How to Use Resume Keywords to Beat an ATS

Resume keywords are your secret weapon for standing out in a stack of applications. They help your resume pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen candidates based on job requirements. When a recruiter reviews your resume, these keywords show whether you meet the must-have qualifications.

This guide explains how to choose and use resume keywords naturally to boost your chances of getting noticed and hired.

What Are Resume Keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words or phrases that signal your qualifications for a role. They should appear throughout your resume sections and be tailored to each application.

Types of keywords to include:

Think of keywords like SEO for your resume: Recruiters and ATS “rank” candidates based on how well the resume matches the job posting. According to Select Software Reviews (SSR), 99% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS that scan for keywords.

Why Resume Keywords Matter in the Job Search

Resume keywords aren’t “magic” words—they’re specific terms that describe your skills for a particular job. They work best when you update your resume for each application to reflect the role’s must-have skills.

A Harvard study found that 88% of qualified applicants get passed over because their resumes don’t include relevant keywords. Even when job titles are the same (like “software engineer”), candidates can be rejected if their resumes don’t use the same language and keywords as the job posting.

How Do Resume Keywords Work?

Picture this: You reuse the resume that got you hired years ago—same experience, same skills—but now it’s not landing interviews. Why? The language no longer matches what employers search for today. Your resume needs fresh, job-specific keywords.

For example, a job ad asks for someone who can “analyze data to drive strategy”, but your resume says you “worked with data.” Small wording gaps like these can hide your qualifications.

When you update your resume to mirror the employer’s keywords, your chances of landing an interview go up. You don’t need a full rewrite, just swap in relevant terms, tweak job titles, and cut experience that doesn’t match.

How to Find the Right Resume Keywords

There’s no one-size-fits-all ATS keywords list. Use these strategies to identify the resume keywords that will make your application stand out:

• 1.

  Read Job Descriptions Thoroughly

  Your target job posting is the best source of resume keywords. Focus on the company intro, role overview, and both required and preferred qualifications.

  Each section is packed with keywords you can use, but you don’t need to match everything. Hitting at least 50% of the requirements is a strong start.

• 2.

  Highlight Requirements & Repeated Skills

  As you review the job ad, highlight or note keywords that match your skills and experience.

  High-value keywords are often repeated and appear in job requirements, including skills, education, expertise, and certifications. Keep your notes handy when updating your resume to avoid missing key terms.

• 3.

  Identify Required vs Preferred Qualifications

  Job ads often list qualifications as “required” or “preferred,” and this matters for both job fit and resume keywords. Prioritize required keywords, since they show you meet the role’s basics, but don’t ignore preferred keywords.

  Required keywords carry more weight in ATS scoring, but preferred ones still add points.

• 4.

  Look for Tools, Software, or Certifications

  Many job listings mention specific certifications, tools, or software necessary to perform the role. Use exact terms from the posting. For example, write “QuickBooks” instead of “accounting software,” or “PMP certification” instead of “project management certification.”

  The more precise your wording, the higher your resume will rank in ATS scans and the more quickly a recruiter will see that you’re qualified.

• 5.

  Use Employer-Preferred Job Titles

  A simple way to make your resume more relevant is to match the employer’s job title. For example, a posting for “Human Resources Assistant” may not align with a resume that says “HR Professional,” even if the roles are similar.

  Use the employer’s wording wherever possible without misrepresenting your role.

• 6.

  Scan Similar Job Postings

  After identifying the keywords for the job you’re applying for, review other job postings to spot common skills, tools, and certifications employers value most.

  Identifying these patterns lets you tailor your resume to match the language employers use, improving your chances of getting noticed.

• 7.

  Check Company Websites for Culture Keywords

  Browse the company’s website to identify words and phrases used to describe its culture, including its values, work style, or team environment. 

  Words like “collaborative,” “innovative,” “customer-focused,” or “fast-paced” signal cultural fit. Include them naturally in your resume or cover letter.

