume was clean, his experience was solid.

But the job description asked for “React” and “Node.js”; his resume mentioned “JavaScript” and “Express.” He had the skills, but the keywords didn’t match. The ATS never showed me his application.

When I finally saw his resume through a referral, I realized I had missed a great candidate because of a few missing words.

That day, I made a promise to myself: I’d help job seekers understand the language of machines, so they never get filtered out unfairly.

If you want to understand the bigger picture, including formatting, ATS readability, keywords, and structure, read my complete ATS-Friendly Resume Guide.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to find those keywords, weave them into your resume, and dramatically increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

What Are ATS Resume Keywords and Why Do They Matter?

ATS software scans your resume for specific words and phrases that match the job description. These keywords can be:

Hard skills (e.g., “Python,” “project management,” “SEO”)
Soft skills (e.g., “leadership,” “communication”)
Qualifications (e.g., “PMP certified,” “CPA”)
Industry terms (e.g., “supply chain,” “digital transformation”)

When you include the right keywords, the ATS gives your resume a higher match score, and a recruiter actually sees it.

When you don’t, your application disappears into a digital void.

I’ve used ATS systems like Workday, Greenhouse, and other custom tools.

As someone who has hired for roles across pharma, NGOs, and tech startups, I can tell you: keywords are the gatekeepers. Without them, even the best candidates get filtered out.

How to Find ATS Resume Keywords – A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Let me walk you through the process I teach my clients.

Step 1: Find a Job Description You’re Interested In

Go to any major job portal (LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, etc.) and pick a role you want to apply for.

Let’s use a Digital Marketing Manager role as an example.

“We are looking for a Digital Marketing Manager to lead our paid search and social campaigns. The ideal candidate will have experience with Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, data analysis, and A/B testing. Strong project management and communication skills are essential.”

Step 2: Highlight Every Skill, Tool, and Qualification

Take a highlighter (digital or mental) and mark everything that looks like a requirement:

Google Ads
Facebook Ads Manager
data analysis
A/B testing
project management
communication

Step 3: List Synonyms and Related Terms

Think like a recruiter.

What other words might they use to search?

For “data analysis,” they might also use “analytics,” “data interpretation,” “performance metrics.” For “project management,” synonyms could be “project coordination,” “stakeholder management,” “agile.”

Add these to your list.

Step 4: Prioritize Keywords by Relevance

Not all keywords are equal. Focus on the ones that appear most often in the job description and that match your actual experience.

Step 5: Incorporate Them Naturally into Your Resume

Now comes the art. You need to weave these keywords into your summary, skills section, and work experience bullets without making it sound like a robot wrote it.

12 Real Examples – How to use Keywords into Your ATS Resume

Here are 12 examples based on roles I’ve hired in my 7+ years of Recruitment. Each shows a weak bullet (without keywords) and a strong bullet (with keywords woven naturally).

SEO SPECIALIST

Job Description Keywords: SEO, keyword research, Google Analytics, backlink strategy, organic traffic

Before

Optimized website content for search engines.

After

Developed an SEO and keyword research strategy that increased organic traffic by 120% in 6 months using Google Analytics and a targeted backlink strategy.

CONTENT WRITER

Job Description Keywords: content strategy, SEO writing, editorial calendar, copywriting, WordPress

Before

“Wrote blog posts and managed content.”

After

“Executed content strategy with a focus on SEO writing, maintaining an editorial calendar for 50+ posts per year. Published all content via WordPress, resulting in a 30% increase in site engagement.”

PROJECT MANAGER

Job Description Keywords: agile, Scrum, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, Jira, PMP

Before

Managed projects and coordinated teams.

After

Led agile projects using Scrum methodology; facilitated stakeholder management and risk mitigation to deliver 10+ projects on time. Managed workflows in Jira; currently pursuing PMP certification.

UI DESIGNER

Job Description Keywords: Figma, Adobe XD, user research, wireframing, prototyping, responsive design

Before

Designed user interfaces for mobile apps.

After

Created high‑fidelity designs in Figma and Adobe XD, conducting user research and wireframing to develop interactive prototypes with a focus on responsive design, improving usability scores by 25%.

NODE.JS DEVELOPER

Job Description Keywords: Node.js, JavaScript, Express, REST APIs, MongoDB, microservices, Git

Before

Developed backend services.

After

Built scalable backend services using Node.js and Express, integrating REST APIs with MongoDB for data persistence. Refactored monolithic architecture into microservices; managed code using Git.

REACT DEVELOPER

Job Description Keywords: React, Redux, hooks, component architecture, frontend development, API integration

Before

Created frontend components for web apps.

