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How to Identify ATS-Friendly Keywords for an SEO Executive Resume

By Editorial Team

11th July 2025
5 Mins
Media

In the present competitive nature of the job market, when it comes to recruitment, the software goes on to find eligible candidates. All hiring software filters and ranks resumes before submitting a report to the recruiters concerning selected candidates. If the resume fails to have the right keywords or is not ATS compatible, then it might get rejected. This is a very important matter, so digital marketing guys should design an ATS resume with relevant resume keywords. This article talks about different ways and strategies to optimize SEO executive-level jobs and how to put keywords in your resume, complying with ATS resume tips, so that both humans and machines actually pick it up.

How ATS Reads Your SEO Resume

An ATS scans resumes to identify the relevant keywords matching the job description. It segments your SEO executive resume into sections and compares the content to predefined keyword patterns.


  • No keyword found = no shortlist


  • The system scores resumes based on the frequency of keyword usage and placement


  • Structured formatting is essential for an ATS compliant resume format


  • It can't comprehend creativity—only structured data and text



Knowing this will guide you into making informed decisions to beat the ATS.



How ATS Reads Your SEO Resume

Extracting Keywords from Job Descriptions

The key for successful ATS resume building is to work from the job description for the keywords you need to target. Since each SEO Executive has a particular set of expectations, the more customized your resume for a given job, the higher your chance of getting noticed by applicant tracking systems and human recruiters. Here's how it's done:


  • Perform a scrub of multiple job listings for SEO Executive roles to establish any patterns in required skills.


  • Mark peripheral keywords and skills such as “on-page SEO,” “Google Analytics,” “technical audits,” or “link-building.”



  • Don't use generic buzzwords such as "marketing enthusiast" or "SEO ninja," which are not aligned with the scanning algorithm of an ATS.


  • Placing keywords naturally within your resume content is very important, especially in your skill section, experience, and summary.



In this way, you can create a resume more thinly suited for the ATS and thus greatly heighten your chances of making it through the digital and the human review stages.

SEO Resume Keywords That Work

Your SEO executive resume should include keywords relating to both the industry and the role for digital marketing resume optimization. Use technical terms and platform tools as a mixture.

Power Up Your Resume with These ATS-Friendly Keywords

On-page SEO
Off-page SEO
Technical SEO
Google Search Console
Google Analytics
SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz
Keyword research
Link building
Content strategy
Organic traffic growth
HTML, CSS (basics)
Conversion rate optimization
SERP analysis

Ensure that all these keywords are integrated softly within your accomplishments.

Using SEO Tools to Find Resume Keywords

Keep in mind that this set of tools will allow you to improve your keywords in your resume without any kind of guess. It uses real data! Resume Keywords by mployee.me makes the process of keyword application very definitive and focused:

Real-Time ATS Resume Optimization

  • ✅ Uploading your resume together with a job description immediately begins the process
  • ✅ Recognizing keywords to remove and add to fit the job description
  • ✅ Making your resume take care about ATS from formatting to content
  • ✅ Enhancing your keyword match score for your resume, in real-time
  • ✅ Greater chance of it getting through the filters and finally being seen by recruiters

This is one of the most useful ATS resume tips if you want to fine-tune your SEO Executive resume. Instead of guessing for yourself which keywords are to be used, it provides targeted, actionable insights that make your resume sharper, smarter, and competitive for every application.

Top Action Verbs for SEO Executives

In ATS systems' optimization, verbs with weightage are considered impactful and often indexed for the scanning purpose.

Power Verbs That Strengthen Your SEO Executive resume

Optimized: Optimized meta tags and header structures for on-page SEO and improved the organic search ranking by about 30%.
Managed: Managed all phases of the SEO campaigns across different platforms, including Google Search Console and SEMrush.
Analyzed: Analyzed keyword trends and SERP performances to recommend high search volume search terms for content creation.
Executed: Executed backlink outreach strategies to increase domain authority and referral traffic by 20%.
Created: Created SEO content calendars in close partnership with the content team, which created an opportunity for 45% organic traffic growth.
Implemented: Implemented technical SEO improvements such as site speed optimizations and schema markup integrations.
Monitored: Monitored competitor websites to do keyword gap analyses using tools like Ahrefs and Moz.
Audited: Audited website structure and internal linking to align with SEO best practices and ATS friendly resume formatting.
Boosted: Boosted search visibility for key product pages through enhanced keyword optimization for resume and web content.
Achieved: Achieved a first-page Google ranking for over ten strategic keywords within the span of three months.

