how to write a resume with keywords

Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]

The use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by companies is on the rise.

ATS is a software that scans every application that comes in for a job.

Based on the job requirements and profile, it decides whether a recruiter should see a resume or not.

And the odds are not in your favor:

ATS rejects, on average, around 75% of job applications.

Even if you get past this obstacle, the recruiter will only give your resume a glimpse. 

It takes him/her around 6 seconds to decide your entire future. 

So how can you get yourself noticed? 

Resume keywords.

Both ATS as well as the hiring manager scan for relevant keywords that fit what they are looking for. 

If you know how to properly use resume keywords, you’ll have a leg up on ATS (and the competition).

• What Are Resume Keywords?

How to Pick the Right Resume Keywords [Step-by-Step]

• 880+ Keywords Divided by Industry 

What are Resume Keywords? 

Resume keywords are words or phrases that describe specific job requirements. 

They are the abilities, skills, expertise, and values that the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. 

Hint: Abilities, skills, and values you should possess. 

We know what you’re thinking: 

How important can a bunch of words really be?

Well, as we’ve already hammered down, your resume will often be screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . 

This system has inbuilt software that filters the different applications that come in. 

The recruiter writes a list of keywords in the ATS system. These are the job requirements.

The ATS then scans your applications for those specific keywords that the recruiter plugged in.

If you don’t have the right amount of them, your resume gets thrown in the software void and never reaches the recruiter. 

So, what kind of resume keywords should you include?

Well, they vary from job to job.

We’ll get into more details in the next section, but here’s an example so you get the idea:

Let’s say you are an architect applying for a senior position in a large firm. 

This is your resume summary :

“A detail-oriented and qualified senior architect who excels in developing construction drawings, creating 3D models, and conducting architectural research and analysis.” 

The system reads these keywords in your resume summary:

• Detail-oriented
• Senior Architect
• Construction Drawings

The system registers which of these keywords match the ones set as a requirement by the recruiter.

CHECK: senior architect

CHECK: construction drawings

CHECK: 3D models

NOT CHECK: computer-aided design (CAD) 

NOT CHECK: 10 years of experience

Now, you might have experience with CAD and also have more than ten years of experience. 

But because the ATS didn’t read it, it did not count it, and you might be rejected at this very first stage.

This example perfectly demonstrates the importance of keywords with ATS.

But as we’ve already mentioned, that’s not it. Resume keywords also help impress the recruiter. 

Well, imagine you’re looking for a new laptop online and the seller’s website doesn’t provide the critical details you need in the description, like what the resolution, RAM, processor, or graphics are. 

You’ll scan the page looking for these keywords. If you don’t find them, you’ll just move on to a different website. 

This is the same process that recruiters go through in pursuit of the best person for the job. 

Even with all those resumes failing ATS, hiring managers don’t have time to read all passing resumes line by line.

They usually evaluate resumes only by scanning for a predetermined list of keywords. 

Think of them as an ATS but in human form:

One that gets tired and bored by looking at the same thing over and over.

You want to stand out from the other pool of applicants and get noticed.

You can do that by picking the right resume keywords .

Keep in mind, though, that resume keywords won’t do much unless you’re using an ATS-friendly resume template. After all, if the ATS CAN’T even read your resume, it won’t be able to scan for the keywords!

Novorésumé's resume templates are built with ATS in mind. Just pick one, and you won’t have to worry about formatting!

So how do you pick the keywords the ATS and the recruiter are looking for?

First, scan the job ad for keywords. 

If your resume keywords match the ones given in the job ad, you have a higher chance of getting an interview. 

There are two main categories of keywords the recruiters or managers are looking for: (1) job-related skills and (2) action verbs.  

Job-related keywords describe your primary skills (both hard and soft) and your core qualifications for this particular job. 

e.g: Computer Science, Social Media, Photoshop, Critical-thinking, etc. 

Action verbs , on the other hand, demonstrate action: they show what you have accomplished and how you have succeeded in your previous experience.  

e.g: managed, developed, planned, maximized, etc. 

So, in your resume scan, you should be looking for both job-related keywords and action verbs.

Once you’ve pinpointed all relevant keywords from the job description, it’s time to put them down in your own resume.

But which section do they go under, exactly?

Generally: 

• Job-related keywords go under your “Skills”
• Action verbs will help you with your job descriptions in the “Work Experience” section . 
• Education requirements will be reflected in your “Education” section , 
• Job title descriptions will go on your resume summary.

Are they looking for someone with Photoshop skills?

“Photoshop” is a job-related keyword and you happen to be a pro at it!

So you would put it down under your “Skills” section.

Easy, right?

We’ll demonstrate how exactly you can pinpoint relevant keywords and use them in your resume with the example below.

Before we get to that, though, two words of caution:

Don’t overdo it.

And don’t lie .

Do not use keywords just for the sake of having them in your resume. 

They need to be used in the right context and reflect your actual skills/achievements. 

An ATS can’t spot redundancy or a lie, but the recruiter surely can. 

So stay honest , relevant , and accurate with your use of resume keywords.

Not sure whether the keywords in your resume are relevant? Here’s how you can be sure: 

Pick two to five job advertisements that are similar to the one you are applying for and identify frequently used keywords. Make a list, and include them in your resume (as long as they match your qualifications, of course). 

How to Pick the Right Resume Keywords: A Practical Example

So how do all the steps we described look like in practice?

Let’s take a real-life job posting.

Below is a Software Developer job ad.

Step 1: Highlight all the relevant keywords.

We are looking for a software developer with 5+ years of experience to create and execute functional, practical programs. Throughout the job, you will have to collaborate with other programmers and software developers. Your main objective will be to develop powerful, high-quality, user-focused programs and systems. 

Job Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree (BSc/BA) in computer engineering , computer science or similar degree.
• Must understand in-depth the implications of software engineering.
• Previous, proven experience on a number of projects for software development.
• Experience with software designing in a test-driven environment.  
• Deep knowledge of the frameworks /systems( AngularJS, Git ) and coding language (e.g: C++, Javascript ). 
• The willingness to work in a constantly changing world. Ability to adapt to new technologies and software languages. 
• Creativity is a bonus.
• Great communication and teamwork skills . 
• Attentive to detail .

Job Responsibilities: 

• Work with programmers to build algorithms and flowcharts . 
• Produce clean, usable, datatype-based software.  
• Incorporate software components and programs from third parties. 
• Validate and implement programs and systems. 
• Fix, debug and improve existing software. 
• Collect and analyze feedback from the client. 
• Suggest and enact improvements.  
• Create technical paperwork for reference and reporting purposes.

Step 2. As you’re highlighting, divide the relevant keywords into job-related and action verbs. 

This will make it super easy for you to write the resume. 

Step 3: Now, we’ll make another division. 

This is based on the resume sections which each keyword should fall under.

RESUME SUMMARY: 

• Software Developer 
• Software designing
• 5+ years of experience 
• User-focused 

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High-quality 
• Incorporate
• Test-driven environment
• Datatype-based software
• Technical paperwork
• Communication skills 
• Attentive to detail 
• AngularJS, Git
• Coding language
• Bachelor's degree (BSc/BA)
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science

Step 4: What’s left is to reflect upon strengths and choose the best keywords for you.

Keep in mind not all keywords should be included in the resume: only the qualifications and achievements which are relevant to your experience. 

Once you’ve decided all the resume keywords relevant to you, use them in your resume.

Step 5: Finally, let’s put everything together. 

Take a look at Melissa’s Software Developer ATS tailored resume .

Melissa went through all the described steps in this example and integrated all relevant keywords into her resume. 

Melissa just upped her shot at getting that interview .

Now it’s your turn! 

In the next section, we’ll show you the most relevant resume keywords for your profession.

880+ 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. 

Discover the industry-specific keywords that HR managers, recruiters and the ATS look!

53+ Education and Training Resume Keywords [A-Z]

119+ information technology resume keywords [a-z], 45+ law enforcement resume keywords [a-z].

• 59+ Tourism and Hospitality Resume Keywords [A-Z]

115+ Marketing and Business Administration Resume Keywords [A-Z]

• 143+ Finance and Accounting Resume Keywords [A-Z]

57+ Human Resources Resume Keywords [A-Z]

32+ architecture and construction resume keywords [a-z], 54+ health care resume keywords [a-z], 109+ manufacturing resume keywords [a-z], 91+ social work resume keywords [a-z].

• Administration
• Co-directed
• Cognitive Skills
• Collaboration
• Community Building
• Computer-based Training
• Discipline,
• Field Instruction
• Fundraising
• Holistic Learning
• Individualized Education
• Instruction
• Integration
• Interactive
• Interpersonal
• Job Placement
• Multi-class
• Parent Communications
• Parent-teacher Meeting
• Peer Counseling
• Program Development
• Public Relations
• Recruitment
• Relationship Building
• Setting Boundaries
• Verbal Communication
• Writing Lesson Plans
• Writing Reports
• Written Communication
• Access platform
• Ad creative/impression/inventory/rotation analysis/configuration/deployment/design
• Application Technology
• Architecture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Banner advertisement
• Business Analysis
• Business Continuity
• Business support systems (BSS)
• Business Transformation
• C++ Programming
• Capital Budgets
• Certificate authority
• Change Management
• Channel behavior / conflicts/marketing/outcomes/profitability/promotion/satisfaction
• Cloud Computing
• Co-branding
• Competitive intelligence
• Compliance and Security
• Component development
• Customization and Configuration
• Data Centre Operations
• Data Controller
• Data Gathering
• Data Localization
• Data mining/warehousing
• Database Administration
• Database Design
• Database Development
• Database Integration
• Database Management
• Delivery Systems
• Design Patterns
• Digital Marketing (pull/push)
• Digital Media
• Disaster Recovery
• Distributed Systems
• Distribution channels
• Electronic data interchange (EDI)
• Electronic marketing
• End-User Support
• Enterprise Systems
• Fault Analysis
• Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Global HITS
• Graphic design
• Information Security
• Information Technology
• Infrastructure Development
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• Java Technology
• Knowledge management
• Machine Learning
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Multiplatform Integration
• Needs Assessment
• Network Administration
• Network Engineering
• Network solutions
• Open Source Technology
• Operations support systems (OSS)
• Privacy Policy
• Process Reengineering
• Product Launch
• Product Lifecycle Development
• Product Testing
• Professional Service
• Program Management
• Programming / Coding
• Project Management
• Quality Assurance / Code Testing
• Research & Development
• Resource Management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Scalability and Product Extensions
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Service-Oriented Architecture
• Software Configuration
• Software Development
• Software Engineering
• Software Installation / Upgrade
• Software-as-as-Service
• Solutions Delivery
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• System Integration
• Systems Administration
• Systems Configuration
• Systems Deployment
• Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Technical Documentation
• Technical Support
• Technology Stack
• User Interface Design
• Vendor Management
• Visual Basic
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
• Vortals (Vertical Industry Portals)
• Web Administration
• Web-Based Technology
• Workflow Management
• Yield Management
• Acquisition
• Adjudication
• Administrative law
• Community engagement
• Copyright law
• Crime analysis
• Crime prevention
• Crisis management
• Depositions
• Due diligence
• Intellectual property
• Interrogation
• Joint venture
• Judicial affairs
• Juridical doctor
• Landmark decision
• Legal advocacy
• Legal research
• Legislative review
• Limited partnership
• Negotiation
• Police surveillance
• Probate law
• Unfair compensation
• Uniform patrol
• Will preparation
• Witness protection

59 + Tourism and Hospitality Resume Keywords [A-Z]

• Adherence To Policies And Procedures
• Attention To Detail
• Back Office Operations
• Banquet Operations
• Central Reservation System (CRS)
• Client Needs Assessment
• Club Management
• Competitive Analysis
• Customer Service
• Event Coordination
• Facility Management
• Flexibility
• Food And Beverage
• Food Sanitation
• Front Desk Operations
• Guest Relations
• Guest Retention
• Guest Services
• Health & Safety
• Hospitality Management
• Housekeeping
• Human Resources
• Inventory Planning
• Kitchen Operations
• Maintenance
• Meeting Planning
• Menu Planning
• Multi-Unit Operations
• Multitasking
• New Product Development
• Portion Control
• Procurement
• Promote Services
• Property Development
• Property Management
• Quality Assurance
• Recall Customer Programs
• Regulatory Compliance
• Reservations
• Resolving Complaints
• Resort Management
• Revenue Projections
• Service Management
• Training & Development
• Transportation
• Travel and Tourism
• Account Management
• Acquisitions
• Administrative Support
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Advertising
• Analyzing Data
• API (Application Programming Interface)
• BI (Business Intelligence)
• Brand Associations
• Brand Awareness
• Brand Salience
• Budget Management
• Build Relationships
• Business Development
• Business Intelligence
• Business Plans
• Business Process
• Business Strategy
• Business Systems
• Case Management
• Client Relationships
• Client Services
• CMS (Content Management System)
• Commissioning
• Complex Projects
• Continuous Improvement
• Contract Management
• Cooperation
• Correspondence
• CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
• Cross-Functional Team
• Customer Experience
• Daily Operations
• Data Analysis
• Data Collection/Entry
• Data Management
• Data Quality
• Digital Marketing
• Employee Engagement
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
• ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)
• HRIS (Human Resources Information System)
• IBM (International Business Machines)
• Information Systems
• Internal Communications
• Inventory Management
• KPI (Key Performance Indicators)
• Management Consulting
• Market Research
• Operating System
• Operational Excellence
• Performance Management
• Portfolio Management
• Process Development
• Process Improvement
• Product Management
• Product Marketing
• Product Quality
• Project Delivery
• Quality Assurance/Control/Management
• R (Programming Language)
• Relationship Building/Management
• Sales Management
• SAP (System Application Products)
• SDL (Software Development Lifecycle)
• Service Blueprint
• Spreadsheets
• Stakeholder Management
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Standardization
• Statistical Analysis
• Status Report
• Strategic Direction
• Strategic Planning
• Strong Analytical Skills
• STP Analysis (Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning)
• Supply Chain Management
• SWOT Analysis
• Value Proposition

