Resume Keywords | How to Use Them to Land Your Dream Job
Keywords aren't just the answer to a higher search engine ranking. Adding resume keywords is the secret to creating a strong job application that lands you a job. In fact, because most recruiters don’t have time to read every word of a resume, they use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen potential applicants. Like a search engine, this system analyses resumes and cover letters to identify keywords and buzzwords that indicate a high-quality applicant.
But that doesn't mean you can include any particular keyword. Only by understanding your industry, choosing the right resume keywords, and integrating them seamlessly into your job application can you hope to land your dream job.
We cover everything you need to know about resume keywords, from selecting the best options to sprinkling them naturally throughout your application. Scroll to the end for our complete list of keywords sorted by industry.
In this guide, you'll find:
What are Resume Keywords?
Some jobs only get around 5 applicants. With so few people applying, recruiters can take their time reading CVs and cover letters – getting to know each candidate. However, as the popularity of a position increases, the more unlikely it is that a recruiter will spend the time reading your application in-depth.
In fact, according to Zety, hiring managers take as little as 7 seconds to skim each resume. And that's after each application is screened by Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). Developed to speed up the hiring process – corporate job applications are just too much to handle – ATS scans the resume for certain keywords that indicate a deeper knowledge of an industry.
In short, it helps filter out the noise.
Resume keywords and phrases are specific bits of jargon and technical terminology that relate to job requirements, skills, expertise, and qualifications. Including these keywords in your applications increases your chances of getting your resume seen by a human recruiter. That's where your personal story and writing quality will shine through. But unless you get past the first hurdle, any effort you put into your resume and cover letter will be pointless.
Why Do Resume Keywords Matter
Adding keywords and phrases is critical for the majority of corporate and high-level jobs, as large organizations tend to pre-scan all applications electronically. These applications are then evaluated for keywords and phrases the employer deems to be necessary.
But with a little ingenuity, you can use keywords to maximize your chance of success. Here are a few advantages you can expect:
1. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS to handle the large volume of resumes they receive. These systems are programmed to identify specific keywords related to the job posting. Resumes that contain these keywords are more likely to pass through the ATS filters and reach the next stage of the hiring process.
2. Matching Job Descriptions: Keywords in a resume signal that the candidate has the desired qualifications and skills. Including keywords from the job description demonstrates that your experience and abilities align with what the employer is seeking.
3. Highlighting Relevant Skills and Experience: Using keywords effectively helps to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly see how you match the job requirements.
4. Competitive Edge: In a pool of numerous applicants, having the right keywords can give you a competitive edge. It shows that you've tailored your resume for the specific role and understand the industry's language.
5. Professionalism and Industry Knowledge: The use of appropriate and up-to-date industry-specific keywords demonstrates your familiarity with the field and shows that you are well-versed in the relevant terminology and trends.
6. Enhancing Visibility: Beyond the initial application process, keywords can also enhance the visibility of your online profiles on job boards or professional networking sites, making you more discoverable to recruiters and hiring managers searching for candidates with specific skill sets.
Strategically using the best keywords in your resume is the optimal strategy for passing automated filters, demonstrating your suitability for the position, and standing out in a competitive job market.
Choosing the Right Resume Keywords
Selecting the best keywords and phrases to add to your job application can be challenging. You'll need to consider the job summary, the employer, industry trends, similar job listings, and the skills and experience required for higher-level positions.
Let's go through these different factors to understand how you identify 4-6 keywords for your resume and cover letter.
Review the Job Summary Carefully
Almost everything you need to know about an employer's criteria is listed in a job summary. Read through the summary, highlighting key phrases related to skills, attitudes, and specific industry terminology.
Use these keywords throughout your application to ensure you hit the right notes – especially the terms the employer used in their opening paragraph.
Examine the Company's Website
The next stop is the company website. Find the sections on values or industry expertise to identify further phrases that you should include. Don't work value-related phrases into your application unnaturally – or try to add every single word. Focus on core traits you think you display.
Read about Common Industry Trends
Think about new technologies, techniques, and other trends reshaping your industry. For example, if you work in marketing, some experience with novel AI content creation tools is expected. Ensure you reference these technologies or your experience with them where relevant.
Analyze Similar Job Listings
Your employer's job description isn't the only source of information. Other similar job listings will also include many of the same resume keywords and phrases. As before, go through highlighting the most relevant terms. The simplest way to rank keywords is to add the top 10 listings into a word cloud generator and identify the most prominent terms.
Look Up the Skills and Experience of Higher-Level Positions
Companies aren't just hiring for today. They want candidates with the best skillset and the most potential for growth. Evaluating the job descriptions of higher-level positions – and using the keywords found – can help you stand out in a competitive marketplace. Note any of the skills and experience listed that you possess and add it to your resume.
Not achieved any of the relevant skills or experience? Add an "areas of interest" section where you demonstrate your motivation and desire to learn more advanced skills and what you're doing about it.
How to Use Keywords in Your Resume and Cover Letter
Identifying the right resume keywords is only the first step. Using the keyword wisely throughout the application is much more difficult without arousing suspicions from the recruiter. Remember, the application is a two-stage process. You need to include sufficient keywords to make it through the automated filtering. However, you also want to impress a recruiter when they eventually read your application. It's a delicate balance.
Follow these tips to achieve the optimal keyword density and usage:
Incorporate Keyword Variations
Most of the resume keywords and phrases you identify will be what's termed primary keywords. These terms are the core of your keyword research. However, including a specific keyword again and again won't yield you extra points. You want to achieve a keyword density (or the frequency of keyword usage) of around 1-2 times per 100 words.
