Our customers have been hired at: *Foot Note
Table of Contents
Get started with MyPerfectResume today!
- Build a resume on any device
- Pick an ATS-friendly template
- Tailor with AI copy suggestions
In today’s digital recruiting era, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords that help identify the most qualified candidate for the role.
Writing an ATS-friendly resume that effectively uses relevant keywords can help you stand out from hundreds of other applicants and increase your chances of landing an interview.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about resume keywords and phrases. Explore resume keyword lists by industry and learn how to incorporate them into your resume.
What Are Keywords in a Resume?
Resume keywords are specific words or phrases that relate to a job’s qualifications, skills, and industry-specific terminology. They help applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters quickly identify relevant candidates by scanning resumes for these targeted terms.
Keywords and phrases for resumes can take many forms, from past job titles to relevant certifications. Here are some examples of common types of resume keywords:
- Skills-based keywords: Highlight technical and soft skills (e.g., project management, data analysis, communication skills).
- Industry-specific keywords: Showcase expertise in a particular field (e.g., SEO for marketing, Agronomy for agriculture).
- Job title keywords: Align with the position you’re applying for (e.g., Sales Manager, Software Engineer).
- Action verbs: Demonstrate measurable accomplishments and responsibilities (e.g., managed, developed, increased).
- Certifications and tools: Display relevant qualifications (e.g., CPA and Salesforce for jobs in accounting, finance, and sales management).
Our AI Resume Builder offers professional content suggestions that include keywords such as job-specific skills and work experience bullet points.
Why Are Resume Keywords Important?
Resume keywords are important because they help ATS software identify candidates whose skills match the job description.
Creating an ATS-friendly resume that includes keywords from the job description increases your chances of passing the initial automated screening and reaching a human recruiter.
Let’s take a look at the sample accounting specialist job description below. We’ve highlighted the industry-specific skills and qualifications for the role—these are the keywords that a job seeker applying for this role should incorporate throughout their resume:
Take a look at the example accounting resume below that demonstrates how a job seeker might choose to incorporate the keywords identified from the job description:
Use our free ATS Resume Checker to scan your resume for ATS compliance and get instant suggestions to improve your resume score.
How to Find Keywords for Your Resume
To find effective resume keywords, start by analyzing job descriptions for repeated skills, qualifications, and action verbs. Focus on industry-specific terms and tools relevant to the role.
Scan the Job Description
The job description is the primary source for identifying resume keywords. The recruiter who wrote the job description will likely be the one directing the ATS to scan for specific words.
Depending on which ATS tool the company uses, the skills and qualifications incorporated throughout the job description might be worded exactly as the ATS will scan for them.
Read the job description carefully to understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Look for words and phrases that describe the skills, experience, and qualifications required for the job.
For example, take a look at the sample job description below. We’ve bolded keywords that highlight important skills and requirements the job seeker should work into their resume.
Customer Service Representative
ABC Company
Responsibilities:
- Respond to customer inquiries and concerns via phone, email, and chat in a timely and professional manner.
- Provide accurate information about products and services to customers.
- Resolve customer complaints and issues by offering solutions and alternatives.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 1+ years of customer service experience
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant software programs
Research Industry-Specific Language
Look at job postings in your target industry and note the hard skills and soft skills required for each job. Pay attention to the specific language and industry jargon used in the job postings.
Research industry-specific websites and publications, such as trade journals, blogs, and forums. These resources can give you insight into the latest trends and technologies in your field.
There are many keyword research tools available that can help you identify industry-specific keywords. Google’s Keyword Planner and SEMrush are some popular tools that can help you find commonly searched terms in your industry.
Explore industry-specific resume templates to see sample resumes that include keywords and phrases valued by hiring managers in your field.
Network With Professionals in Your Industry
Connecting with professionals in your field can reveal the most current and in-demand skills and keywords recruiters are looking for. You can connect with professionals in your target industry through social media, professional organizations, or organized networking events.
Informational interviews, industry events, and online communities provide insights into terminology and trends, helping you tailor your resume with relevant keywords that reflect real-world expectations and increase your chances of getting noticed.
Industry-Specific Keyword Examples for Your Resume
Explore common resume keywords by industry to write a resume tailored to your target role. Remember that the job description is always the primary source for resume keywords. Scan it carefully to identify additional skills and qualifications the employer is seeking.