Let these verbs lead your resume bullet points to improve alignment with both resume keywords and digital marketing job descriptions.

Resume Phrases That Trigger ATS

It's not just single keywords that matter in the ATS friendly resume. Sometimes, multiword phrases or keyword-heavy utterances convey relevance or impact. These phrases also tend to be how actual duties and accomplishments are expressed in job listings, helping the resume better align with what recruiters and ATS algorithms are looking for. For example:

Action-Driven SEO Resume Statements

  • “Improved organic search rankings by X%” stresses results backed by quantifiable data.
  • “Managed monthly SEO reporting using Google Data Studio” stresses the tool proficiency and the daily tasks.
  • “Implemented technical SEO best practices to reduce page load times” stresses the technical capabilities.
  • “Increased website traffic through backlink strategies” stresses contributing directly to growth.
  • “Conducted competitive keyword analysis using Ahrefs” reflects knowledge of industry tools.

Reports to results-oriented phrases using crucial keywords aid in strengthening your ATS resume. They make sure your resume passes ATS screening and goes on to impress hiring managers with real outcomes.

Mistakes in SEO Resume Keywords

A road to a likely passing of the ATS scan could be an appropriate resume with strong keywords. Yet, if one just crams these keywords into a resume, they may want to be better off without it. Here are the common things to avoid to remain an ATS friendly resume:


  • Excessive use of keywords: Meaningless repetition can set off spam filters.


  • Abbreviations only: Always write out both forms; for example, “SEO (Search Engine Optimization)” once at least.


  • Not using variations: Plural and singular versions like “campaign” and “campaigns” may be used, depending on searching parameters.


  • Use graphics for text: An ATS cannot read text in an image, so keep all important information strictly in text.


  • Generic job titles: Use the exact title in the job ad, for example, “SEO Executive,” versus something broader like “Digital Marketer.”



In principle, a good keyword optimization for resume will result from good ATS compliant resume formatting and natural keyword integration, helping the applicant be shortlisted.



Customizing Your Resume for Each Application

Perhaps the greatest ATS resume tip ever, and also a big one that is often overlooked, is to tailor your SEO Executive resume to the job for which you are applying. One can easily fall into the trap of sending the same resume everywhere, but surely a bit of customization can improve the chances of being noticed.

Here's what to do to get the tailoring right:


  • Read the job description with care. Check for keywords and phrases used by the employer.


  • Update your summary, skills, and experience with exactly the same words found in the listing.


  • Be sure to include important keywords like "technical SEO audits," "local SEO strategy," or "keyword mapping" if they are present in the job listing.


  • Highlight relevant tools. Mention whichever tools appear to be the focus of the particular job: Ahrefs, Moz, SEMrush, or others.


  • Present accomplishments that link with what the employers want.



This direct way of working not only brings some keyword optimization to the ATS—it also shows hiring managers that you have taken the time to listen to their needs and are sincerely interested in their position. It is a finishing touch that can really set you apart.



Make Every Word Count

In the grand scheme of things, a well-optimized resume for an ATS is every word counting. Inasmuch as it is important to consider the exact job description terminology the employer uses, the SEO Executive resume must do so, too. By scanning multiple listings, one can identify the primary keywords that should be naturally featured in the resume. Focus on keywords related to the skills, tools, or outcomes, e.g., on-page SEO, Google Analytics, or link-building strategies. Resume Keywords by mployee.me can be useful to give you an advantage as well. Equally important for the resume are the structure of the resume. 


Opt for an ATS-compatible resume format, and by that, I mean AVOID graphics, tables, and any layout or design elements overly intricate that can confuse a tracking system. Avoid keyword stuffing, which is when keywords are just repeated without real context. Also, steer clear from generic labels "marketing lover", or "SEO ninja." When the right combination of tools, structure, and keywords is applied in your resume, chances are that it will be acknowledged by the ATS and thrown to human eyes.



Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find ATS friendly keywords?

For ATS friendly keywords, review several job descriptions pertinent to your target role, say, an SEO Executive. Look for frequently mentioned terms like “technical SEO,” “Google Analytics,” and “link building.” Other means can be Resume Keywords by mployee.me, which scans your resume and matches it with the job descriptions to suggest the most appropriate resume keywords. 

How do I check if a resume is ATS friendly?

How do you list skills on a resume for ATS?

How do I convert my resume to become ATS friendly?

Is an ATS score of 70 considered good?

Why is the ATS rejecting my CV?

Are ATSs able to read tables in Word?

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