Did you know that most resumes never make it to a recruiter’s desk? Instead, they’re first scanned by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

In fact, around 75% of resumes are filtered out by ATS before anyone even looks at them. This makes using the right keywords a must, not a choice.

Resume keywords work like clues that tell the ATS whether your skills, experience, and language fit the job.

If you can spot the right keywords from the job description and use them naturally, you’ll increase your chances of getting through the ATS and in front of a recruiter.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to find those powerful keywords, use them in your resume, and boost your chances of getting noticed.

Why Resume Keywords Matter?

When you apply for a job, your resume is often scanned by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it’s ever seen by a human.

The ATS checks for specific keywords to see if your skills and experience match the job. If your resume doesn't include the right keywords, it may not even make it to the recruiter’s desk.

So, before jumping to the how to find the right resume keywords, let’s understand the why it matters:

• Resumes typically include only about 51% of the relevant keywords from the job description. This means that many resumes are missing key terms that would show they’re a good match for the role. If your resume doesn’t include the right keywords, it’s likely to get overlooked by the ATS.

• Job descriptions usually contain around 43 keywords on average. These are the specific skills, qualifications, and job-related terms the ATS looks for. Understanding which keywords are important in the job description is the first step in making sure your resume aligns with the role.

• 63% of recruiters prefer resumes that are customized to the job description. Customizing your resume to highlight the keywords from the job posting shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and align your experience with what the employer is seeking. It increases your chances of standing out and getting noticed.

What Counts as a Resume Keyword?

Resume keywords can be broken down into several categories, each representing an important aspect of your qualifications. Here’s a breakdown of what counts as a keyword on your resume:

1. Hard Skills

Here, you should mention the technical abilities you've mastered. These skills show what you can do and how well you perform specific tasks.

Examples: React, Figma, Python, ROI analysis, payroll processing.

2. Soft Skills

These personal qualities highlight how you work with others and handle challenges. They reveal your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively.

Examples: Problem-solving, leadership, communication, adaptability.

3. Tools & Technologies

When listing tools and technologies, focus on the programs or platforms you’ve used. This shows you’re familiar with the systems that are essential for the job.

Examples: Jira, HubSpot, AWS, Notion, Adobe Photoshop.

4. Role-Specific Keywords

For this category, use keywords that directly relate to the tasks and responsibilities of the job you’re applying for. This shows that you understand the role’s requirements.

Examples: Customer onboarding, pipeline management, sprint planning, account management.

5. Industry-Specific Terms

Mentioning industry-specific language shows that you’re familiar with the trends, regulations, and needs of the field you’re working in.

Examples: GDPR compliance, HIPAA, SaaS churn reduction, blockchain.

6. Action Verbs

Use strong action verbs to describe your achievements. These words help you highlight the impact you’ve made in past roles and show that you take initiative.

Examples: Optimized, developed, increased, led, executed, implemented etc.

Step-by-Step: How to Find the Right Resume Keywords From Any Job Description

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you find and use the right keywords from any job description to optimize your resume:

Step 1: Break Down the Job Description

Start by carefully reading the job description. Most job descriptions are organized into sections that make it easy to spot the keywords. Look for:

• Responsibilities

• Requirements

• Preferred qualifications

• Tools or software

• Soft skills expectations

Each of these sections will contain valuable keywords that highlight what the employer is looking for. Copy the job description into a document and highlight important nouns, verbs, and skills.

For example, in the "responsibilities" section, you’ll find tasks and duties.

In the "requirements" section, you’ll find technical skills and qualifications.

Step 2: Identify Keyword Frequency

As you read through the job description, look for words that are repeated. Recruiters and employers often repeat key skills to emphasize their importance. For example:

• “Manage cross-functional teams”

• “Collaborate with cross-functional partners”

• “Coordinate cross-functional communication”

The repeated term here is “cross-functional.” If you have experience with this skill, it should definitely be included in your resume.

Studies show that recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds scanning a resume. Repeating the most important keywords makes it easier for them to see if you're a good fit quickly.

Step 3: Extract Hard Skills and Tools

Next, focus on the hard skills and tools mentioned in the job description. These carry the most weight in ATS systems.

Here’s an example of a job description extraction for a Software Engineer role:

Step 6: Use Tools That Extract Keywords Automatically

You can also use simple tools to extract the right keywords automatically. Tools like Jobscan’s Resume Keyword Scanner and Teal’s Job Description Analyzer scan any job description and highlight the skills, verbs, tools, and role-specific phrases you should include.

Both rely on NLP to read the JD, group and rank keywords by importance, and show you which ones your resume is missing. This makes the whole process faster and keeps you from guessing what to include.

Step 7: Prioritize Only Keywords Relevant to Your Experience

When you add keywords to your resume, make sure not to overstuff it. ATS systems can easily detect when keywords are used too much or unnaturally.

A 2023 study found that 82% of a resume's success in automated selection comes from matching the right skills and keywords. This shows how important it is to use relevant and accurate keywords in your resume.

Only include keywords you can back up with real experience. If you can’t provide examples or metrics to support a keyword, leave it out.

Using the right keywords the right way will help your resume get noticed by the ATS and recruiters without it looking forced or overdone.

Step 8: Insert Keywords Naturally Into Your Resume

Now that you’ve identified the right keywords, make sure they fit naturally into your resume. Here’s where to place them:

• Title/Headline (e.g., “Frontend Developer: React, TypeScript, Next.js”)

• Summary section

• Experience bullet points

• Skills section

• Tools & Technologies section

For example, instead of just saying, “Worked on frontend tasks,” you could say, “Developed React-based UI components, improved performance by 22%, or collaborated with cross-functional teams using Agile, Jira, and GitHub workflows.”

Step 9: Validate Your Keywords With Real Data

It’s one thing to add keywords to your resume. It’s another to add the right ones.

You should know what recruiters actually look for, and back your choices with real data. For instance, LinkedIn study shows that when recruiters focus on skills‑first searches, they see significantly better responses.

Step 10: Maintain a Keyword Bank for Multiple Roles

If you’re applying for several similar roles, such as Software Engineer, Product Manager, or Data Analyst, it’s helpful to maintain a list of:

• Recurring keywords

• Tools

• Responsibilities

• Verbs

• Company-specific language

This will save you time when updating your resume and help you keep it accurate for each job you apply to.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, finding the right resume keywords isn’t about tricking the system, it’s about proving you’re the right fit for the job.

Since most recruiters rely on ATS to scan resumes, the candidates who succeed are the ones who tailor their resumes to the job description.

By breaking down the job posting, using tools to extract keywords, and placing them naturally in your resume, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed.

Following these 10 steps will help your resume pass the ATS and stand out to recruiters. You can try using tools like Airwork to make the process easier and ensure your resume is optimized to stand out.

FAQs

1. How many resume keywords should I include?

Most resumes use 20-35 keywords, depending on seniority and role type. Don’t force them, keep it natural.

2. Should I repeat keywords?

Yes, but only where relevant. ATS systems reward consistency, not stuffing.

3. Do keywords differ for each application?

Yes. Always customize. Even the same role across two companies will have different requirements.

4. Should soft skills be added as keywords?

Yes, but show them through achievements. A bullet point supported by metrics is more credible.