Agriculture
- Crop management
- Soil science
- Agribusiness
- Farm operations
- Irrigation systems
- Sustainable agriculture
- Livestock management
- Precision agriculture
- Horticulture
- Pest control
- Agricultural equipment operation
- Organic farming
- Supply chain management
- Agronomy
- Greenhouse management
- Harvesting techniques
- Fertilization strategies
- Food safety regulations
- Agricultural sales
Business Consulting
- Strategic planning
- Business analysis
- Process improvement
- Change management
- Market research
- Project management
- Client relations
- Financial analysis
- Risk management
- Operations optimization
- Stakeholder engagement
- Competitive analysis
- Performance metrics
- Data-driven decision-making
- Workshop facilitation
- Organizational development
- Cost reduction strategies
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Business transformation
- Problem-solving skills
Construction
- Project management
- Safety regulations
- Building codes
- Construction materials
- Site supervision
- Budgeting
- Quality control
- Blueprint reading
- Contract negotiations
- Scheduling
- Building inspections
- Subcontractor management
- Cost estimation
- Equipment operation
- Troubleshooting
Customer Service
- Customer satisfaction
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Communication skills
- Call center operations
- Active listening
- Multitasking
- CRM software (customer relationship management)
- Inbound & outbound calls
- Complaint resolution
- Customer retention
- Technical support
- Order processing
- Sales support
- Interpersonal skills
- Service recovery
- Help desk support
- Upselling & cross-selling
- Time management
- Team collaboration
Education
- Curriculum development
- Classroom management
- Instructional design
- Student assessment
- Educational technology
- Differentiated instruction
- Special education
- Professional development
- Learning management systems
- Lesson planning
- E-learning
- Student-centered learning
- Education policy
- Pedagogy
- Educational leadership
Finance
- Financial analysis
- Investment management
- Risk management
- Portfolio management
- Financial modeling
- Taxation
- Accounting
- Corporate finance
- Asset allocation
- Wealth management
- Financial planning
- Trading
- Securities
- Derivatives
- Banking
Government
- Policy development
- Budget management
- Program management
- Grant writing
- Legislative analysis
- Public administration
- Project management
- Contract management
- Regulatory compliance
- Security clearance
- Strategic planning
- Data analysis
- Government affairs
- Policy analysis
- Interagency collaboration
Healthcare
- Patient care
- Electronic medical records
- Healthcare administration
- Medical billing and coding
- Health informatics
- Quality assurance
- Clinical research
- Health care policy
- Healthcare management
- Health insurance
- Medical terminology
- Case management
- Healthcare compliance
- Public health
- Healthcare technology
Hospitality & Tourism
- Customer service
- Event planning
- Food and beverage management
- Front desk management
- Hospitality management
- Hotel operations
- Sales and marketing
- Tourism industry
- Guest relations
- Reservation management
- Culinary arts
- Travel coordination
- Revenue management
- Venue management
- Conference and convention management
Information Technology
- Software development
- Programming languages
- Cybersecurity
- Network administration
- Cloud computing
- Data analytics
- Project management
- IT support
- Information management
- System administration
- Database management
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- IT strategy
- Web development
Insurance
- Insurance policies
- Risk management
- Claims processing
- Underwriting
- Actuarial science
- Insurance sales
- Insurance regulations
- Policy development
- Customer service
- Sales and marketing
- Insurance law
- Fraud detection
- Property and casualty insurance
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
Legal
- Legal research
- Contract negotiation
- Litigation support
- Case management
- Legal writing
- Legal analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Intellectual property law
- Corporate law
- Employment law
- Civil litigation
- Criminal law
- Mediation and arbitration
- Tax law
- Securities law
Manufacturing
- Production planning
- Quality control
- Lean manufacturing
- Supply chain management
- Inventory management
- Process improvement
- Manufacturing automation
- Material handling
- Safety compliance
- Equipment maintenance
- Six Sigma
- Root cause analysis
- Product development
- Continuous improvement
- Manufacturing engineering
Marketing
- Digital marketing
- Brand management
- SEO (search engine optimization)
- Content marketing
- Social media marketing
- Market research
- PPC (pay-per-click) advertising
- Email marketing
- Marketing strategy
- Google Analytics
- Campaign management
- Lead generation
- Public relations (PR)
- Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
- Influencer marketing
- Copywriting
- CRM (customer relationship management)
- Affiliate marketing