143+ Finance and Accounting Resume Keywords

• (FASB) Financial Accounting Standards Board
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Adjusting/closing entries
• Analysis/analyzing
• Annual Budget
• Annual Reports
• Asset Management
• Audit/auditing/audit controls
• Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
• Balance sheet
• Benefits administration
• Budget/budgeting/budget control
• Business plan
• CAD (Cash Against Documents)
• Capital budget
• Cashflow Statement (CFS)
• Cash management
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
• Chart of accounts
• Client/client base
• Collections
• Commercial lending
• Consumer lending
• Contract management
• Corporate governance
• Corporate treasury
• Cost accounting
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Cost-Effective
• Cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Cost reduction and avoidance
• Credit management
• Debt management
• Debt refinancing
• Debt service
• Debt to worth
• Depreciation/accelerated depreciation
• Disbursements
• Discount cash flow
• Dividend(s)
• EBIT/EBITDA
• Efficiencies
• Equity underwriting
• Expenditures
• Expense analysis
• Feasibility
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Management
• Financial Modeling
• Financial Planning
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Statements
• Fixed assets
• Forecast/forecasting
• Foreign exchange
• General accounting
• General Ledger
• High stress
• Income Statement
• Inflow/outflow
• Initial Public Offering (IPO)
• Interest rate(s)
• Internal controls
• International Financial Reporting Standards
• Inventory control
• Inventory management
• Investment analysis/management
• Investor relations
• Job (order) costing
• Journal/journaling
• Letter of credit
• Liabilities/liability
• Loan administration
• Management reporting
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Mutual fund(s)
• Net present value (NPV)
• Operating reports
• Payroll administration
• Portfolio Analysis
• Process improvement
• Profit and loss analysis
• Profit and loss statement (P&L)
• Projections
• Public speaking
• Purchase accounting
• Quarterly/year-end reporting
• Real estate
• Reconciliations
• Regulations
• Relationship management
• Reporting and analysis
• Revenue Growth
• Reverse takeover
• Risk Management
• ROE/ROI/ROA
• Sarbanes Oxley
• Shareholders
• Statistical models
• Strategic Thinking
• Tax accounting
• Taxation Compliance
• Transaction
• Trend analysis
• Underwriting
• Variance analysis
• Venture capital
• American Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Benefits Administration
• Career Pathing
• Claims Administration
• College Recruitment
• Compensation
• Competency-Based Performance
• Corporate Culture Change
• Cross-Cultural Communications
• Diversity Management
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
• Employee Communications
• Employee Empowerment
• Employee Involvement Teams
• Employee Relations
• Employee Retention
• Employee Surveys
• Expatriate Employment
• Grievance Proceedings
• Human Resources (HR)
• Human Resources Generalist Affairs
• Human Resources Partnerships
• Incentive Planning
• International Employment
• Job Task Analysis
• Labor Arbitration
• Labor Contract Negotiations
• Labor Relations
• Leadership Assessment
• Leadership Development
• Management, Training & Development
• Manpower Planning
• Merit Promotion
• Multimedia Training
• Multinational Workforce
• Organizational Design
• Organizational Development
• Organizational Needs Assessment
• Participative Management
• Performance Appraisal
• Performance Incentives
• Performance Reengineering
• Position Classification
• Professional Recruitment
• Regulatory Affairs
• Safety Training
• Self-Directed Work Teams
• Succession Planning
• Train-the-Trainer
• Union Negotiations
• Union Relations
• Wage & Salary Administration
• Workforce Reengineering
• Abstraction
• Architectural Codes
• Architectural Rendering
• Building Codes
• Building Construction
• Building Systems
• Computer Processing
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Conceptualization
• Construction Administration
• Construction Documents
• Creative Thinking
• Design Concepts
• Design Development
• Design to Delivery
• Fire Safety
• 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
• Average response time
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Cardiac Cathlab
• Case history reports
• Caseload management
• Central Line Placements
• Composite Health Care System
• Electrophoresis
• Emergency treatment
• Fistula Revascularizations
• Flow sheets
• Government requirements
• Hospital procedure
• Immunizations
• Instructions
• Instrument trays
• Medical assistance
• Nursing practitioners
• Nursing staff
• Occupational therapy
• Paternity tests
• Patient care procedures
• Patient comfort
• Physician prescriptions
• Plastic surgery
• Prescription drug
• Presentations
• Quality of care
• Satisfaction surveys
• Skin grafts
• Special Procedures Unit
• Surgical equipment
• Swan-Ganz Catheter
• Traumatized patients
• Water safety
• Accident Prevention
• Audit Control Procedures
• Automated Manufacturing
• Capacity Planning
• Capital Budget
• Capital Machinery Acquisition
• Capital Project
• Cell Manufacturing
• CNC / PLC Machining
• Computer Integrated
• Concurrent Engineering
• Cost Avoidance
• Cost Reductions
• Cross-Functional Teams
• Cycle Time Reduction
• Distribution Management
• Efficiency Improvement
• Environmental Health & Safety
• Equipment Management
• Ergonomically Efficient
• Facilities Consolidation
• Forecasting / Budgeting
• Inventory Control
• ISO 9000 Compliance
• Just-In-Time (JIT)
• Labor Efficiency
• Lean / Agile Manufacturing
• 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
• Performance Improvement
• Physical Inventory
• Pilot Manufacturing
• Plant Management
• Plant Operations
• Preventative Maintenance
• Process Automation
• Process Redesign/Reengineering
• 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 Circles
• Safety Documentation
• Safety Management
• Shipping & Receiving Operation
• Spares & Repairs Management
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• System (MRP)
• Technology Integration
• Time & Motion Studies
• Total Quality Management (TQM)
• Traffic Management
• Turnaround Management
• Value-Added Processes
• Warehouse Management
• Work in Progress (WIP)
• Workflow Optimization
• Workforce Management
• World Class Manufacturing (WCM)
• Yield Improvement
• Action Plan
• Consultation
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorder Inventory
• End of Life
• Grant (Writing)
• Harm Reduction
• Individualized
• Interdisciplinary
• Intervention
• Mental Health
• NEO Personality Inventory
• Psychiatric
• Rehabilitation
• Schizophrenia
• Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
• Supervision
• Wechsler Memory Scale

But wait...

There’s more!

Check out our full list of action words and power adjectives for your resume, complete with 340+ action verbs for all professions .

Key Takeaways

Here are some things to keep in mind after reading this article:

• Resume keywords are crucial in a resume. They help you get past ATS and noticed by the recruiter.
• Remember how to make the best use of resume keywords: Scan the job listing for the main responsibilities and requirements the recruiter is looking for. Divide them into job-related responsibilities and action words. Then use them in your own resume in the appropriate sections.
• Don’t overuse resume keywords or lie about your abilities. The recruiter will spot a fraud from miles away.
• Your resume keywords will mainly depend on the specific position you are applying for. However, there are certain in-demand industry keywords the recruiters are keeping an eye on. Revisit our comprehensive list of industry-specific keywords whenever you need some inspiration.

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume | Beginner's Guide
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Pick the Best Resume Format [+Examples]

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Use These Resume Keywords to Pass ATS (+ Keyword Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated May 9, 2024 11 min read

No matter how many resume writing guides you read, none of them ever fails to stress the importance of resume keywords. But why is that? 

Well, it's because they play a key role (wink wink) in making your resume ATS-friendly . Without them, your job application simply won't reach the recruiters’ eyes even if you're the perfect candidate for the job. But more on that later. 

The burning question is: How can you tell which resume keywords are the best for you? 

And that's exactly the question we'll be answering today! 

So, if you're currently in the process of crafting your resume, be sure to continue reading our article and learn: 

• What are keywords on a resume;
• How to know which resume keywords to use;
• Where to place your resume keywords;
• Which keywords are the most sought after;
• And, conversely, which (key)words to avoid. 

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

 Why care about resume keywords

What are keywords on a resume, how to know what keywords to use in a resume, where to use keywords in your resume, the most in-demand resume keywords in 2024, what resume keywords to include based on your profession, what resume (key)words you should avoid, key takeaways: resume keywords.

However, we can't delve into resume keywords without spending a few words on the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and keyword scanners . 

ATS is an HR computer software specifically designed to streamline the recruitment process. It can help the hiring managers in several ways, but what's interesting for you is how it processes your resume:

• Firstly, ATS scans your resume for relevant keywords (parsing).
• Secondly, it awards your resume a percentage score based on how closely your keywords match those sought after by the employer. The more relevant keywords, the higher the score. 
• And thirdly, it filters through the submitted resumes and ranks them based on the abovementioned percentage score. And the higher you rank, the more likely you are to get noticed by the recruiters. 

Besides the ATS, recruiters can also use standalone keyword scanners. But these function on more or less the same principles.

The bottom line is, in the world of job hunting, keywords are a pretty big deal . And you must get them just right!

Does your resume list the right keywords?

Find out how good your resume really is with our AI Resume Checker.

So, what exactly do keywords for resume look like? 

They can be specific terms or phrases describing requirements that directly relate to the job you're applying for. They typically include essential skills, qualifications, experiences, and competencies that employers are seeking in candidates for a particular role.

Let’s have a look at a specific example so you'd have a better idea of what we're talking about here.

Below, you'll find a mock job posting we've created with highlighted keywords . 

Judging by the sea of orange, you can see that pretty much anything can be made into resume keywords. 

But if we continue to work with our example, we can break the keywords down into several categories : 

• Degrees (Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Bachelor's degree in Communications)
• Job duties (developing, implementing, and managing digital marketing campaigns; develop and execute digital marketing strategies; conduct market research; etc.) 
• Soft skills (Creative thinking, problem-solving abilities)
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Industry-specific hard skills (SEO, conversion rate optimization [CRO], Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn Ads, HubSpot, Mailchimp)

And now that you've got a solid understanding of what resume keywords are and their importance, let's look at how you can find out what keywords to use in a resume you're currently working on. 

Here's how you can figure it out in 4 simple steps :

Firstly, review your job posting carefully and highlight any words or phrases that pop up (just like we did with our example). This step is by far the most indicative, since the job posting tells you what exactly are these particular employers looking for. 

But what if your job posting isn't particularly generous with the job requirements description? If that's the case, your next step should be to analyze job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Although precise requirements can differ from employer to employer, the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same.

Another step worth exploring is to take advantage of tools such as Moz Keyword Explorer or the good old ChatGPT to identify relevant keywords related to your industry, role, and specific skills.

Although AI-powered tools can be daunting, navigating them is actually really simple and intuitive. Our AI Resume rewriter analyzes the content of your existing resume, as well as job postings for your desired job or industry. Besides suggesting new keywords, it can help you nail that professional tone and formatting. All you need to do is upload your resume and wait. That's it!

Following these steps should provide you with plenty of potential resume keywords to choose from. But don't forget, the most reliable source of relevant keywords is always the specific job posting you're applying for .

To ensure that your resume is easy to read for both the ATS and the hiring manager’s eyes, your keywords should be weaved naturally throughout the whole document . 

Yes, we know, it's really tempting to make a “Keywords section,” stuff it with all the necessary words and phrases and be done with it. But, unfortunately, that's simply not good enough. 

Remember how we divided the keywords from our example into different categories based on what types of skills/experience/requirements they represented? Well, all that effort will come in handy now! 

Organizing your resume keywords in such a way gives you a good idea of where to later place them on your resume.

Keywords for resume summary

Since your resume summary ’s main purpose is to hook recruiters by presenting your most impressive qualifications, it's a great place to start sneaking in those keywords!

Generally speaking, there isn't any rule as to which keywords should be featured in this section, but we do have two humble recommendations:

• The title of the position you're looking to fill. 
• How many years of experience you have.  

What these two? Well, that's because it's pretty difficult to fit them elsewhere. 

Based on our example, we could start our resume summary with: “Detailed-oriented Digital Marketing Specialist with more than 4 years of experience.”

And voilà — two resume keywords with one stone!