After

Developed dynamic user interfaces with React and Redux, utilizing hooks to manage state. Implemented modular component architecture to streamline frontend development and ensure smooth API integration.

HR EXECUTIVE

Job Description Keywords: recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, HRIS, performance management, compliance

Before

Handled hiring and employee issues.

After

Managed full‑cycle recruitment for 50+ roles annually, led onboarding programs, and resolved complex employee relations cases. Implemented a new HRIS to automate performance management and track compliance.

QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)

Job Description Keywords: test automation, Selenium, manual testing, bug tracking, regression testing, QA methodologies

Before

Tested software for bugs.

After

Implemented test automation using Selenium, reducing regression testing time by 50%. Performed manual testing and bug tracking with Jira, applying QA methodologies to ensure high release quality.

SOCIAL MOBILIZER

Job Description Keywords: community engagement, outreach, field coordination, stakeholder liaison, advocacy, reporting

Before

Worked with communities on development projects.

After

Led community engagement and outreach efforts for a health initiative, conducting field coordination and acting as stakeholder liaison. Prepared detailed advocacy materials and reports for donors, achieving a 90% participation rate.

EMAIL MARKETING EXECUTIVE

Job Description Keywords: Mailchimp, campaign management, open rates, CTR, segmentation, A/B testing, automation

Before

Managed email campaigns.

After

Executed email campaigns in Mailchimp, focusing on segmentation and A/B testing to improve open rates by 35% and CTR by 20%. Built automation workflows that increased lead nurturing efficiency.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (Python / Full‑Stack)

Job Description Keywords: Python, Django, REST APIs, AWS, CI/CD, PostgreSQL, agile
Before: “Wrote code for web applications.”

Before

Wrote code for web applications.

After

Designed and deployed scalable web applications using Python and Django, building REST APIs integrated with PostgreSQL. Automated deployment pipelines with CI/CD on AWS, and collaborated in an agile environment to deliver features ahead of schedule.

ACCOUNTANT

Job Description Keywords: financial reporting, GAAP, IFRS, audit, reconciliations, tax compliance, QuickBooks

Before

Prepared financial statements and handled taxes.

After

Prepared monthly financial reporting under GAAP and IFRS, led quarterly audits, and performed reconciliations for accounts with 99.9% accuracy. Ensured tax compliance and managed all entries in QuickBooks for a portfolio of 20+ clients.

Each example follows the same principle: replace generic statements with action‑oriented bullets that include the exact keywords recruiters and ATS systems are scanning for.

When you apply for any of these roles, use this pattern to make your resume stand out.

Want the complete picture? Keywords are just one part of an ATS‑friendly resume.

For a full guide covering formatting, achievements, and recruiter psychology, Give a read to my ATS Resume Guide.

A Lesson I Learned While Hiring

When I was hiring for a Business Development Manager role at a SaaS startup, I received over 150 applications.

The ATS filtered out 80% of them based on keyword matching. One candidate had solid experience but didn’t include the word “enterprise sales” – a key term in the job description.

Her resume never reached me. Later, I found her through a referral. She had exactly the experience we needed. I asked her why she didn’t mention “enterprise sales.”

She said, “I thought it was obvious.” It wasn’t.

That day, I started emphasizing keyword optimization in all my resume reviews.

Where to Place Keywords on Your ATS Resume

Professional Summary – Include 2–3 of the most important keywords here.
Skills Section – List hard skills and tools prominently.
Work Experience Bullets – Weave keywords into your accomplishments.
Job Titles – If your official title was “Marketing Associate” but you did SEO work, consider adding “(SEO Focus)” after the title.

To make it helpful, I have written a specific blog on Writing Powerful Resume Summaries which catches the attention of recruiters.

Tools to Help You Find and Check ATS Resume Keywords

Jobscan – Paste your resume and a job description; it gives you a match score and suggests missing keywords.
SkillSyncer – Extracts keywords from job descriptions.
ChatGPT – Can help generate keyword lists and rewrite bullets, but always personalize the output.

I’ve used these tools to help candidates increase their match scores from 30% to 80% in minutes. It’s worth the effort.

To make your resume error free, read 10 Most Common Resume Mistakes and get yourself in the safe zone.