- Brand awareness
- Marketing automation
Media & Entertainment
- Video production
- Audio production
- Script writing
- Editing
- Storytelling
- Cinematography
- Social media marketing
- Content creation
- Broadcast journalism
- Event planning
- Public relations
- Photography
- Graphic design
- Digital media
- Creative direction
Professional & Business Services
- Project management
- Business development
- Client relations
- Strategic planning
- Financial analysis
- Contract negotiation
- Sales management
- Marketing strategy
- Human resources management
- Operations management
- Change management
- Risk management
- Process improvement
- Data analysis
- Leadership development
Real Estate
- Property management
- Real estate investment analysis
- Client relations
- Sales management
- Property appraisal
- Lease negotiation
- Market analysis
- Contract negotiation
- Real estate law
- Property development
- Real estate marketing
- Financial analysis
- Property inspection
- Property valuation
- Property tax assessment
Retail
- Sales management
- Customer service
- Inventory management
- Merchandising
- Retail operations
- Visual merchandising
- Product knowledge
- Team leadership
- Marketing strategy
- Point of sale (POS) systems
- Retail sales analysis
- Sales forecasting
- Staff training and development
- Vendor management
- Retail technology
Sales
- Lead generation
- Account management
- Business development
- Cold calling
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Sales forecasting
- Pipeline management
- Negotiation skills
- Closing sales
- Territory management
- B2B sales
- B2C sales
- Market analysis
- Revenue growth
- Product knowledge
- Cross-selling & upselling
- Competitive analysis
- Sales presentations
- Networking & prospecting
- Quota achievement
Tourism
- Hospitality management
- Customer service
- Event planning
- Travel coordination
- Tour operations
- Sales and marketing
- Itinerary planning
- Cultural awareness
- Guest relations
- Destination management
- Revenue management
- Hospitality technology
- Luxury travel
- Eco-tourism
- Travel regulations & compliance
Transportation & Logistics
- Supply chain management
- Freight forwarding
- Logistics management
- Transportation planning
- Route optimization
- Warehouse management
- Inventory control
- Vendor management
- Import/export regulations
- Customs brokerage
- Carrier management
- Shipping documentation
- Load planning
- Dispatching
- Safety regulation compliance
Take the Next Step in Your Career
Make your first impression count with a professionally designed resume that showcases your skills & achievements. Start now & stand out to recruiters!
How to Add Keywords to Your Resume
Incorporate keywords naturally throughout your resume in sections like the summary, work experience, and skills. Focus on matching your achievements to the specific terms used in the job description to help ATS software and hiring managers recognize your fit for the role.
Categorize Your List of Keywords
Once you identify the keywords from the job description and industry-relevant sources, you can group them into the following categories:
- Soft skills (e.g., communication, cross-team collaboration)
- Hard skills (e.g., HTML, Google Analytics).
- Job-related experience (e.g., social media marketing, copywriting)
- Action verbs (e.g., managed, coordinated)
- Job title, education level, certifications, and other prerequisites
When you categorize the keywords you identified from the job description, you can map them to the resume section where they fit most naturally.
For instance, a skill-related keyword works well in the skills section, and an action verb keyword works well in the work history section.
Add Keywords to Your Resume Summary
Include keywords in your resume summary to immediately highlight your relevant skills and experience. Using targeted terms at the top of your resume increases your resume’s chances of passing initial screenings and grabbing the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
For example, let’s say that you gather the following keywords from the job description for a marketing role:
- Marketing manager
- Marketing strategies
- Market research
- Data-driven decisions
- Social media
- Email marketing campaigns
Here’s an example of a resume summary that incorporates these terms (keywords in red):
"Highly motivated and experienced marketing manager with a proven track record of developing and implementing successful marketing strategies. Skilled in conducting market research, analyzing data and metrics, and making data-driven decisions. Proficient in managing and creating content for social media platforms, websites, and email marketing campaigns."
You can use our free AI Resume Summary Generator to get personalized professional summaries that feature essential keywords from your resume.
If you’re writing a resume with no experience, you might consider using a resume objective instead of a resume summary.
Take a look at professionally written resume objective samples to see examples of how to effectively use keywords for a resume objective.
