Knowing how to identify and strategically employ the correct job keywords is most critical for today’s job seekers. In this guide, we will discuss what CV keywords are, how to effectively select them, and give you step-by-step instructions and examples for optimize resume for ATS and getting noticed by recruiters.
Resume or CV keywords are exact words or phrases that ATS finds in the resume, they are given in the job description. It can be written in any section of the resume, be it skills, summary, title etc. indicating that your profile is a fit for the position.
For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, common key words to use in a resume for marketing include - “SEO”, “Google Analytics”, “content strategy” or “campaign management”. These aren’t just words, they are targeted terms that employers are actively seeking.
How to Choose the Right Resume Keywords [Step-by-Step]
Choosing the right keywords for a resume is not necessarily difficult. Follow this approach and make your resume with both ATS and recruiter expectations:
Step 1: Read the Job Description Very Carefully
The most suitable keywords are found in the job posting. Repeat phrases, necessary skills, devices, or qualifications are hinted at from the repetition of words. If the description says "project management" three times, then see that it naturally finds a place in your CV.
Step 2: Separate Hard Skills and Soft Skills
Hard skills such as "Python," "Excel," or "data analysis" are specific terms that ATS favors. Soft skills such as "leadership," "teamwork," or "problem-solving" are also useful, but they must be mentioned using a proof. For example, instead of writing “I am a good leader”, write something like: “Managed a team of 80 people resulting in a 29% increase in deliverables”.
Step 3: Check Industry Trends
A single skill may be described in several terms. For example, "digital marketing" can also be typed as "online marketing." Find out which terms are trending in your field.
Step 4: Use keyword Tools
There are free online tools like “Resume keywords by mployee.me” that can assist you in resume optimization for ATS by scanning against job description. The tools point out missing job keywords and show the match score between your resume and the job description.
Step 5: Incorporate Keywords Naturally
You can't just add keywords as you like in your resume. You have to place them in various sections of your resume such as in your professional summary, experience section, and skills section.
By following this step-by-step process, you’ll ensure your CV reflects the most relevant resume keywords for each role.
How to Pick the Right Resume Keywords: A Practical Example
Let’s walk through an example to illustrate how to apply the process above. Imagine you’re applying for a job titled Digital Marketing Manager.
Step 1: Review the Job Description
Here’s a resume for Digital Marketing Manager, your task is to identify keywords from it.
Manage and improve SEO to increase website visibility.
Use Google Analytics to track and report campaign performance.
Plan and run social media campaigns to grow engagement.
Oversee content creation for blogs, posts, and marketing material.
Encourage team collaboration to deliver successful marketing projects.
Step 2: Extract Resume Keywords
From the above job description, the top key words to use in a resume would include:
Manage and improve SEO to increase website visibility.
Use Google Analytics to track and report campaign performance.
Plan and run social media campaigns to grow engagement.
Oversee content creation for blogs, posts, and marketing material
Encourage team collaboration to deliver successful marketing projects.
Professional Summary: "Digital Marketing Manager with 4+ years of experience in SEO, Google Analytics, and content creation."
Work Experience: "Created and implemented social media campaigns that boosted engagement by 40%."
Skills Section: "SEO | Google Analytics | Social Media | Content Creation | Team Collaboration"
This makes sure that both the ATS and human recruiters are able to quickly notice that you qualify for the job.
To know more keywords for various job description use keyword tool
Step 4: Double-Check with a Resume Scanner
Scan your CV using an AI resume checking software to be on the same page. These programs provide you with a percentage score and highlight what keywords are missing, and you can then add them before applying.
Here is how simple it can be to convert an ordinary resume into one that is ATS-friendly and attention-grabbing.
Advantages of Resume Keywords
Using the correct job keywords on your CV has numerous benefits:
Pass ATS Filters: Ensures that your resume does not get rejected automatically.
Catch Recruiter Attention: You have to show that you're fluent in the employer's language.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Draws attention to the skills most relevant to the job.
Increase Interview Chances: A keyword-enhanced CV has much greater chances of getting you an interview.