Keywords for education section

Similarly, your education section is also quite straightforward when it comes to keywords. Here, you can simply include keywords in the form of degrees if the job posting calls for any.  

But pay close attention to the wording! 

For example : Our made-up posting uses the phrase “Bachelor's degree in Marketing.” Therefore, in your education section, you should write “Bachelor's degree in Marketing,” not “B.A. in Marketing” !

Keywords for resume skills

And, in your skills section , you should mention your skills. Yes, mind-blowing, we know! 

If there's a place anywhere on your resume where it's okay to dump as many keywords as possible, this is it. Just make sure to further divide your skills section into sub-categories (like language skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, …) for the sake of readability. 

And, if any of your skills are known in the industry by their acronyms, be sure to include this version of the keyword as well. 

For example: Don't just write “ conversion rate optimization,” or “CRO.” Instead, use both versions like so — “conversion rate optimization (CRO).”

Keywords for work experience section

Finally, we get to the most extensive part of your resume — your work experience section . And here, all gloves are off! You can incorporate a wide variety of keywords describing your skills, your industry knowledge, or job duties. 

Also, don't be afraid of repetitions! In fact, the most important keywords should appear 2-3 times throughout your resume. 

And, one last golden nugget of information for you! If you want to avoid unnecessary words on your resume and come across as more proactive, turn your job duty nouns into action verbs . 

For example like this:

Action verbs on resume example

• Developed, implemented, and managed over 20 comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including social media, email, and display advertising.
• Development and executed digital marketing strategies resulting in a 30% increase in online traffic, a 25% boost in lead generation, and a 40% enhancement in brand visibility and engagement.
• Conducted in-depth market research and competitor analysis, analyzing data from over 100 sources to identify trends, opportunities, and customer preferences.

As we've already mentioned, each and every job posting is unique and so are the keywords they contain. 

But, there are several keywords that seem to be particularly popular with the employers at the moment. Have a look, why not? Maybe some of them will be suited for your resume as well. 

Top 10 resume keywords for hard skills

• Data analysis
• Project management
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• UX/UI design
• Software development
• Statistical analysis
• Machine learning

Top 10 resume keywords for soft skills

• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Collaboration
• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills

Now, let’s zoom in on three professions in particular and look at which keywords are the most widely expected to appear on your resume.

And what a better way to show you how it works in practice than adding some stunning resumes to the mix! 

FYI, if any of these happen to catch your eye, feel free to use them as your first draft. Just click on the red button and write away!

#1 Project manager resume keywords

Project management is about making sure projects get done well and on time. It involves planning, organizing, and leading a team to reach goals within a set budget and schedule. Additionally, project managers help teams work together smoothly and solve any problems that might arise along the way.

Some of the most relevant keywords for you are: 

• Project Management
• Agile Methodology
• Waterfall Methodology
• Budget Management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership
• Project Planning
• Schedule Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Resource Allocation
• Communication Skills
• Milestone Tracking

Project manager resume keywords example

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

#2 Data analyst resume keywords

Data analysts sift through heaps of data to uncover important patterns and trends. By doing this, they help businesses and organizations make better decisions based on facts and figures. In a nutshell, they're vital parts of any company.

So, if you're looking to make a career as a data analysts, don't miss out on these neat resume keywords : 

• Data visualization
• Data mining
• Quantitative analysis
• Data interpretation
• SQL (Structured Query Language)
• Python/R programming
• Statistical modeling
• Excel/Spreadsheet proficiency
• Data cleansing
• Business intelligence (BI)
• Dashboard creation
• Predictive modeling

Data analyst resume keywords example

#3 sales resume keywords.

Sales is all about building relationships and helping people find what they need. And so, sales professionals need to listen to customers, understand their needs, and offer solutions that make them happy. After all, it's about connecting with people and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

On your sales professional resume, don't forget to include these resume keywords:  

• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Business development
• Client acquisition
• Account management
• Lead generation
• Negotiation
• Closing deals
• Cold calling
• Prospecting
• Relationship building
• Client retention
• Sales strategy
• Revenue growth
• Pipeline management

Sales resume keywords example

So far, we've talked (quite extensively) about all the keywords that shouldn't be missing from your resume. But what about the words that should be avoided at all costs? 

Yep, there are such things as resume taboos , and we're going to explore them right now! 

• Overused buzzwords. First of all, forget about hackneyed language like "innovative," "motivated," or "dynamic." These words have been used so much that they've lost all meaning. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific achievements and experiences.
• Passive language. Remember action verbs? Now, meet their less pretty cousins. Verbs like "assisted," "helped," or "participated in" can make you sound like that one person in a group project that only came for the presentation. 
• Irrelevant skills. A simple rule of the thumb — if it doesn't add value to your resume, it shouldn't even be on it! 
• Unnecessary filler words. Finally, go through your resume one more time and be merciless. Every little piece of fluff like "very," "really," "extremely," "basically," or “pretty” must go! 

And there you have it, our short list of shame. Always proofread your resumes to remove these lapses of judgment and use more relevant resume keywords instead.

To sum it all up, resume keywords are essential for making your resume ATS-compliant. 

Resume keywords are specific terms or phrases that describe requirements related to the job you're applying for.

You can find them as : qualifications, soft skills, hard skills, degrees, certificates, years of work experience, job duties, and competencies.

To find out what keywords to use on your resume, follow these 4 simple steps : 

• Start by reviewing the job posting you're responding to. Highlight any words or phrases that pop up. 
• Research similar job postings. Secondly, you can find inspiration by analyzing job postings pertaining to the same/similar job position. Because the basic skills needed to handle the job remain largely the same across all companies. 
• Consider using online keyword research tools. Or, you can employ the help of keyword research tools freely available online.  
• Lastly, check your resume keywords with AI Resume Rewriter . Besides suggesting new keywords, our Resume Rewriter can help you adjust the language of your resume to reflect your professionalism and  attention to detail.

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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How to use correct resume keywords?

A resume without resume keywords is like playing musical notes on an instrument alphabetically.

You are technically playing it, but it's never going to work.

You can fill your resume with plain words. Sure, that's not the problem.

But can you transform it into music? Can you turn it into something that will compel the recruiters to give you a callback?

The key to achieving this is through resume keywords.

Since the majority of recruiters now use the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen candidates for job profiles, using resume keywords helps your resume rank high in the ATS and get noticed by the recruiters.

ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software that recruiters use to identify the particular keyword to eliminate resumes that are missing them.

The best resume keywords are those that correspond to the requirements listed in the target job description.

They could be skills, experiences, credentials, and even qualities that a recruiter is looking for in a candidate.

Read on to learn more about resume keywords and other related FAQs like the following:

What Are Resume Action Verbs and Resume Keywords?

• Difference between Resume Keywords and Action Verbs
• Why to Use Resume Keywords?
• How to Use Resume Keywords?
• How to use Job Ad as your Guide?
• How to use resume keywords In your Professional Summary?
• How to use resume Keywords In the Resume Skills Section?

If the JD specifies 'Masters in Business Administration and you wrote 'MBA' in your resume keywords, will that make a difference?

Here's how the ATS Works:

• Recruiter enters best keywords for resumes that are scanned by the ATS resume checker for particular job openings
• Applicants submit resumes for job
• ATS scans these resumes for relevant keywords
• ATS then sorts and grades resumes based on these resume keywords
• According to the score, the hiring manager decides on the applicant's capability before personally getting in touch

Resume keywords can be of different types. Resume keywords can describe your skills and qualifications and can also describe the hard skills that qualify you for a specific position.

And while MBA and Masters in Business Administration are the same things, you must be careful to use the exact wording from the JD.

Meaning, that if the recruiters have written MBA as a requirement, ensure that your resume lists MBA and not Masters in Business Administration under your education.

Keywords vs. Action Verbs

Keywords are used to make sure an application is coherent with an available job.

Action verbs , on the other hand, show your ability to succeed. For example, words like accomplished, developed, managed, and handled describe your potential.

Types of Resume Keywords

Resume keywords should essentially comprise specific job requirements which include:

• Your skills
• Competencies
• Relevant credentials
• Previous positions and employers.

Resume keywords could be of the following types:

1) Action Verbs

One variety of resume keywords is an action verb. Action verbs are used at the beginning of a sentence in your work profile or qualifications section to showcase your ability to succeed at undertaking any responsibility.

Examples of action verbs include "achieved", "initiated", "supervised", etc.

2) Company Values

To demonstrate your familiarity with the company, use words that are coherent with the company's description of itself. These words are mainly available in the "About Us" section of the company, or in the job description itself.

For example, if the company identifies itself as "innovative" you must consider including this verb in your resume.

3) Popular Skill Words

A few soft skills and qualities are quintessential to the job profile and listing these soft skills in your resume can help you stand out to the recruiters.

These skill words are universal. For example, employers prefer employees who are "detail-oriented" over, say, 'dedicated'.

HIRATION PRO-TIP : Some companies update their list of 'banned keywords' frequently. These lists typically include examples like "hardworking" or "team player". Be careful as they can lower your ATS rank.

4) Best Keywords for Resume

Resume Keywords can also be words that correspond to required skills from the job listing itself.

Including these resume keywords will give you an edge over the other candidates as they directly demonstrate your fit into the position. Such keywords usually include "programmed", "designed", "trained", etc.

5) Industry Buzzwords and Jargon.

Many industries are keyword specific. An important example of such an industry is the IT industry.

A few common resume keywords used in the IT industry are:

Accurate usage of this jargon showcases the knowledge and possible possession of necessary hard skills. However, make sure you research your industry resume keywords before using them in your resume.

Also read: What are some action or power verbs that you can add to your resume in 2022?

Why Use Resume Keywords?

Resume keywords are used for the following reasons:

Recruiters use them to make the process of perusing through resumes simpler, owing to the high volumes they receive. Resume keywords help in highlighting necessary skills and qualifications.

Resume keywords can be easily tracked by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS resume checker) which helps screen applications by scoring them based on their keyword usage.

Certain resume keywords can reflect a firm and impressive personality of yourself. The following words are often used to stand out to the hiring manager:

Guaranteed – gives your recruiter a sense of security that they would not lose anything with you.

Powerful – represents yourself as a robust person who stands ahead of your competitors.

These keywords increase your chances of bypassing the ATS resume test and having your application read.

Also read: Which resume tense must you use in 2022?

How to Use Your Necessary Resume Keywords

To benefit from the use of resume keywords, find the best keywords for the resume from the job description.

To find buzzwords:

• Find job listings that match your skills and qualifications
• Analyze the job description to identify words that are used repetitively. Those are the buzzwords that you are looking for

These terms can often be found in specific sections, like "necessary qualifications" and "responsibilities", of the job listing.

Incorporate these keywords in your resume.

As stated before, you can also check out the company website to identify resume keywords that you can incorporate into your resume.

If the company identifies itself as "creative", you can incorporate that word into your resume to describe yourself.

Just like how websites use the right SEO keywords to rank high in Google and other search engines, you must use the right resume keywords to rank high in ATS.

The following tips will help you optimize your resume with keywords:

Use the Job Ad as Your Guide

The job description is the first place to find resume keywords to use in your resume keywords section to tailor your resume keywords to a specific job. If they are looking for an experienced professional to manage their sales pipeline, try to use the phrase "managed sales pipeline" if you've done so in the past.

Be Specific

Include closely related resume keywords. The more focused you are on your keywords, the better are your chances of getting selected for the next round.

Recruiters want exact information about what you have done. Exclude broad words like "marketing" and "accounting" and use specific ones like "market researcher" or "digital media recruiter".

Write a mix of different kinds of resume keywords like industry buzzwords, hard skills, soft skills, certifications, etc. Writing a variety of best keywords for your resume will demonstrate your diverse proficiency.

Include Resume Keywords Across the Resume

Use resume keywords throughout your resume instead of using them only in the skills section. Add resume keywords to your resume summary statement, past job descriptions, and the skills section of your resume.

Use them Stratigically

Do not showcase yourself as an over-achiever or cram too many keywords in your resume because a human recruiter will grade your resume once it gets past the computer. So use your resume keywords thoughtfully.

Provide Context

Refrain from merely grouping all of your keywords in your resume in a list.

Always make sure to provide context. Use your resume keywords as a lead to achievement.

For example, "Leveraged social media sales to effectively increase followers by 1,00,000"

Check your Spelling

The ATS resume checker is spelling sensitive. So double-check all your spellings before you submit your application.

Also read: What is the importance of writing a good job description in 2022?

Where to use Resume Keywords

Resume Keywords are the most important part of the text in your resume. But where do you place these keywords in a resume? There are indefinite possibilities.

As stated before, you must disperse resume keywords across your resume.

You do not need a separate keyword section.

Instead, you must sprinkle resume keywords throughout all the sections of your resume.

Profile Title

Using the keyword from the job title mentioned in the target job description verifies that you are looking for a particular job.

While writing the professional title in your resume use the exact job title if you have the experience to qualify for it and be specific.

Here are some examples of Professional Resume Keywords Titles :

Also read: How to write a resume title?