Where to Include Resume Keywords

Include keywords throughout your resume, and focus on high-impact sections, like your summary, skills, work experience, and education. If you’re revising your resume, our guide on how to write a resume walks through each section step by step.

See keywords in action with this mock software engineer job ad, which highlights required qualifications in teal and preferred skills in lavender.

Resume Headline

A resume headline is a short, keyword-rich phrase that quickly shows what you offer and grabs recruiters’ attention.

Using high-relevance, required keywords from the mock job description, here’s an example of an attention-grabbing resume headline with keywords bolded:

Software Engineer Building Scalable Applications With JavaScript, Python, and React

Resume Summary or Objective

Whether you’re an experienced job seeker opting for a resume summary or an early-career applicant using a career objective, the same rules apply when it comes to incorporating keywords:

• Use the exact job title from the ad.
• Include two or three skills keywords from the job requirements.
• Add credentials, such as degrees, specializations, or certifications.
• Highlight key expertise when describing accomplishments.

Here’s an example resume summary optimized with keywords from the software engineer mock job ad:

And here’s an example of a career objective:

Work History

Integrate resume keywords naturally into your work history section bullet points by linking them to specific accomplishments, tools, or responsibilities. Describe what you did, how you did it, and the results you delivered while weaving in the terms from the job posting.

Check out these keyword-optimized work history bullets:

Avoid cramming every term from the job ad into your resume or “hiding” keywords in tiny or white text. Keyword stuffing is detectable and can disqualify you from the job.

Skills

Your skills section is a great place for including important ATS keywords because recruiters often scan it first. Focus on both technical and professional skills that match the job posting, using the employer’s exact terms whenever possible.

Here’s an example of a keyword-optimized skills section:

Avoid repeating resume skills keywords you’ve included elsewhere in your resume, which is another way to “keyword-stuff” and a common resume mistake.

Education

Education, certifications, and academic projects are prime sources of resume keywords, especially for early-career candidates or roles with specific credential requirements.

To spot relevant keywords:

• Pull degrees, certifications, or programs listed in the job posting.
• Highlight tools, languages, or methodologies from coursework or projects that match the role (e.g., “REST APIs,” “machine learning,” “SQL databases”).
• Turn projects where you applied skills into keyword-rich bullet points without exaggeration.

Here’s an example of an education section optimized with keywords from the mock software engineer job ad:

You don’t need to have a high skill level or years of experience to include relevant keywords in your resume. By strategically mentioning keywords in key resume sections, you can optimize without lying or exaggerating your qualifications.

Great Keywords for Resumes by Type & Industry

If you’re creating or updating a resume without a specific job in mind, these keyword lists by action verbs and industry can help. For a faster option, use Monster’s Resume Builder to craft a resume with the most relevant keywords for your target role.

Action Verb Keywords for All Jobs

Action verbs are simple yet powerful resume keywords that can be applied to many jobs and industries to add context to your skills.

Resume Keywords by Industry

We’ve organized industry-specific keywords to include in a resume to help you identify and naturally incorporate terms employers are looking for.

Tools for Resume Keyword Optimization

Resume review tools and ATS checkers compare your resume to a job description and provide resume tips based on which keywords are present, missing, or need improvement.

Here are some tools you can use to ensure your resume is optimized with relevant keywords:

While these tools help, don’t rely on them alone. Review each job description to catch nuances, such as company-specific phrasing, preferred qualifications, and culture-fit keywords. Human review combined with automated analysis ensures your resume is ATS-friendly and tailored for recruiters.

Use Resume Keywords Strategically

Think of resume keywords as a storytelling tool. Align your experience with the job description to show recruiters and ATS software that you’re the right fit. Use exact terms from the job ad when they accurately reflect your skills, and integrate keywords naturally into your headline, summary, work history, skills, and education sections.

When used strategically, keywords highlight your strengths, boost your ATS ranking, and increase your chances of landing the job. If you need more help, use our resume templates to create a winning resume and get hired faster.