Incorporate Keywords Into Your Work History
Integrate relevant keywords into your job titles, responsibilities, and accomplishments to demonstrate your expertise. Use specific skills and action verbs from the job description to show measurable impact and help ATS tools recognize your relevant qualifications.
For example, let’s say you’re reading a job description that mentions the following requirements:
- Experience creating and executing successful social media campaigns
- Ability to write compelling copy with a successful click-through rate and conversion rate
- Experience organizing and executing successful events
Some of the keywords that stand out in these requirements include “social media campaigns,” “click-through rates,” “conversion rates,” and “organizing and executing events.”
Below is an example of how you could incorporate these keywords into the work history section of your resume (keywords in red):
WORK HISTORY
Marketing Coordinator
ABC Company, San Diego, CA
Feb. 2019 - Present
- Created and executed social media campaigns that increased engagement by 45% and boosted brand awareness, growing followers by 12,000 in 6 months.
- Wrote copy for email marketing, website content, and promotional materials, resulting in a 30% increase in click-through rates and a 20% boost in conversion rates.
- Organized and executed a product launch event that attracted 500+ attendees, generated $50,000 in sales, and increased social media mentions by 60%.
Include Keywords in the Skills Section
List relevant hard and soft skills using the exact terms found in job descriptions. A well-optimized skills section quickly communicates your qualifications to recruiters and reinforces your fit for the role, increasing your chances of landing an interview.
Take note of which skills the job description emphasizes. Does it mostly mention hard skills, interpersonal skills, or a mix of both?
List your skills using bullet points. This will make it easy for employers to quickly scan your resume and pick out the ones they are looking for.
Take a look at the sample skills section below tailored to a job description that mentions "marketing strategy development," "market research," "social media," and "email marketing" (keywords in red):
SKILLS
- Marketing strategy development and implementation
- Market research and analysis
- Social media management and content creation
- Email marketing campaigns and automation
Add Keywords to Your Education Section
In your education section, include relevant keywords related to your field of study, coursework, and degrees.
Use keywords to highlight your academic achievements or relevant coursework that demonstrate you have the necessary skills and experience to succeed in the role.
Let’s say the job description notes that the candidate must have a “Bachelor of Science in Marketing.” Add this degree to your education section using the same wording—but only if you truly have the degree.
In the example below, the job seeker targets keywords such as "bachelor's degree in marketing," "marketing strategy,” and “marketing campaigns" (keywords in red):
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Purdue University - West Lafayette, Indiana
- Completed a capstone project on developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a new product launch.
- Participated in a semester-long internship with a marketing agency, gaining hands-on experience in developing and executing marketing campaigns.
- Member of the Marketing Club, where I collaborated with peers on various marketing projects and attended industry events and workshops to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices.
How Do Applicant Tracking Systems Check for Keywords?
Applicant tracking systems scan resumes for specific keywords that match the job description using a parsing feature that extracts information from resumes, such as contact details, work experience, skills, and education.
They rank candidates based on keyword frequency and relevance, filtering out resumes that don’t align with the job.
Once this information is extracted and organized under a candidate’s profile, the recruiter can easily screen for the keywords they want to see on a candidate’s resume. The following are some of the common methods that ATS tools use to scan for keywords in a resume:
- Exact match: The ATS looks for exact matches of the keywords and phrases listed in the job description. If the keywords match, the resume is considered a good fit and is flagged for further review. Whenever possible, it is a good idea to use exact-match keywords in your resume to demonstrate your fit for the role.
- Semantic matching: This method uses natural language processing (NLP) to identify similar or related terms that match the job requirements. For example, if the job description requires "project management," the ATS will also consider "team leadership" or "project coordination" as relevant keywords.
- Contextual analysis: The ATS considers the context in which the keywords appear to determine their relevance. For example, if the job requires experience with a specific software program, the ATS will look for the keyword in the context of a software-related skill or experience.
Check out our library of resume examples for different jobs and industries to see how to incorporate keywords into your resume.
Do Resume Keywords Need to Use Exact Wording?
Resume keywords don’t always need to match the job description word-for-word, but using precise terms improves your chances with applicant tracking systems.
Although some ATS tools can recognize variations of keywords, such as synonyms or related terms, others cannot, so it’s best to use exact wording if you can do so naturally and accurately.
That is not to say that you shouldn’t also use variations of the keywords throughout your resume. This will likely happen naturally when you target keywords that are highly relevant to your experience and the role you’re applying for.