A professional summary is one of the first things the recruiter or employer will read when reviewing your resume and in many cases, they make their decision based on it.

Consider your summary as an elevator pitch where you have to convince the potential employer in less than 5-7 seconds why you are the perfect fit for their opening.

Summarize your USP (unique selling point) that makes you perfect for the job and add appropriate resume keywords in this section.

Also read: How to write an exceptional resume summary?

Education Section

Always include your major instead of only stating the degree.

For example, instead of enlisting "M.B.A.", you should write "M.B.A. in Marketing".

If the recruiters have listed course works in the job listing, use them as resume keywords and add them under your education section to increase your chances of being a preferred candidate.

HIRATION PRO-TIP: If you have finished college, we recommended you do not include your high school information.

To maintain optimum usage of resume keywords in your education section follow the listed pointers:

• Spell your degree. For example, use "Master of Arts", instead of "M.A."
• If at all you must use initials, separate them using periods. For example, use "M.A." instead of "MA"
• Always write the name of your major. For example, "M.A. in English"
• In case your degree is not directly related to the target job profile, focus more on the university than on the course
• Maintain a consistent format for all the entries

Also read: How to list education on resume?

Skills Section

Since most of the keywords are generally skills adding resume keywords in your skills section makes sense.

There are three types of skills keywords:

Credential/Experience Keywords

Experience keywords emphasize the key skills for the industry or your target job profile.

For instance, an SEO writer would use resume keywords relating to the certifications he or she has earned for technical writing or SEO management.

These skills keywords are known as "hard skills" and directly correspond to the industry. They include job titles, buzzwords, and skills that are recognized by the industry.

You can identify these resume keywords for your target job profile by going through the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" by The Bureau of Labor Statistics or by searching for jobs or other workers in the same work profile to see what they have used.

General Skills Keywords

These resume keywords are not industry-specific. Typically they include "computer skills", "management", "multitasking, "communication skills", "organizational skills", "leadership".

These keywords are referred to are "soft skills".

You can pick these soft skill keywords from the company website and the job description.

Action Keywords

The action verbs you use to showcase your past or current work experiences are resume keywords.

Action verbs like the following can be resume keywords:

• Balanced the budget
• Integrated Payment Gateway
• Managed backend operations
• Achieved sales of USD 1.3M

Also read: What skills should you put in your resume?

Who should use Resume Keywords

Since most employers deploy ATS to do the primary screening, it is very important to add resume keywords if you want to get shortlisted.

Resume keywords not only make your resume ATS-friendly but also adds value to your candidacy.

Without the right keywords, it is extremely difficult and almost impossible to secure an interview.

Remember, while you may have to bypass the ATS at first, your resume will be further inspected by a human so place your resume keywords strategically.

Best Keywords for Resume Based on Industry

The following list shows specific keyword examples based on different industries:

Executive Resume Keywords

Marketing Resume Keywords

Information Technology

IT resume keywords are also expected to contain direct technical skills like:

Languages : Python, Java, Nodejs, HTML, CSS, JavaScript Frameworks : Codeigniter, Yii, Drupal, Spring, Flask OS : Windows, Linux Software : Apache, Nginx Database : MySQL, MongoDB, Neo4J

Administrative

Customer service

Also read: How to write a stellar marketing head resume?

Key Takeaways

• Scrutinize the job description to identify resume keywords.
• Search social media sites, such as LinkedIn and official company websites to pick keywords you can identify with and include them in your resume.
• Read magazines and popular websites of your target industry to gather the buzzwords.
• Do not use acronyms. Write full form of everything so that your resume keywords get scanned by ATS.
• Include the same keywords in your online profile, applications, and cover letter.
• Do not overuse resume keywords and limit them to only the significant ones.
• Sprinkle resume keywords throughout your resume as opposed to limiting it to a single section.

If you need expert assistance, visit Hiration's Career Activator Platform with 24x7 chat support and write to us at [email protected] .

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The Top 500 ATS Resume Keywords of 2024

Here are the 500 keywords, organized by industry, that appear most frequently in Jobscan‘s database of real job descriptions.

Customers Interviewed by:

Job seekers, rejoice! We’ve compiled a list of the top 500 resume keywords that hiring managers are looking for when considering job applicants. 

We’ve grouped these keywords into general job categories, so you can easily find the words that best fit your experience and skills. Simply choose the keywords that are most relevant to your experience and include them on your resume. 

By having these keywords on your resume, you’ll improve your chances of being noticed by a hiring manager and landing an interview.

Table of Contents

What are resume keywords?

What keywords do recruiters look for.

• How do you find the right keywords to use?

How to use keywords in your resume

Business, finance, law, customer service, retail, human resources, tourism, health care, medicine, information technology, computer science, manufacturing, transportation, marketing, media, publishing, graphic design, key takeaways.

Job seekers today face a daunting task when it comes to creating a resume that will catch the eye of a hiring manager.

Why? Because most companies (including 99% of Fortune 500 companies ) now use applicant tracking systems, or ATS, to rank and filter job applicants. ATS is a computer software application that helps employers manage the hiring process.

When you submit your resume, it usually goes straight into an ATS database. Hiring managers then search for suitable candidates by typing certain keywords into the search bar. These keywords are usually job titles and hard and soft skills . This is what is meant by “resume keywords.”

Read the full guide : What Is An ATS? 8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems

“The first thing I’m looking for is the hard skills that match the job description,” one corporate recruiter told Jobscan.

For example, if a recruiter wanted to fill a position for a marketing manager, they might type in keywords such as “social media,” “SEO,” or “branding.” 

The ATS then searches through all of the resumes in its database and pulls out those containing the keywords the recruiter was searching for.

Unfortunately, a lot of resumes simply vanish into the black hole of an ATS database, never to be seen by a live human being. All because they didn’t contain the right keywords .

In fact, according to a study by the Harvard Business School, ATS technology screens out qualified applicants in 88% of companies because they don’t have the right keywords in their resumes.

Read the full guide : Top Resume Skills and How to List Them

How do you find the right resume keywords to use?

One of the best ways to find keywords is to re-read the job description. Pay attention to the skills and qualifications that are listed as requirements for the position. Then add those keywords to your resume, especially in the work experience section . 

The easiest and most effective way to find keywords is to use a tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . Using AI technology, this tool analyzes your resume and compares it to the job description. The scanner then provides you with a resume score , which is based on several factors, including skills, keywords, and experience.

Optimizing your resume isn’t as simple as stuffing industry-specific skills and jargon into your resume. It’s about tweaking the keywords already in your resume to match the job description.

For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you probably have a lot of experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe’s software bundle that includes standards like Photoshop and Illustrator. 

But let’s say the job description mentions only “Adobe Creative Suite,” its former name.

If you have “Adobe Creative Cloud” on your resume but the hiring manager searches the ATS for “Adobe Creative Suite,” there’s a possibility you could be excluded from the results even though you possess the exact skillset they’re looking for. 

This is why it’s so important to tailor your resume to every job you apply for .

To optimize your resume for this particular job opening, you should change your resume keyword to “Adobe Creative Suite.”

The same thing can happen with job titles . There are many variations of job titles based on industry, company culture, or experience levels.

Here are three examples:

Example #1 – You’re applying for a “Content Writer” position, but your previous job title was “Content Creator” which is what you’ve put on your resume. Because “Content Writer” is listed in the job description, this is what the hiring manager will most likely search for. It’s the same job, so change “Content Creator” to “Content Writer” on your resume to increase your searchability.

Example #2 -The job title buzzword fad (ninjas, gurus, rock stars, etc…) is thankfully dying out, but you still have “Customer Service Wizard” on your resume from a previous job. Unless a job description asks for actual sorcery skills, you should change the job title to reflect the new job for which you’re applying.

Example #3 – You worked for six years as a “Web Developer” at a small firm that didn’t differentiate experience levels. In other contexts, you would be a “Senior Web Developer,” so make that change on your resume as you pursue other senior-level positions.

There’s nothing wrong with changing the job titles on your resume. All you’re doing is translating your job titles into the same language used by the hiring manager of the company you’re applying to. 

This is what optimizing your resume keywords is all about.

You can take the guesswork out of keyword optimization by using a tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner . It analyzes your resume against the job description and tells you exactly how to optimize your resume to match each company’s ATS.

Important note : We’re talking about re-contextualizing your work experience rather than improving it. Do not give yourself a promotion you felt you deserved but didn’t get.

Read the full guide : Resume Words: Keywords, Adjectives, Skills, and Power Verbs

Pro Tip #1: Add keywords exactly as they appear in the job description

Many ATS do not recognize tenses, plurals, synonyms, abbreviations, or other word variations .  

The best way to determine which keyword variation you should include on your resume is to simply copy what’s written in the job description. 

For example, if the keyword “manager” is used frequently in the job description but your resume says “Managed team of 11 engineers,” simply rewrite it to say “Manager of a team of 11 engineers.”

Pro Tip #2: Don’t overstuff keywords!

Your resume should always be natural and easy to read. Don’t add keywords just for the sake of “pleasing” the ATS. 

When it comes to keywords, remember to use them sparingly. A few well-placed keywords in your resume summary and work experience section will do the trick and help your resume stand out from the rest.

Top 500 ATS resume keywords list

Below are the resume keywords, organized by industry, that appear most frequently in Jobscan‘s database of real job descriptions. (Note: some keywords are used multiple times).

Remember, always check the job description to see exactly how these keywords are used!

Quick Navigation

• account management
• accounts payable
• accounts receivable
• analytical skills
• analyze data
• analyzing data
• annual budget
• asset management
• budget management
• business administration
• business cases
• business issues
• business management
• business planning
• business plans
• business process
• business requirements
• business stakeholders
• business strategy
• business systems
• client relationships
• client service
• client services
• consulting experience
• consulting services
• cost effective
• cost reduction
• data analysis
• data collection
• data management
• data quality
• due diligence
• dynamic environment
• external partners
• financial analysis
• financial management
• financial performance
• financial reporting
• financial reports
• financial services
• financial statements
• forecasting
• general ledger
• internal audit
• internal controls
• internal customers
• internal stakeholders
• international
• inventory management
• investigate
• investigation
• investigations
• journal entries
• law enforcement
• leadership development
• legislation
• machine learning
• partnership
• partnerships
• physical security
• portfolio management
• presentations
• process improvement
• project planning
• prospecting
• purchase orders
• real estate
• reconciliation
• regulations
• relationship management
• revenue growth
• risk assessment
• risk assessments
• risk management
• security clearance
• small business
• spreadsheets
• statistical analysis
• strategic direction
• strategic initiatives
• strategic planning
• strategic plans
• technical knowledge
• transactions
• underwriting
• vendor management
• build relationships
• customer experience
• customer-facing
• customer requirements
• customer service
• employee relations
• hospitality
• human resource
• human resources
• immigration
• media relations
• office software
• on-boarding
• performance metrics
• phone calls
• sales experience
• sales goals
• sales operations
• supervising
• supervisory experience
• support services
• talent acquisition
• talent management
• travel arrangements
• administrative support
• computer science
• computer software
• fundraising
• higher education
• mathematics
• program development
• public relations
• recruitment
• relationship building
• research projects
• researching
• case management
• medical device
• pharmaceutical
• presentation
• public health
• public policy
• therapeutic
• architecture
• architectures
• business analysis
• business continuity
• C (programming language)
• certification
• computer applications
• D (programming language)
• data center
• development activities
• digital marketing
• digital media
• distribution
• experimental
• experiments
• graphic design
• information management
• information security
• information technology
• IT infrastructure
• mechanical engineering
• operations management
• process development
• process improvements
• product design
• product development
• product knowledge
• program management
• programming
• quality assurance
• resource management
• service delivery
• software development
• software development life cycle
• software engineering
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• Most companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to rank and filter job applicants. 
• Recruiters usually search the ATS for the job titles and hard skills that match the job description.  
• You can find the keywords to use in a resume by analyzing the job description.
• Pay attention to the skills and areas of expertise that are listed as requirements for the position. Those are the keywords to put on a resume. 
• Optimizing your resume is about tweaking the keywords already in your resume to match the job description.
• Speak the language of the hiring manager and the job description they’ve created. Use their keywords for resume skills to increase your chances of getting a job interview
• Add resume words, including action verbs , exactly as they appear in the job description.
• Use color on your section headings to enhance your resume.
• Use a tool like Jobscan’s resume scanner tool to automate the process of optimizing your resume. 

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Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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Resume Keywords: 80+ Verbs and Power Words to Use

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

The most powerful words you can put on your resume are verbs. While other job seekers are saying, “Responsible for…” you want to be saying, “Led,” “Managed,” “Grew,” etc.

In this article, we’ll look at more than 80 positive, impressive-sounding verbs and action words to use on your resume or LinkedIn.

Let’s get started…

Positive Verbs & Action Words to Use in a Resume

To start, here are some impressive, action-oriented words you can use in your resume to avoid the over-used phrase, “Responsible for…”

Always try to lead off your bullets with a verb when possible. You can also use verbs in your resume summary , bullets  and work history .