Boost Confidence: When you know your resume is optimized against the job description, you have an advantage over competitive applicants.
These advantages are evidence that one of the most intelligent job search strategies is making resume keyword optimization a top priority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
With the best of intentions, candidates tend to make mistakes while attempting to inject resume keywords. Following are some mistakes you must not commit:
Keyword Stuffing: Excessive use of keywords is artificial and reduces readability.
Generic Terms: Terms such as "hardworking" or "committed" do not create measurable value.
Copying Without Context: Mere copying of job descriptions in your CV without using examples does not work.
Omitting Synonyms: Use synonyms when necessary, such as "Project Management" and "PM."
Not Updating Frequently: Keywords to use in a resume change with advancements in the industry, and it is important to stay current.
Avoiding these errors will optimize resume for ATS naturally while continuing to impress human recruiters.
Expert Job Search Tips for Keyword Success
For job seekers who want to take it to the next level, here are a few expert strategies:
Research Competitor Resumes: Check out profiles of professionals in your desired role on LinkedIn to find keywords to use in a resume.
Customize for Each Role: One-size-fits-all resumes rarely succeed. Tailor your document for every application, according to the keywords in job description
Leverage Job Boards: Many platforms suggest trending key words to use in a resume for popular industries.
Track Your Performance: Not getting calls and your resume is still not getting selected, then run your resume through ATS checker tools.
Balance Hard and Soft Skills: ATS search for technical terms, but recruiters look for personality traits along with technical terms so you would have to combine both.
These job search tips take your resume to the next level and ensure that you get the best opportunity to get shortlisted.
950+ Resume Keywords Divided by Industry
Although resume keywords are tailored to the job description, there are some valuable skills recruiters are always keeping an eye on.
Below, you will find a tailored list of top keywords for every profession and industry.
31+ Architecture and Construction Resume Keywords [A-Z]
Abstraction
Architectural Codes
Architectural Rendering
AutoCAD
Bilingual
Building Codes
Building Construction
Building Systems
Computer Processing
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Conceptualization
Construction Administration
Construction Documents
Creative Thinking
CSS
Design Concepts
Design Development
Design to Delivery
Fire Safety
HTML
Imagination
Industrial Design
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
Managing Expectations
Model Making
Residential Construction
Retail Construction
Sustainable Design
Technical Vision
User interface design
Visual design
Zoning Codes
53+ Health Care Resume Keywords [A-Z]
A-V Graft
Average response time
Beta-test
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac Cathlab
Case history reports
Caseload management
Central Line Placements
Composite Health Care System
CPR
Diagnosis
Electrophoresis
Emergency treatment
ER
Fistula Revascularizations
Flow sheets
Government requirements
HMO
Hospital procedure
ICU
Immunizations
Instructions
Instrument trays
L&D Trays
Medical assistance
Nursing practitioners
Nursing staff
Occupational therapy
OR Nurse
Outpatient
Pacemaker
Paternity tests
Patient care procedures
Patient comfort
PCR
Physician prescriptions
PICC Lines
Plastic surgery
Policies
Prescription drug
Presentations
Quality of care
Samples
Satisfaction surveys
Sedation
Skin grafts
Special Procedures Unit
Surgical equipment
Swan-Ganz Catheter
Tests
Traumatized patients
Treatment
Ultrasound
Water safety
108+ Manufacturing Resume Keywords [A-Z]
Accident Prevention
Assembly
Asset Management
Audit Control Procedures
Automated Manufacturing
Capacity Planning
Capital Budget
Capital Machinery Acquisition
Capital Project
Cell Manufacturing
CNC / PLC Machining
Computer Integrated
Concurrent Engineering
Continuous Improvement
Cost Avoidance
Cost Reductions
Cross-Functional Teams
Cycle Time Reduction
Distribution Management
Efficiency Improvement
Environmental Health & Safety
Equipment Management
Ergonomically Efficient
Facilities Consolidation
Facility Management
Forecasting / Budgeting
Inventory Control
Inventory Management
Inventory Planning
ISO 9000 Compliance
Just-In-Time (JIT)
Labor Efficiency