The solution is to include variations and secondary keywords. For example, say you work in marketing. Your primary keyword is "digital marketing." Other options could include "online marketing" or "internet advertising." Meanwhile, the associated secondary keywords include "social media marketing," SEO (search engine optimization)," "content marketing," or "email marketing."
Including these other phrases shows depth and hits more potential resume keywords in the company's ATS.
Add Location-Based Keywords
Depending on the role – e.g., remote or non-remote – adding location-based keywords can ensure you remain relevant. That could be as simple as mentioning the city, state, or even country along with the job title in your resume introduction. It's a big help for recruiters as they scan your application.
Prioritize Hard Skills in Your Keyword Selection
Communication skills, empathy, and time management should be featured in your job application. But these are soft skills. They're important. However, they're mostly expected – especially for higher-level positions. In fact, it's better to leave the soft skills to the interview.
Hard skills, on the other hand, are what companies really look for. Mention these upfront in both your resume and cover letter, emphasizing the talents and experience that you bring to the table.
Distribute Keywords Evenly Throughout Your Application
Never keyword stuff. Your resume keywords should be sprinkled throughout your application – usually around every 100 words or so. Some perfect locations for keywords and phrases include:
Resume Introduction
Work history section
Related skills section
Education and training section
Work the terms into your resume and cover letter naturally as you describe your work and education history. Focus on 4-6 keywords that you include throughout the application.
Best Resume Keywords By Industry
Below, you can find 170 resume keywords for multiple different industries. Feel free to use any of the keywords listed – add a handful throughout your application to get the best results.
Accounting and Finance
1. Financial analysis
2. Budget management
3. Compliance
4. Auditing
5. Tax preparation
6. Risk assessment
7. Cash flow management
8. Financial Reporting
9. Accounts payable/receivable
10. Investment strategies
Administration and Office Support
1. Data entry
2. Scheduling
3. Office management
4. Clerical skills
5. Record keeping
6. Administrative support
7. Customer service
8. Microsoft Office proficiency
9. Time management
10. Communication skills
Business and Management
1. Strategic planning
2. Leadership
3. Project management
4. Business development
5. Operational efficiency
6. Team building
7. Financial acumen
8. Market analysis
9. Negotiation
10. Change management
Construction and Maintenance
1. Project management
2. OSHA compliance
3. Equipment operation
4. Building codes
5. Safety protocols
6. Repair skills
7. Construction planning
8. Preventative maintenance
9. Blueprint reading
10. Quality control
Creative and Culture
1. Design thinking
2. Artistic ability
3. Creative direction
4. Content creation
5. Graphic design
6. Innovation
7. Cultural awareness
8. Branding
9. Storytelling
10. Collaboration
Customer Service and Retail
1. Customer engagement
2. Sales expertise
3. Product knowledge
4. Communication skills
5. Conflict resolution
6. POS systems proficiency
7. Client retention
8. Upselling
9. Inventory management
10. Teamwork
Education and Human Services
1. Curriculum development
2. Child development
3. Counseling
4. Special education
5. Lesson planning
6. Behavioral management
7. Community outreach
8. Case management
9. Student assessment
10. Conflict resolution
Emergency Services
1. Crisis management
2. Emergency response
3. First aid/CPR
4. Public safety
5. Risk assessment
6. Disaster preparedness
7. Law enforcement
8. Communication skills
9. Incident Command
10. Life-saving techniques
Engineering
1. CAD software
2. Project management
3. Problem-solving
4. Technical writing
5. Quality control
6. Product development
7. Risk assessment
8. Process improvement
9. Research and development
10. Industry knowledge
Food Service
1. Food safety
2. Customer service
3. Menu planning
4. Culinary skills
5. Inventory management
6. Cost Control
7. Kitchen management
8. Sanitation
9. Team leadership
10. Event catering
Healthcare and Wellbeing
1. Patient care
2. Medical terminology
3. Healthcare compliance
4. Clinical skills
5. Patient Advocacy
6. EMR proficiency
7. Diagnostic testing
8. Treatment planning
9. Health Education
10. Wellness Coaching
Information Technology (IT)
1. Software development
2. Network security
3. Data analysis
4. Cloud computing
5. Technical support
6. Cybersecurity
7. Database management
8. Coding
9. System Administration
10. Agile methodology
Law and Legal
1. Legal research
2. Compliance
3. Contract negotiation
4. Litigation
5. Case management
6. Regulatory knowledge
7. Legal writing
8. Intellectual property
9. Client counseling
10. Mediation
Marketing and Sales
1. Digital marketing
2. Sales Strategy
3. Market research
4. SEO/SEM
5. Brand management
6. CRM software
7. Lead generation
8. Content marketing
9. Negotiation
10. Customer insights
Personal and Childcare
1. Child development
2. Care planning
3. Time management
4. Safety protocols
5. Nutritional guidance
6. Activity coordination
7. Empathy
8. Patience
9. Communication skills
10. Behavior management
Spa and Salon
1. Customer service
2. Aesthetic skills
3. Product knowledge
4. Appointment scheduling
5. Sanitation protocols
6. Treatment planning
7. Sales expertise
8. Skincare
9. Hairstyling
10. Therapeutic techniques
Transportation and Logistics
1. Supply chain management
2. Logistics planning
3. Inventory control
4. Shipping and Receiving
5. Fleet management
6. Safety compliance
7. Distribution
8. Route planning
9. Warehouse operations
10. Cost reduction
Key Takeaways
Here's a quick recap of everything we learned about in this guide:
Embed resume keywords relevant to the job and industry, enhancing your resume's ATS compatibility and appeal to hiring managers.
Tailor your resume with specific keywords from the job description, demonstrating your alignment and understanding of the role.
Use keywords judiciously to maintain a natural and professional tone, ensuring your resume is effective for both ATS and human reviewers.