Here’s the full list of verbs to help you write a better resume:

Words for Leading People, Projects, and Tasks

• Orchestrated
• Coordinated
• Facilitated

Words for Boosting Sales/Revenue

Words for improving a process.

• Accelerated
• Re-engineered
• Reorganized
• Transformed
• Re-calibrated
• Restructured
• Strengthened
• Streamlined
• Transitioned

Words for Creating a New Process or Initiative

• Implemented
• Established
• Spearheaded

Words for Research, Analysis, and Business Decision-Making

Words for saving money or resources for the company, words to show achievements, awards, and successes.

• Recognized for
• Succeeded in
• Outperformed

What Are Good Keywords for a Resume?

Next, you’ll need to put some keywords for the specific jobs you’re applying for.

But what are good keywords to include?

The best keywords to put on your resume are words directly from the job posting. This is what the employer wants to see most (and likely what they’re looking for first – whether they’re using a software-based applicant tracking system or having a recruiter or HR person review each resume manually).

So if the job posting talks about wanting someone who has led projects in the past, make sure you’re saying “leadership” in your list of skills, and put a bullet that says “Successfully led…” in your recent work if possible.

This is known as tailoring your resume .

Try to use the same phrasing that the company uses in the job description at least once (e.g. led vs. leading vs. lead).

This isn’t always possible, and you should always write your resume for a real person first and foremost… since that’s who will be making the final decision. But try to mirror the job description when possible.

Don’t use generic buzzwords and adjectives like “hard-working”

The words listed on the job description are the best keywords and key phrases to put on your resume. Avoid buzzwords like, “hard-working” or “excellent interpersonal skills.” Employers don’t care much about this on a resume and prefer to evaluate it in an interview.

Those generic lists of resume keywords that you’ll find online are not helping. I worked for five years as a recruiter and never once decided to interview someone or recommend them for a job because of a generic phrase like that.

Employers are much more concerned about hard skills and job-related experience on a resume. They want proof you can step into the job and succeed… which is what the resume/CV word list above will help you show!

For skill-based keywords with an abbreviation, try to include the long and short version of the keyword at least once on your resume. For example, if you do business-to-business sales, you’d want to say “B2B Sales” once, and you’d want to write it out in the longer form at least once, too.

That’s just one more tip to help you beat applicant tracking systems.

Write What You Accomplished, Not What You Were Responsible For

When writing your resume and choosing what keywords and verbs to use, keep in mind that your goal should be to highlight what you accomplished… not just what you were responsible for.

Hiring managers aren’t going to be very impressed by a long list of what you were assigned to do. That’s essentially what you’re sharing if you start a bullet with “Responsible for.”

Also, try to include specific data and results when possible, especially in your bullets.

I’ll share a few examples below… by taking some of the words I recommended above and completing the sentence.

The verbs from the list above will be in bold to help you spot them below. Note that you shouldn’t write them in bold on your actual resume most likely.

Examples of How to Write Accomplishment-Driven Resume Bullets

Completed an average of 19 projects per month, bringing in $2.4MM in revenue for the company in 2019″

Audited 4 internal processes and systems related to order management, identifying an opportunity to save 1.2% on payment processing costs.

Overhauled the training program for new sales associates, resulting in 2 fewer weeks of training necessary and a 7% increase in first-month revenue generated by new sales associates in Q1 2020.

Oversaw and mentored 10 new team members per quarter, instructing them on the day-to-day work, company policies, and best practices

Conclusion: The Best Keywords and Verbs to Use in a Resume

You now have a list of powerful, effective words for writing your resume, which you should use to lead off bullet points and other sentences. This will show employers how you performed and what you accomplished in past work.

Try to avoid saying, “Responsible for,” and use the verbs from the word list above instead!

You also know how to find the best keywords for your resume – by using the job description. This is the best way to ensure that you’re not forgetting any essential skills that the employer wants.

Finally, you know NOT to put generic buzzwords like “hard working” or “fast learner”.

If you skipped to the bottom and aren’t sure about any of this, I recommend going back through the article.

Once you implement everything above, you’re going to have a much better resume that gets you more job interviews.

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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Resume keywords

What are keywords when applying for a job?

What words are employers looking for in resumes, so how do you optimize your resume for keywords.

Did you know that even if you’ve spent hours crafting an error-free resume full of all your experience, skills and career goals, there’s still a 75 percent chance that your perfect resume is never read by a human being?

It all boils down to resume keywords.

In the chapters below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these pesky (yet ultra important!) job keywords, including:

• The definition of a resume keyword
• Where to find resume keywords
• The best place to incorporate job keywords on your resume
• Examples of top CV keywords in each industry.

What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words and phrases that are sought after by both automated resume scanners and hiring managers looking for the most qualified candidates. When it comes to online application systems, the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software acts as a buffer between your resume submission and the hiring manager. 

In companies where recruiting departments receive hundreds or thousands of resumes, this is the only way to streamline the process and filter out supposedly unfit candidates. These resume keywords can be related to the industry or the position and often include specific skills and experiences. You can also read our blog for cv buzzwords . 

Do employers really trust the ATS to do its job? Imagine you are an employer and you have 100 applications for a role. The ATS will do a basic check for each resume and most have advanced AI software than can pick up on the subtleties of a candidate's experience. If you don't include sufficient keywords you only have yourself to blame. Few hiring managers will go through the rejected resumes to double check.

Given the competition in modern hiring, ATS keywords (Applicant Tracking System keywords) are an important consideration when applying for a job. A single opening can often draw more than 200 candidates, so to quickly narrow down the field, hiring managers employ Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS. ATS algorithms are built into many of the most commonly used online application portals like Greenhouse, Taleo and iCISM. 

The ATS checks resumes for keywords, ranks them against one another and filters out any candidates who don’t rank high enough. In the end, a hiring manager only has to evaluate a small fraction of the resumes that were submitted, saving the company time and money.

According to a recent survey by Criteria , 75 percent of hiring managers say they are either currently using an ATS or plan to use one in the future. Job keywords aren’t going anywhere soon!

Employers are looking for keywords for resume skills that signal the ideal candidate for the role. Job description keywords make it easier for them to hire the right people quickly and efficiently. Including resume keywords and phrases is one of the best things you can do to get past the ATS, but don’t forget that the ultimate goal is to have your resume read by a human. Make sure your CV keywords don’t distract from the overall readability of your resume by incorporating them naturally throughout.

Make sure that you include their versions of industry phrases and terminology. There is nothing like showing yourself as an outsider if you speak like one.

Where to find resume keywords?

When it comes to finding keywords to use in a resume, the job description is your #1 place to go. Think of the job description as a little window into the company’s needs and priorities. See a word that’s repeated several times? That’s likely a CV keyword. As is any skill that’s bolded or otherwise emphasized.

When you do identify keywords, make sure to incorporate them using the exact language and correct spelling from the job description. For example, if the job application asks for experience with “recruiting for diversity,” you’ll want to use that phrasing instead of an alternative like “diversity recruitment.”

Read the job description several times to make sure you haven’t overlooked any important qualifications, which are often a source of ATS keywords. The job posting’s responsibilities section is also a great source of action verbs which can be woven into your experience section to show that you’d already mastered the skills needed for your potential position.

You can also check out how the employer brand material that is shared on social media and understand how the HR department (in particular) talk about the business. Subtle variations in language from business to business are common, so don't assume that your workplace lexicon will be shared.

How to use keywords?

Once you’ve identified the most important resume keywords and phrases, you can begin to incorporate them throughout your resume. Never force keywords into places they don’t make sense or include them even if they don’t match your experience. The ATS might not pick up on CV keyword tricks, but even little lies will likely cause a hiring manager to drag your resume straight into the desktop trash can.

Don’t forget to customize your resume before you submit. The company name is often an important keyword that should be incorporated into your resume summary (also known as a resume profile) whenever possible. And it’s not just the ATS that will appreciate specific job description keywords – as long as they read naturally and are true for your experience, a hiring manager will notice the effort you put into tailoring your resume for the position.

Make sure to include keywords for the resume scanners in every section of your resume, paying special attention to your summary and skills section. For example, if the job description asks for “3+ years experience in graphic design,” those are great resume buzzwords that can easily be incorporated in your summary (as long as it’s accurate for your experience).

Keywords for resume skills often come in the form of computer programs or specialized processes for your industry. If you’ve included a more general name elsewhere on your resume, you can include more specific software in the skills section if both are mentioned in the job description. For example, a medical receptionist may write “Adept at organizing patient files using EHR software” in the experience section, and then include the specific program name MEDIHEALTH in the skills section.

Don’t forget education! In some professions, a bachelors or masters degree are essential resume material. When adding these degrees to your education section, make sure to write the abbreviations (or lack thereof) exactly as you see them in the job description.

Formatting your job keywords

Not only is it important that job keywords be included in your resume, they also need to be formatted so that the ATS can easily find them. Here are three tips for formatting your keywords for resume scanners:

• Use a common font : The ATS may struggle to understand unusual or scripted fonts and therefore your keywords will go overlooked. Some of the most common font choices for resumes include Georgia, Helvetica and Arial – styles that are both easy on the ATS and human eyes.
• Create a clean layout: Your resume should follow a logical order starting with your summary and moving into education or work history next. If bits and pieces are scattered throughout the page, the ATS won’t know where to look. A resume template can help make organization easier.
• Label your sections correctly: While it may be tempting to get creative with section headers, resume scanners likely won’t be able to tell that “professional pathways” is actually your “employment history” section . Make sure to use names that both the robots and human readers expect.
• Save your resume in the right file type: Most online application systems tell you exactly which file types their resume scanners are optimized for. If the portal asks for a PDF or Docx file (the two most common types), make sure to save your resume in either of the formats and check the file yourself for any formatting issues before you submit.

With all those keywords taking up space, you may be wondering can a resume be two pages ?

While it may seem tempting to spill onto a second page, unless you are a world-renowned, 40-year career veteran, there’s hardly ever a good reason to create a resume longer than one page. Hiring managers prefer to read a concise experience section that still shows off your strong points. A 10 point font size may help you conserve space, but make sure to avoid cramming your resume with too much text.

Good keywords to use for a resume

Good keywords for a resume depend on your industry, the employer and the role. That’s why you’ll want to customize your resume with specific keywords for each job application. A general resume is a great jumping off point to help you apply faster, as long as you don’t forget the job description keywords before you submit.

• incorporate keywords naturally throughout your resume
• use the exact spelling or phrasing from the job description
• proofread and spell check your resume before you submit
• repeat keywords an unnatural amount of times
• include keywords in underlying white text just to beat the ATS
• force keywords that are not true for your experience

Do not include a list of keywords in a small white (invisible) font. Some enterprising candidates think that if keywords are to pass the ATS test, they why not include them in a tiny white font that is invisible to a hiring manager but visible to the ATS? This is sure to backfire and will show you up s someone who cuts corners. The ATS may store the resume in a different format that could show up your cheating ways.... don't do it.

Resume keywords list

Below you’ll find the top 5 resume keywords for a job search (and online resume application) in more than two dozen industries:

Remember that to land that interview you have to get on the good side of both the Applicant Tracking System software AND the human recruiter or hiring manager. Make sure you hit those keywords but retain the organic feel of your resume text. With the knowledge you received in this guide, it should already be a much easier task. Good luck and may your job hunt be smooth and successful!

Sooner or later you may face the burning question: How in l’enfer do you spell resume, résumé and/or resumé? Do you need two accents, one accent or none at all? And if so, why? Zut alors, so many choices!

Key Takeaways

If you write a resume from the heart, putting your most suitable experience at the center of your application, the keywords will flow naturally. It does make sense to double check the job description for anything that you may have missed, but for the most part your resume should sound natural. Keyword stuffing is artificial and can make it seem that you have something to hide - by all means play the game, but be subtle about it.

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Tips for Using Resume Keywords

Types of Resume Keywords

Tips for finding keywords.

• Using Keywords in Your Resume
• Resume Example With Keywords

Using Keywords in Your Cover Letter

Resume keywords are critical to helping you get your resume noticed by employers. By including keywords in your resume and cover letter, you'll increase your chances of landing a job interview.

Keywords  are words or short phrases that relate to particular requirements for a job. They are the skills, abilities, credentials, and qualities that a hiring manager looks for in a candidate. The closer a match, the better your chances are of being selected for an interview.

When a hiring manager looks through a pile of resumes, they read each resume to find these keywords. Many companies even use automated  applicant tracking systems  (ATS), also known as talent management systems, to screen candidates for job openings.

One way an ATS works is to eliminate resumes that are missing certain keywords. If the software or the hiring manager does not detect any of the keywords in your resume or cover letter, your application might get thrown out. By embedding keywords in your resume or cover letter, you will demonstrate, at a glance, that you fit the requirements of the position.

Your resume keywords should include specific job requirements , including your skills, competencies, relevant credentials, and previous positions and employers. Essentially, keywords should be words that, at a glance, will show the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the job.