Common ATS Resume Keyword Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake	Why It Hurts	How to Fix
Keyword stuffing	Makes resume unnatural; can be flagged by ATS	Weave keywords into meaningful sentences
Using only abbreviations	ATS may not recognize them	Write out full name first, then acronym (e.g., “Applicant Tracking System (ATS)”)
Ignoring soft skills	ATS often scores soft skills too	Include them in context (e.g., “Led a team of 8” for leadership)
Not tailoring	Generic resume misses job‑specific terms	Adjust keywords for each application

ATS‑Friendly Resume Templates -Your Shortcut

I’ve designed ATS‑friendly resume templates with sections already optimized for keywords. They follow all the rules in this guide.

Conclusion: Speak the Language of Machines and Humans

Your resume has to work for two audiences: the ATS and the recruiter. Keywords are the bridge between them.

By following the steps in this guide, you’ll ensure your resume contains the words that get you past the machine and into the hands of a human recruiter.

Related: Want a complete blueprint for your resume? Explore my Ultimate Resume & CV Optimization Guide for step‑by‑step coverage of formatting, ATS secrets, and recruiter‑approved templates.

Now it’s your turn

Download FREE ATS Resume checklist
Shop ATS‑friendly Resume templates
Connect with me on LinkedIn

How do I find the right keywords for my resume to pass ATS?

Scan the job description for hard skills, tools, and repeated phrases.
Extract 10–15 keywords, then add synonyms.
Weave them naturally into your resume’s summary, skills section, and work experience bullets.
Always backed by quantifiable achievements. Avoid keyword stuffing.

What You'll Learn

What ATS keywords are and why they matter
A step‑by‑step guide to finding keywords from any job description
12 real examples of weaving keywords into resume bullet points
Where to place keywords on your resume (summary, skills, experience)
Tools to check your keyword match score

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many keywords should I include in my resume?

I usually recommend aiming for 10–15 relevant keywords across your resume. The most important ones should appear in your summary and skills section—that’s where I look first, and so does the ATS.

2. Can I use the same keywords for every job application?

Honestly, no. From my 7+years reviewing resumes, I’ve seen that even small tweaks make a big difference. Tailor your keywords to each job description—it shows you’ve read it carefully and you’re serious about the role.

3. Should I include keywords in my cover letter?

In my Recruitment experience, ATS systems rarely scan cover letters. But I still recommend mirroring the job description language in your cover letter. It helps when a human reads it, and it shows alignment with the role.

4. What if I don’t have all the keywords listed in the job description?

I’ve had candidates ask me this many times.

My honest advice: never invent skills you don’t have. Focus on the keywords you do have and emphasize them. If you’re missing a critical skill, consider upskilling or targeting roles where you’re a stronger match.

5. How do I know if my resume has the right keywords?

When I’m unsure, I use tools like Jobscan—it’s the same tool I’ve used to help candidates increase their match scores from 30% to 80% in minutes. You can also try the “copy‑paste test”: paste your resume into a plain text editor; if the keywords get scrambled, the ATS will struggle too.

6. What’s the difference between hard and soft keywords?

Based on the roles I’ve hired for—from software engineers to social mobilizers—I’ve seen that hard skills (like “Python” or “PMP”) often carry more weight in ATS scoring. But soft skills (like “leadership” or “communication”) matter when a human reads your resume. Include both, but back soft skills with examples.

7. Can I use acronyms in my resume?

Yes, but I always tell my clients: spell out the full term first, then add the acronym in parentheses. For example, “Applicant Tracking System (ATS).” That way, whether the ATS searches for the acronym or the full term, you’re covered.

8. How do I find keywords for a job description that is vague?

When I’m faced with a vague description, I look at the job title and the industry. For instance, if the title is “Project Manager,” I know common keywords include “agile,” “stakeholder management,” and “risk mitigation.” I also search similar postings to see what keywords repeat.

9. Should I put keywords in my resume summary or only in the experience section?

Both. I always tell candidates: your summary is prime real estate. I scan it first, and so does the ATS. Include 2–3 critical keywords there, then weave the rest naturally throughout your experience and skills sections.

About the Author

Hira Riaz is an HR Consultant with 7+ years of experience hiring across tech startups, pharma, and NGOs. Having reviewed hundreds of resumes and interviewed candidates across roles, she brings real recruiter insights into what actually works in today’s job market.

She specializes in resume optimization, interview strategy, and career growth, helping professionals turn their experience into interview calls. She also shares practical career advice with 60,000+ professionals on LinkedIn.

How to Find and Use the Right Resume Keywords
A step-by-step Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How do I find the right keywords for my resume to pass ATS?

Why ATS Resume Keywords Matter

What Are ATS Resume Keywords and Why Do They Matter?

How to Find ATS Resume Keywords – A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Step 1: Find a Job Description You’re Interested In