Labor Relations
Lean / Agile Manufacturing
Logistics
Logistics Management
Machine Downtime
Manufacturing (CIM)
Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing Integration
Manufacturing Technology
Master Schedule
Materials Management
Materials Planning
Materials Replenishment
Multi-Site Operations
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
On-Time Delivery
Operating Budget
Operations Management
Operations Reengineering
Operations Start-Up
Optimization
Order Fulfillment
Order Processing
Outsourcing
Participative Management
Performance Improvement
Physical Inventory
Pilot Manufacturing
Plant Management
Plant Operations
Preventative Maintenance
Process Automation
Process Improvement
Process Redesign/Reengineering
Procurement
Product Development & Engineering
Product Rationalization
Product Testing / Validation
Production Forecasting
Production Lead Time
Production Management
Production Methodologies
Production Output
Production Plans/Schedules
Production Scheduling
Productivity Improvement
Profit & Loss (P&L) Management
Project Budget
Prototype Design
Purchasing / Procurement
Purchasing Management
Quality Assurance
Quality Circles
Regulatory Compliance
Re-Tooling
Safety Documentation
Safety Management
Safety Training
Shipping & Receiving Operation
Six Sigma
Spares & Repairs Management
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
System (MRP)
Technology Integration
Time & Motion Studies
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Traffic Management
Turnaround Management
Union Negotiations
Value-Added Processes
Vendor Management
Warehouse Management
Work in Progress (WIP)
Workflow Optimization
Workforce Management
World Class Manufacturing (WCM)
Yield Improvement
89+ Social Work Resume Keywords [A-Z]
Abuse
Action Plan
Addiction
Adoption
Advocate
After Care
ANSA
Anxiety
Behavioral
BIRP Note
Budget
Campaign
CANS
CBT
Collaboration
Community
Compliance
Consultation
Continuum
Coordinate
Coping
Counseling
Criminal
Crisis
DBT
Depression
Develop
DID
Disability
Discharge
Disorder
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorder Inventory
Education
Elder
End of Life
Evaluate
Facilitate
Family
Follow-up
Foster
Geriatric
Grant (Writing)
Harm Reduction
Home Care
Hospice
Individualized
In-home
Insurance
Intake
Interdisciplinary
Interpersonal
Intervention
Lead
Lobby
Medicaid
Medical
Mental Health
MIRP Note
Needs
NEO Personality Inventory
OCD
Paranoid
Peach Care
Planning
Prevention
Prison
Psychiatric
PTSD
Recidivism
Record
Recovery
Referral
Rehabilitation
Resolution
Retention
Schizophrenia
Self-harm
ShareNote
SOAP Note
Sobriety
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
State
Substance
Suicide
Supervision
Support
Team
TheraNest
Treatment
Last Thoughts: Resume Keywords
In the current job market, even with proper qualifications, courses you may not get hired because you have to show them in the right way. By using right resume keywords, changing your resume for every application for various companies and using ATS tools you can get your resume both ATS-friendly and recruiter-friendly.
Keep in mind, keywords are not filler words, you can't just write keywords anywhere in the resume, they're an indication of your skills, accomplishments, and professional narrative. By discovering the best ways to optimize a resume for ATS, you get an unfair advantage in a crowded job market.
Take time to find the right keywords from the job description, add them naturally in your resume and take help from tools and examples. By using these job search tips you will optimize resume for ats while increasing your chances of landing interviews and also make sure your CV communicates exactly what employers are looking for.
In the end, it’s not just about applying to jobs, it’s about applying smart. And smart applications always begin with the right resume keywords
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyword for a job application?
A job application keyword is a specific term or phrase that corresponds to the skills, qualifications, or requirements specified in the job post. Software names, certifications, or job titles are some examples. Keywords assist Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and recruiters to instantly determine whether your profile is suitable for the position.
Is it good to emphasize keywords in a resume?
How to find keywords for ATS?
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Our career blog is your go-to resource for insightful advice, practical tips, and the latest trends in the job market.