For example, based on experience, a candidate for an employee benefits management position might use the following resume keywords:

• Employee benefit plans
• Health care benefits
• Benefit policy

A customer service representative could include: 

• Customer service
• Customer tracking system
• Computer skills
• Order entry experience

Review job postings that are similar to the positions you are interested in and look for keywords to incorporate into your resume. Search for job listings that match your background or experience and scan for the buzzwords. The keywords or phrases will be sprinkled throughout the job listing and in the “qualifications” and “responsibilities” sections. Incorporate the popular keywords into your resume.

Also, review the company's website for possible keywords. Utilize keywords that the company uses to describe itself to demonstrate that you are a good fit for them. You might find this language on the company’s “About Us” web page, or in the job listing itself. For example, if the company identifies itself as “creative,” you could incorporate “creative” and “creativity” in your resume.

It's important to update the keywords in each resume you send out to ensure that they match the target company's language.

Tips for Using Keywords in Your Resume

Be specific.  Include keywords that are as closely related to the specific job as possible. The more focused and specific you are in your language, the better the chance you'll have at showing you are a good match and get picked up by resume scanning software.

Know the company's value proposition.  The company's value proposition is what sets it apart from its competition. Use keywords that correlate to the company's values.

Make sure your resume’s keywords and your experience are formatted in a way to reflect the company's brand.

Check how the company describes itself. For additional keywords or phrases important to the company, go to the company's LinkedIn page to see how they describe themselves. Also, be sure to click on the profiles of the company's employees and search for similar positions that you're applying to, paying particular attention to how they describe themselves as valuable members of the company.

Use as many keywords as possible.  Make sure you have touched on most, if not all, of the keywords that are relevant to each position. Of course, do not use a skill keyword if you don't have that skill. Incorporate as many appropriate keywords as possible that help you  match your qualifications to the job . However, the keywords must be appropriate and flow seamlessly throughout your resume. In other words, don't overdo it.

Mix up the keywords.  Include a mix of different types of keywords, including  soft skills ,  hard skills , industry buzzwords , certifications, and more. Using a wide variety of keywords will show that you have all of the diverse qualities necessary for the job.

The company's resume scanning software might be programmed for a particular keyword, so you'll want to include synonyms of the keywords.

For example, you might have "developer" as a keyword on your resume, but the company uses “creator” instead. By using multiple versions of keywords and phrases, your resume will have a better chance of getting picked up by a scanning program.

Put the keywords everywhere.  In order for an employer or a scanning program to find your keywords, sprinkle keywords throughout your resume. You might incorporate these words into your  resume summary statement , past job descriptions, the  skills section  of your resume, and any other part of your resume that seems appropriate. It can also be a good tactic to place the most important keywords in a dedicated “core competencies” table at the beginning of your resume, right after your resume summary statement. This will help the keywords to “pop” on the page.

Review a Resume Example With Keywords

This example includes keywords in the "Core Competencies" section, as well as in the descriptions for each position.

Resume Sample Including Keywords

Geoffrey Gold 1234 Spruce Hills Parkway Milwaukee, WI 53205 555-555-5555 ggold@email.com

Qualifications Summary

Cost-conscious and analytically astute  Compensation and Benefits Manager  offering 10 years’ expertise optimizing benefits programs for major employers in the manufacturing sector.

Core Competencies : Benefits Administration, Benefit Policy Development, Employee Retention Strategies, HR File Management, Process Evaluation and Improvements, Financial Analysis and Forecasting

Professional Experience

XYZ MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, Milwaukee, WI Compensation and Benefits Manager , 02/2018-Present Leverage deep knowledge of current compensation and wage structures to structure and implement cost-effective benefits packages for 1200-member workforce. Directed staff of 5 HR assistants in communicating benefits information, policies, and procedures to personnel.

• Re-sourced primary healthcare benefits provider, reducing program costs by 57%.
• Diligently ensure corporate compliance with all governing federal and state regulations.

UNITED MANUFACTURING, Milwaukee, WI Compensation and Benefits Specialist , 06/2013-02/2018 Skillfully classified new employees to determine and initiate benefit programs. Educated personnel in available benefits and application processes; compiled and distributed benefit reports.

• Played instrumental role in securing executive buy-in for a new compensation structure that increased speed of employee eligibility for available benefit levels.
• Created an efficient file management process that eliminated a severe recordkeeping backlog within six weeks of initial hiring.

Education and Credentials

Associate Degree in Human Resource Management WISCONSIN INDIANHEAD TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Ashland, WI

Technical Proficiencies : Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint) and PeopleSoft compensation management software

You should also include  keywords in your cover letter  in the event your cover letter is scanned. Even if the cover letter isn't screened by a program, you'll have a better chance of getting selected for an interview as a qualified candidate if the keywords and phrases are listed throughout the cover letter.

Include keywords in the body of your letter , making sure that they match the most important keywords and skills mentioned in the job listing. An effective way to do this is to describe your relevant skills and achievements in bulleted, keyword-loaded statements in the second or third paragraph of your letter.

By using keywords strategically in your cover letter, you’ll be able to persuade the hiring manager to give serious attention to its accompanying resume.

SHRM. " Screening and Evaluating Candidates ." Accessed Feb. 16, 2022.

CareerOneStop. " Applicant Tracking Systems ." Accessed Feb. 16, 2022.

University of Minnesota. " The Value Proposition ." Accessed Feb. 16, 2022.

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Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them

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Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them was originally published on Forage .

There’s tons of advice about creating a resume that gets results. And one of the common topics is resume keywords. Most advice says using keywords on your resume is crucial. And it is. The right resume keywords can and do play an important role in the recruitment and hiring process.

But there’s also a lot of misinformation about resume keywords and how they are and aren’t used. This guide will help separate fact from fiction so you can understand the best way to use keywords on your resume:

What Are Resume Keywords?

Will resume keywords help you ‘beat’ the ats, how recruiters use resume keywords, how to use resume keywords, frequently asked questions.

Often, job seekers are advised to look through the job posting and identify the words and phrases that are repeated frequently or describe essential hard and soft skills . Using these keywords on your resume gives you a better chance of getting an interview. And some advice even says you should use some of the keywords more than once throughout your resume.

But keywords are simply the words that describe your professional skills and abilities. As senior recruiter Jonathan Harbison says, “Resume keywords are specific words used in a resume that are relative to the role an individual is applying to.”

So, it’s safe to say that if the job posting includes the word “database” six times, the recruiter is looking for someone who can work with databases. But including the word “database” one or more times on your resume isn’t necessarily enough to get an interview.

Let’s start with the basics of applicant tracking systems (ATS). “There is a common misunderstanding that it is the ATS that qualifies or disqualifies candidates in the initial stages of the application process. ATS systems are simply utilized to organize and track candidate information,” Harbison explains. “If a candidate is no longer being considered for a role, it’s not due to the ATS alone. A person has assessed the application and resume and made the decision to not continue with the candidate.”

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So, ATSs don’t scan your resume for certain words and reject your application because you didn’t include the right keywords the right number of times on your resume. Instead, a human being evaluates your resume and decides that you are or are not a good fit for the role. Ultimately, using resume keywords won’t help you beat the ATS any more than using the wrong ones results in the ATS rejecting your application.

But if resume keywords don’t get you past the ATS, why bother using them at all? Does it really matter if you say “Worked with databases,” over “Worked with MySQL” on your resume?

It can. “Keywords can help grasp the attention of the recruiter , leading them to examine the resume further,” says Harbison. Beyond grabbing a recruiter’s eye, resume keywords can help recruiters find your resume in the future — even if they’ve never seen it.

Consider that most ATSs are giant, searchable databases. And when recruiters have an open role, they may search for candidates before posting it on job boards. “Recruiters use an assortment of databases to find candidates that match the open roles they have. One of the many tools used to source candidates is a Boolean String search. Using a combination of keywords and operators, recruiters find and filter candidates,” says Harbison.

Here’s how it works.

A recruiter wants to find someone for an information systems manager role. The recruiter might search the ATS, job boards, or even do a google search for someone with information systems management experience.

In the search box, the recruiter types: “information security.” That brings up all of the resumes with that keyword. However, a recruiter might also type in additional keywords, keyphrases, or even acronyms that are also related to information security. So, in this case, a recruiter might type:

“information security” AND “project manager” OR “project management” OR “leadership” OR “manager” OR “PMP”

A resume with any or all of these keywords will be pulled into the search results.

>>MORE: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cybersecurity

While you probably wouldn’t include all of those keywords on your resume, understanding how recruiters use resume keywords to search for candidates can help you determine which keywords to use on yours.

While it’s important to use resume keywords, keywords alone won’t help you land the interview. “In essence, keywords can get [a recruiter’s] attention, but keywords alone won’t keep it,” says Harbison. “A resume is a candidate’s way to express who they are as an employee and what unique characteristics they possess,” says Harbison.

The trick is to use resume keywords to support and explain why you’re the right person for the job.

Locate the Right Resume Keywords

Start by reviewing the job description and keep track of which skills and experiences are mentioned. This will likely be a combination of hard and soft skills , so don’t focus on one set of skills over the other. 

Once you’ve identified what the employer is looking for, review your experience to see which of your skills are a good match for the role, and highlight those on your resume using the same or similar keywords. For example, if the job description mentions that the person hired for the role will need to make presentations, you’ll want to highlight your presentation skills as well as verbal and even written communications skills. 

Think Outside the Keywords

It’s easy to get so focused on figuring out which of your skills and abilities match the keywords exactly that you might overlook your transferable skills . Think about all of your skills and how you can explain them with the right keywords.

For example, you may have a ton of experience with Google Suite (like Gdocs, GSheets, and Gmail), but the job description exclusively talks about Microsoft products (Word, Excel, and Outlook). Fortunately, the two systems are similar, and framing your transferable skills with resume keywords can help the recruiter see how you’re qualified for the role.

So, instead of saying:

Created mail groups in Gmail

You could say:

Created email distribution lists

You’re still highlighting your skills and abilities, but framing them in a language that signals to the recruiter you have the skills they’re looking for.

Don’t Overdo It

Some resume writing advice says that not only should you use the exact same keywords from the job description in your resume (think, saying “client” instead of “customer”) you should also use the keywords a certain number of times. For example, if you see the word “client” four times in the job description, you should consider using it four times in your resume. 

Likewise, some advice says in addition to using the main keyword, you should also squeeze in a variant whenever possible (like saying, “manager,” “management,” and “managing or managed”).

But both of these techniques could be considered keyword stuffing. And, even if it’s not, Harbison notes that, “The purpose of a resume is to paint a succinct picture of your experience that can be comprehended quickly.”

Harbison says you can include keywords throughout your resume, as long as you use them naturally and don’t force them in. He also notes that using language from the job posting is OK but will probably only make a small difference in helping your resume stand out. And, if you do use the job posting as a keyword guide, “it’s important not to do a copy and paste.”

Highlight Your Achievements

However, merely including the keywords is not enough. “The wrong way to use keywords is by creating a list of keywords without context or supporting information,” warns Harbison. Instead, he advises job seekers to use keywords that help “highlight outcomes achieved in previous positions, projects, or education.”

For example, if you’re highlighting some of your soft skills, like your verbal and written communication skills, you could say, “Excellent verbal and written communication skills.” But that doesn’t tell the recruiter anything about how you use your excellent verbal and communication skills or how you will put them to work for the employer. And it doesn’t explain the kind of writing skills you possess. Is it creating a marketing deck? Copywriting? Corporate ghostwriting?

To help you explain how you use your skills, use the STAR method . While it’s primarily used in interviews, the STAR method can also help you write your resume. When you include a keyword (or keywords), explain how you used your skills to accomplish something related to it:

Rewrote all marketing decks used in sales pitches, which increased buy rates by 48%

The words “marketing,” “deck,” and even “sales” could all be considered resume keywords, and they might be words a recruiter would search for. What’s more, this bullet supports the idea that you possess excellent writing skills because your marketing deck increased buy rates by 48%. That helps the recruiter understand how your writing skills could help them boost sales.

What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words and phrases you use on your resume that are related to the role.

What do resume keywords do?

Used correctly, resume keywords can help an employer understand your value as an employee.

How do recruiters use resume keywords?

Recruiters generally use resume keywords to search for candidates for their open roles, but they also use keywords to see how well you potentially fit the role.

Can using the “right” resume keywords help me beat the ATS?

Nope! An ATS is a giant database that organizes and tracks candidates. If you aren’t scheduled for an interview, it’s because a human recruiter decided you weren’t a good fit, not an ATS.

If I include enough keywords on my resume, will that improve my chances of getting an interview?

Unfortunately, no. This is known as “keyword stuffing,” and a recruiter will recognize it. Only include the keywords that make sense for you as a candidate and use them naturally on your resume to support and explain why you’re the best person for the job.

Image credit: Canva

The post Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them appeared first on Forage .

How Keywords for a Resume Work: Writing Tips and Tricks

Think about the stack of resumes on a recruiter’s desk. With so many applications to wade through, it’s understandable they only spend seconds, or minutes if you’re lucky, looking over your details to see if you measure up.