For example, if a job posting lists “teaching methodologies” as a required skill, you could also use related terms such as “lesson planning” or “student assessments” to describe your experience in this area.
Resume Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Using irrelevant or excessive keywords can harm your chances with both ATS and recruiters. Avoid keyword stuffing, generic terms, or skills you don’t actually possess.
1. Keyword Stuffing
Avoid keyword stuffing (adding too many keywords unnaturally), which can confuse applicant tracking systems and make your resume hard to read. ATS may flag your resume, and recruiters may view it as insincere.
Instead, incorporate keywords into your resume in a natural way that makes sense and adds value to the content. Refrain from listing keywords without any context or explanation.
Rather than solely adding keywords to your resume, create quality content that clearly and concisely showcases your skills and experience.
2. Dishonest Keywords
Including skills or qualifications you don’t actually have can backfire during interviews or skills assessments. ATS may flag inconsistencies, and recruiters quickly notice exaggerations.
Employers may verify your credentials and experience during background checks, and if you are caught lying, it can result in rejection or even termination of employment.
Always use keywords that truthfully reflect your experience to build trust, demonstrate authenticity, and ensure long-term career credibility.
3. Ignoring Soft Skills
Focusing only on technical keywords can make your resume one-dimensional. While hard skills and technical knowledge are important, employers also want to know that you have the necessary soft skills to succeed in the job and fit in with the company culture.
Soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving are often required by employers and valued by ATS. Including these keywords alongside hard skills shows you’re well-rounded, improves your resume’s ranking, and highlights your ability to succeed in team environments.
Key Takeaways
- Resume keywords are specific words or phrases that describe a particular skill, experience, or qualification that an employer is seeking in a candidate.
- Keywords are used in resumes to optimize them for applicant tracking systems and to help recruiters quickly identify the most qualified candidates for a job.
- You can identify keywords to use in your resume by carefully scanning the job description for key skills and qualifications and by searching for industry-specific resume keywords.
- Keywords should be incorporated throughout your resume. Add them to your resume summary, work experience, skills, and the education section.
- Use keywords naturally throughout your resume, focusing on quality over quantity. Only use keywords that accurately reflect your skills and professional experience.
FAQ
What are the best resume keywords?
The best resume keywords are specific skills, qualifications, and action verbs that match the job description and industry standards.
These include hard skills like software proficiency, certifications, and technical expertise, as well as relevant soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
Using precise, job-targeted keywords ensures your resume passes applicant tracking systems and highlights your qualifications to recruiters.
What are 10 key skills to include in a resume?
Ten key skills to include are a mix of hard and soft skills that match the job description. For example:
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Digital marketing
- Software proficiency
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Adaptability
Including targeted skills on your resume improves ATS visibility and demonstrates to recruiters that you have the qualifications needed to succeed in the role.
Should I include keywords in my cover letter?
Yes, including relevant keywords in your cover letter reinforces your fit for the role and helps both ATS and recruiters see your qualifications. Use terms that match the job description, highlighting your skills and achievements naturally.
This alignment strengthens your application by showing consistency between your resume and cover letter, increasing your chances of landing an interview.
Should I bold keywords in my resume?
Bolding keywords in your resume is generally unnecessary for applicant tracking systems, which read plain text. The benefit of strategically bolding important skills or achievements is that it can help human recruiters quickly scan and identify your strengths.
Use bolded text sparingly to highlight key qualifications without making your resume look cluttered or distracting from the overall content.
Are resume keywords location-specific?
Some resume keywords can be location-specific, especially when referring to regional regulations, software, or industry standards.
Including location-relevant terms—like local certifications, city-specific tools, or regionally recognized qualifications—can improve ATS matching and demonstrate to recruiters that you understand the market and requirements of the job’s location.
What are some good resume words?
Good resume words are strong action verbs and industry-specific terms that clearly showcase your achievements and skills. Examples include “led,” “implemented,” “optimized,” “designed,” “analyzed,” “managed,” “collaborated,” and “achieved.”
Using these words strategically helps applicant tracking systems recognize your qualifications and makes your accomplishments more compelling to recruiters.
How we reviewed this article
Since 2012, we have helped more than 11 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
More Articles by Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRWShare this page
Our customers have been hired at:*Foot Note