A sobering thought, right?

Scary as the prospect of being judged so quickly is, you can definitely increase your chances of being noticed .

There are keywords you can include in your resume which are going to maximize your ability to get through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) , and then get noticed by a hiring manager.

An ATS works by scanning your resume for essential details the hiring company wants to see, so you need to give them what they’re looking for.

This begs the question, how do you know what the keywords are and how to use them effectively?

Where do the keywords belong on your resume?

Coming up, we’re going to look at:

• What are the keywords and why you should be using them?
• Where to look for the keywords for your application?
• How to work them into your resume to get to the interview stage?
• Where to put keywords in your resume?

With plenty of examples and other information that will see you on your way to landing your dream job, too.

What are keywords in a resume?

Let’s tackle the basics first, what are keywords for resumes ?

Resume keywords are phrases or words that are important for describing the function or the expectations of a job role.

The words are usually regarding the abilities, credentials, skills, and qualities that a recruiter wants to see in their ideal candidate.

The next thing you’re going to want to know is…

Below are some popular industries and some examples of the types of keywords you’re likely to need:

• Accounting & Finance : Financial analysis, excel, global banking, trust, corporate tax, financial planning, risk management, treasury, credit analysis, deposit
• Education & Learning : Private lessons, curriculum development, lecture and practical classes, computer skills
• Food Service & Hospitality : Catering, preparing food for service, stock inventory, proven cooking experience, culinary school diploma, cooking methods
• Information Technology : Operating system, SaaS, database, wireless, architecture, SQL, JavaScript, Scrum master, Agile Scrum Methodology
• Management : Managing projects in Jira, development progress reports, problem-solving, relationship management skills, PMP certification

These keywords, and more, can help your resume make a computer ping and whir with delight as it scans through your resume.

These are really important to work into your resume and work them in the right way.

Why is this so important?

The first time your resume is read it may be read either by a computer program, or a human.

Keywords can help your resume to pass ATS software and attract HR’s attention to the most important sections you want to highlight.

If your resume lands with a company, it will get scanned into an ATS (an applicant tracking system); a piece of software that speeds up the hiring process and makes the job of a recruiter easier.

Pro-Tip As smart as the Applicant Tracking Systems are, they still can’t make out typos. Be sure that all of your spellings are checked and double-checked before clicking “submit”.

Then, once you’ve made it past the computer, the recruiter will take a quick look through the pile that remains and skim over them to find the keywords they’re looking for .

Without enough of the keywords the computer has been taught, your application will descend into a digital abyss, never to be seen by the recruiter who no doubt would have loved you.

At the same time, if your resume lands directly in the recruiter's hands, it should also be highlighted with keywords , to show your most prominent skills and qualifications.

Never fear, there’s a way to avoid the depths of computerized oblivion and attract a recruiter’s eye.

Think writing a resume is going to take forever? Our resume builder will have you ready to go in five minutes. It’s fast and simple to use and there’s ready-made content just a click away. Put together your stellar resume with our creative resume templates today! Create my resume now 🔥

Here’s what you need to do with your keywords…

How to find keywords for a resume?

For the best chance of success, keywords for resumes need to be specific for the role you’re aiming to land.

Sounds simple, but you need to know what those keywords are.

This is where you need to put in some leg work…

We’ve got a handy checklist with some really powerful and effective ways to hunt down the perfect keywords for your resume.

• Check out job listings . Carefully read the job description and look up adverts for the same job title and note the keywords that likely match your potential employer’s criteria. Use our list further up to guide you, and note that the higher up the ad the words are, the more important they are.
• Scour the website of the company . Read through their About Us page and mirror the words the company uses about itself to show you match their values. The job posting might have valuable information about the company too. When a company describes itself as “creative” be sure your resume uses words like create, creativity, and creative, for example.
• Read through the skills section on LinkedIn . Head over to your LinkedIn profile and find the “Add skill” button towards the bottom of the page. Next, type one of the skills, mentioned in the job application into the search bar and you’ll get a dropdown of similar skills. For example, type in “social media” and you’ll get associated skills like “social media outreach” and “social media optimization”. This way you’ll find more keywords related to the skills you need to add to your current resume.
• Have a chat with an industry recruiter or insider . Speak with a recruiter or a person already on the inside at the company that you’re applying to and get some information. You won’t probably get their ATS keyword list, but you can still ask about the general things they look for in terms of skills, experience, and background for a certain role. Listen out for the jargon and skills, these are what they likely put into their ATS.
• Read ads for ‘one-up’ jobs . Check out listings for roles the next rung above you on the career ladder, so if you’re a sous chef, look at the head and executive chef roles. You’re looking for the skills that crop up in all the adverts, and once you’ve found the ones that you match, get them added to your resume. This will make you stand out from other applicants who haven’t started looking to the next level.

Get to grips with these tricks and you’ll be adding in keywords that are very relative to the job you want and targeted to the company and role.

Don’t forget…

Here are different types of language to be searching for when hunting for keywords to use:

• Industry-specific skills - Social media management, event planning, and logistics coordination
• Soft skills - leadership, communication, creativity, engaging clients, persuasion, and team management
• Hardware and software programs - Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, Office 365
• Job titles - customer service representative, WordPress developer, and chemical engineer
• Training and certification - JavaScript, food hygiene certification, and ITIL
• Education - MEd, BSc, and PhD
• Industry jargon - resource planning, increasing end-user engagement, and technological implementation
• Company names - name check national or international brands if you’ve worked for them
• Locations - Zip codes, city, or state names can be used to narrow down candidates local to the company

The more specific your choice of language and the more focused you are in your writing, the more chance you’re going to have to prove your mettle and get the job you’re applying for. The more relevant keywords you use, the more chance you’re getting past the ATS . Just remember not to overuse them.

Pro-Tip Get the keywords you’ve found into your cover letter too because this could get scanned by an ATS. Even if it doesn’t go into the system, when a recruiter reads your letter they’re more likely to pick you for an interview if you’ve done your research and used keywords well.

What Resume Keywords Should be Included?

To get on to the shortlist for the role you’re hoping to get, you need your resume to rank high up in the Applicant Tracking System and to make it attractive to the recruiter’s eye.

To get there, you need to use the right keywords.

Once you’ve got your keywords, you’re probably looking at a long list and thinking…

How on Earth you’re getting all of these into one short resume?

So, how many keywords should there even be in your resume?

👍 As a rule of thumb, place them whenever appropriate. Using more than you actually need will start to feel really obvious, plus bots don’t like spam.

Mix things up with different types of keywords.

Pepper your resume with industry buzzwords, a mix of hard and soft skills, certifications, and others that have made it onto your list.

By diversifying your keywords, you’re demonstrating that you have the full gamut of qualities demanded by the job role.

Pro-Tip Some ATSs pick up on different tenses, pluralization, and word variants, but the majority only pick up exact matches. If the hiring manager has set “team leader” as a term, you’re not getting anywhere with “led a team” or “leadership in a team setting”.

Where Do Keywords Go When you Write a Resume?

Whether it’s the person who’ll interview you or a computer reading your resume, they’re both going to want to see keywords cropping up all over.

You can fit them into your summary statement , key job titles work well in your work experience section, the skills section is the obvious place to include your hard and soft skills, and indeed anywhere else where the words fit and sound natural.

Be strategic about your keywords

• When you’ve got real-world experience , put your keywords into your work experience section. This is also true of your education section .
• If you’re freshly graduated or switching industries and can’t demonstrate relevant experience and skills , still have a skills section that will highlight your knowledge, and offer a chance to get some keywords in.

It’s important to not pack out your resume with too many keywords .

Overusing keywords is nearly as bad as not even trying to use them at all.

Give every keyword some context

Another key pointer is to not just make a list that’s purely keywords.

Take the keyword and put it into a sentence that highlights an achievement.

An example would be, someone applying for a food store management role. The job description may say something like this:

Looking for a manager for our food and beverage store, experienced in managing a large team , with a high engagement score , and able to manage the budget .

In this case, an applicant will be writing:

“…Food and Beverage Manager at New York Marriott Marquis; team leader for 25 staff with an employee engagement score of 97% , experienced in managing the budget for small and big businesses…”

This way you’ve wisely used the keywords mentioned in the job description.

An ATS and a hiring manager are going to do a quick scan of your resume to see if they spot the keywords they’re looking out for.

Without including the correct experience and skills, whether you have them or not won’t matter; you’re getting nowhere fast.

What do you need to do to get through to the next stage?

You need to find the words the system or the potential employer wants to read, and then make sure that you use those keywords when writing up your resume .

How do you know which keywords are needed? Once you know them, how do you actually go about putting them in your resume? How to avoid spamming a bot with keywords?

• First, look at the job description and note down the terms that keep cropping up
• Find associated keywords by mining the LinkedIn skills section or in similar vacancies
• Chat with a current employee at the firm or a recruitment manager
• Read through jobs on the next level up from you to see what next-level expectations the recruiter might have

Now it’s time to ask these three important questions:

• What words does the company use to define the role and responsibilities?
• What’s the exact language used in the core needs for the job?
• Can I match my skills and experience to the responsibilities that I’ll have?

When you’ve done the same or similar role before or you’ve got the exact qualifications they want, be sure it’s listed on your resume and use the exact same words and phrases they do.

It’s worth noting…

• Mix up your keywords with skills, industry language, and qualifications
• Spread out the keywords all the way through your resume and cover letter
• Don’t get the keyword happy and overused words, and don’t put anything untrue

Now you’re armed with the information about the keywords you need to use and where to find them, you can make sure that the content on your resume sparkles for computers as well as humans. Once you get past the ATS you’re on track to landing your dream job!

Need to optimize your resume for an ATS? Need tricks and hacks to make it robot friendly? We’ve got the ultimate guide to get your application into human hands

What’s the optimal resume length in 2024? How many pages a resume should be, one page or two? Check out this article before you start applying for a new job.

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• How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your Resume

Updated: July 2023

The ideal resume is well-organized and succinctly provides the qualifications and skills you possess that demonstrate your ability to do the job.  However, choosing the best language to convey this information is important.  Identifying and including Keywords from the job description onto your resume will maximize the likelihood that both the ATS software and the hiring manager will want to advance your candidacy.  Many companies depend on the computer algorithm to select viable candidates for a specific position. Recognizing that your resume matches their stated requirements will likely gain recognition. 

However, even if your resume goes directly to a recruiter or hiring manager, they will only spend seconds scanning the relevant background information. Highlighting the Keywords and phrases will make their job easier and potentially set you up for the next step in the recruitment process.  Without the right Keywords, the resume may be passed over.

Learning how to choose the right Keywords to include in your resume is vital .

The question is "How do I choose the right keywords?”

Keywords are specific job-related nouns that describe both the Hard and Soft Skills and qualifications for a job. Often, the most important desired skills will be listed at the top of a job description. Using these Keywords combined with an Action Verb is the best way to demonstrate your accomplishments, and is what both the ATS software and the hiring managers are screening for.

The best approach to identifying actionable Keywords is to analyze the job posts/descriptions for repeated required skills. Analyze job ads for similar jobs.  Review the company’s website, and identify the skills and experience of more senior positions or professionals in similar positions on Linkedin.

Choosing Keywords to describe skills

The Keywords that describe the important skills for the position are those that you will want to incorporate on the resume - assuming they match your experience.  

There are two types of skills-keywords: Credential/Experience Keywords or Hard Skills, and General Skills Keywords, or Soft Skills.  Hard Skills represent the technical experience required to successfully perform the job.  Language such as: Bookkeeping; Programming; Data Analysis; Graphic Design; Bilingual; Financial Analyst; Engineering , are examples of Hard Skills.  They will include typical job titles within the industry and related experience.

General skills, or Soft Skills, are not industry specific words. Typical keywords include: communication, multitasking, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, adaptability, work ethic, conflict management, and interpersonal skills .  Most job descriptions will not only list the hard skills required for the job, but also several soft skills.  Assess your prior experience against these words and phrases and include, when appropriate, on the resume.  It is also a good idea to use synonyms of the Keywords, so that you are not always repeating the same word.  Both the ATS system, as well as the Hiring Manager, will easily see your relevant proficiency when you organize the resume properly, and list the skills that match their requirements.

It is never a good idea to simply copy language from a job posting, or exaggerate your expertise, without demonstrating your results. 

Choosing Action Keywords

The verbs you use to describe what you have accomplished in your previous work experiences is the language that will attract the reader. Action verbs show effort plus results.  For example:  "balanced" the budget; "capitalized" on the economic downturn; “led” team to organize seminar; “Reduced expenditures”; “Developed” marketing plan”.

Some Action Keywords and Keyword phrases can be overused.  So carefully choose your language to represent, accurately, the specific responsibilities of your current and past jobs.  Many times, you can express the same idea using different words.  Your goal in choosing Keywords and Keyword phrases for both the ATS and hiring managers is to ensure that your resume meets the stated requirements in a clear, concise and organized format.

How to Write a Resume: Resume Writing Tips and Strategies

• How to Choose the Right Resume Format
• How to Gather the Right Information for Your Resume
• How to Highlight Your Skills on Your Resume
• Fourteen Things You Should Never Include in Your Resume
• Nine Things That Clutter Up a Resume
• How to Optimize a Two Page Resume
• The Questions Your Resume Should Always Answer
• Difference Between Writing a Resume for a Computer & for Human

Resume Keywords to Land Interviews and Get Hired

In This Guide:

What are resume keywords, why do keywords matter when building a resume, how to find industry-specific keywords to build a better resume, how to use keywords in your resume, 3 types of keywords you must avoid in your resume, 300+ excellent resume keywords to always use in your application, key takeaways.

Quick Answer: Resume keywords are essential for optimizing your resume and increasing your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. These keywords are specific terms and phrases that highlight your qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the job you're applying for. Incorporate keywords throughout your resume, including in the summary, work experience, skills, education, and certifications sections. Avoid using buzzwords, jargon, and arrogant keywords to maintain a professional and effective resume.

Ever wondered how recruiters can process hundreds of resumes in only a few days?

It's through the use of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and resume keywords. Companies automate the screening process using keywords to filter out the most qualified candidates on the list.

The reason why you're struggling to land a job might be that your resume isn't optimized with keywords.

In today's guide, you'll learn:

• What resume keywords are and what makes them essential for getting you hired
• How to find the right resume keywords to impress recruiters and beat ATS
• Where to put keywords in your resume for maximum efficiency
• Three types of resume keywords to always avoid when applying for jobs
• +300 terms and keyphrases for resume keyword optimization

So, let's get to it!

Resume keywords are any terms and phrases that you must use to enrich your CV and get yourself noticed. They differ depending on the job role you want to apply for and the industry you're in.

A keyword for your resume can be a relevant job title, duty, skill, degree, or certificate. But it could also be any hobby or interest the hiring company is looking for in an applicant.

Creating a resume with strong skills and achievements is the best way to prove your worth. You can only convince headhunters of hiring you if you're qualified for the position.

Before you even start thinking of landing an interview, you first have to get your foot in the door. That's why if you ask any HR expert about resume keywords, they'll describe them as crucial for landing your dream job.

Here are two reasons why resume keywords are important for your resume:

Keywords in your resume help you pass applicant tracking systems

Using keywords in a resume is a relatively new trend in the hiring industry. Because decades ago, recruiters didn't pay a lot of attention to resume keywords as long as the applicant had experience.

Today, things have changed – 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to screen out candidates and ease the hiring process . And thanks to ATS software, recruiting managers are no longer forced to read every single resume in their inbox word by word.

What headhunters will do instead is look for specific skills and qualifications by scanning applicant resumes using ATS. The tool will then shortlist a few final candidates that the recruiter can check manually and call for an interview.

So here's the deal – resume keywords are no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have for job hunters. If you want to maximize your chances of getting noticed, you need to optimize your resume with carefully chosen ATS keywords.

Engage hiring managers by giving them what they’re looking for

Having the right keywords in your resume is also vital for making your application more appealing.

As mentioned in the definition above, resume keywords can be skills, duties, achievements, certificates, etc. These are all relevant terms and phrases that recruiters expect to see even when not using ATS.

Also, companies are no longer considering just years of experience when hiring applicants. They'll always prefer an applicant who shows industry knowledge through the language they use in their resume.

So by including resume keywords you'll tailor your application specifically to the job offer. That's important for keeping recruiters excited about you and fully engaged with your resume.

The best way to beat resume screening software is to reverse-engineer the hiring process.

How do you come up with the best keywords to use in your resume?

Start by skimming through the job ad to hunt for interesting terms and key phrases. You must read each section carefully — especially the job description, responsibilities, qualifications, and requirements. Take as much time as you need with this step so that you don't miss any important ATS keywords.

Once you have your final list, you may start adding these keywords to different sections of your resume. We'll get into more details about that in a moment.

Another way to research resume keywords is by doing a quick Google search. You can find hundreds of keywords to use in your CV and pick the ones that are most relevant to your application.

The reason this approach works is because you’ll be using the hiring company’s own words and terminology. You don’t have to guess which terms to use or how to describe yourself.

Let's think about what the recruiter does when he’s asked to hire for a new position:

They imagine the ideal employee they want to employ in terms of qualifications, skills, and personality. Based on that, they write a job offer detailing all their demands and expectations.

In that job posting, the hiring company will include industry-specific keywords to use for resume robots. Once the job is posted and candidates start sending their CVs, the ATS will begin the screening process.

Any resume with an outdated layout and a low keyword score will be rejected. The remaining candidates are ranked based on qualifications and relevance to the job position.

So far, you've learned what resume keywords are, why they're important, and how to find them. But now, it's time to jump into some practice and teach you how to use job-relevant keywords in your resume.

Finding good keywords to use in your resume is only the beginning. Because that leaves you with a list of terms and phrases that you have to add to an existing resume.

Here are three rules to always keep in mind when adding keywords to a resume:

Spread Keywords Through Different Sections

First things first, your resume should have keywords all over it from start to finish. Simply because you can never know which section recruiters are going to read first.

In addition, sprinkling keywords everywhere on the page makes it easier for you to include as many terms as possible. You can find a place to put words, phrases, personality traits, skills, and technical terms anywhere depending on the section format.

The most important sections to use keywords in are:

• Summary or objective
• Work experience
• Skills/Core competencies
• Certificates & licenses

Still have certain keywords that you can't put anywhere in your resume?

Add a specific section just for that!

Creating a new resume section is an easy way to include keywords that don't fit with the rest of your resume content. For example, if you've won any awards worth mentioning, you could add a small "Awards and Honors" section to the page .

Make sure your resume content flows

Many keywords will naturally appear in your writing when describing your skills and experience. In fact, your current resume may already be optimized for lots of keywords even if you don't know that.

But in other times, it may be hard to find a way to use some keywords when they don't fit with your content. And that's when keyword placement on a resume gets tricky.

You should use keywords in resume sections and sentences where they flow naturally. The summary and experience sections are a good place to start.

For keywords that you can't fit into sentences, you can always create separate sections and add them. This can work for single-word terms — such as talents, character traits, certificates, projects, and awards.

As a rule of thumb, you should mainly prioritize the human reader's experience. Because beating ATS will eventually put your resume at the hand of the recruiter. Resumes with the highest job success rates are the ones that find a perfect balance between human-appealing and ATS-friendly.

Avoid over-optimization

One of the most common mistakes for beginners when making a resume is over-optimization. A job seeker learns about keywords and thinks "the more I optimize my resume, the higher my chances of getting interviews."

The thing is, while keyword density does matter in your resume, providing an optimal reading experience is more important. You don't want to include too many keyphrases just to beat ATS. That might leave a negative impression on hiring managers.

The best way to optimize a resume for keywords is to reorder your list based on relevance and importance. Feel free to leave away keywords that you can't fit anywhere on the page.

Most importantly:

You shouldn't use a single keyword more than once or twice in your CV. But if necessary, you should look for synonyms and related terms that you can use interchangeably to avoid repetition.

Throughout this guide, we've defined good resume keywords as expressive and relevant to the job position. They're enough to portray who you are to the hiring company within a relevant context.

What if we told you that there are keywords that match that description but are bad for your resume? You see, good keywords aren't always about relevance but also about how they make the headhunter feels.

The exception to the rule occurs when a job hunter uses one of the following keywords types:

At first glance, buzzwords seem like the best way to shine and bring your resume to life. But in reality, this type of keyword is only good for making yourself look like the average Joe that's never getting hired.

Do we even need to ask why?

The recruiter handling your application has read thousands of resumes in their lifetime. They've evaluated enough candidates to see every single clichéd description or overused term anyone can use.

So when they see buzzwords in any resume, they'll be quick to form a negative impression.

Keep in mind

Not only are buzzwords overused, but they also sound generic most of the time. Expressions like specialist , innovative , and strategic would often only add confusion and make your resume less clear.

Jargon keywords

Jargon keywords are industry-specific terms that are impossible to understand for outsiders. They're bad for your resume because they leave both ATS and hiring managers confused about the meaning of your sentences.

That's when an attempt to show off can turn into a weakness in your resume.

To make sure that you're not using jargon language, ask a friend or a family member to read your resume. Even if the use of jargon terms is necessary, you should try and use more popular terms or easier synonyms that anyone can grasp.

Arrogance keywords

It's one thing to show what you're capable of and the potential you'll bring to the table. But another to only speak of individual career wins and individual glory.

The thing is…

Bragging on your resume can easily make you look overqualified for the job. That's especially true if you focus too much on personal achievements in the experience section.

Even worse:

As soon as recruiters sense your arrogance, they'll be more likely to second guess your teamwork and collaboration skills. You'll shoot yourself in the foot by displaying narcissistic traits all over your resume.

So how do you find a good balance between competence and arrogance?

The right way to show off when applying for a job is to mix individual success with company achievements. You want to prove your worth as an employee by establishing clear causality between your input and your previous employer's growth.

In this part, we've collected some of the best keywords that will make your resume more attractive and memorable.

The truth is:

There's an unlimited list of key terms that may be worth including in your resume. But it all depends on your line of work, position, industry, and country of residence since you want to stay relevant.

Director-level candidates usually have a specific set of keywords they need to use in their application. Keywords and phrases like leadership, team building, X years of experience, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) are a must if you want to prove seniority and expertise.

There is a bit of overlap between most jobs in the language you can use to write your resume. Some action verbs, personality traits, core skills, and accomplishments are shared between a lot of industries.

Action verbs to use in the experience section

• Accelerated
• Accomplished
• Conceptualized
• Constructed
• Coordinated
• Established
• Facilitated
• Implemented
• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Investigated
• Volunteered

Best soft skills to use as keywords in your resume

• Accepting Criticism
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Artistic Sense
• Assertiveness
• Attention to Detail
• Brainstorming
• Business Ethics
• Business Etiquette
• Business Trend Awareness
• Communication
• Competitiveness
• Conflict Resolution
• Crisis Management
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Depersonalization
• Design Sense
• Disability Awareness
• Dispute Resolution
• Diversity Awareness
• Emotional Intelligence
• Emotion Management
• Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Flexibility
• Friendliness
• Giving Feedback
• Intercultural Competence
• Interpersonal Skills
• Knowledge Management
• Listening Skills
• Logical Reasoning
• Managing Remote Teams
• Managing Virtual Teams
• Meeting Management
• Negotiation
• Observation
• Organization
• People Management
• Performance Management
• Positive Attitude
• Presentation and Public Thinking
• Presentation Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Process Improvement
• Quality Client Service
• Receptive Attitude
• Recruitment
• Responsibility
• Self-Assessment
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Control
• Self-Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Thinking
• Stress Management
• Supervising
• Taking Criticism
• Talent Management
• Task Delegation
• Team Building
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Technical Writing
• Technology Savvy
• Technology Trend Awareness
• Time Management
• Tolerance of Change and Uncertainty
• Train the Trainer
• Troubleshooting
• Verbal Communication
• Visual Communication
• Work-Life Balance
• Writing Reports and Proposals

When it comes to technical jobs, however, we found it impossible to make an all-inclusive keywords list in a single guide. So we collected the most in-demand technical skills to help get you started with resume keyword optimization.

Common core skills across many industries

• Basic Computer Skills
• Content Writing
• Data Analysis
• Google Workspace: Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, Meet
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Skype, Zoom, Meet, Webex
• Training and Supervising
• Translation

Graphic design skills for your resume

• Color Enhancing
• Color Theory
• Freehand Drawing
• Idea Generation
• Illustrator
• Photo Editing
• Print Design: Flyers, Posters, Brochures, Magazines, Business Cards
• Social Media Design
• Vector Tracing
• Visual Identity

Sales & marketing skills

• A/B Testing
• Cold Outreach
• Creative Storytelling
• Customer Onboarding
• Email Marketing
• Lead Generation
• Lead Nurturing
• Market Research
• Paid Advertising Campaigns
• Prospecting
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Social Media Marketing
• WordPress Management

Most sought-after IT skills for resumes:

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Agile Development
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Backup Management
• Cloud Management
• Configuring, Managing, and Maintaining Networks
• Database Administration
• Data Privacy
• Data Synchronization
• Front-End & Back-End Development
• Google Cloud
• Internet Applications
• Internet Security
• Lan Technology
• Maintaining Servers, Routers, and PCs
• Microsoft Azure
• Microsoft Office
• Network Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Programming Languages
• Project Management
• Quality Assurance
• Social Media Experience
• Software Installation
• Technical Support

Language keywords for resumes

• Mandarin Chinese

Career-boosting awards and certifications to put in a resume

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Certified Business Economist (CBE)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Challenger Sales
• Google Ads Certifications
• Google Analytics Course
• Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification
• Lean Management
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Looking for more job-specific skills to use as keywords in your resume? Check out our even more extensive list of resume skills categorized by type and industry.

• A resume keyword is any term or keyphrase that makes your resume more appealing to recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• To find job-specific keywords, scrutinize the job description carefully and look for any sought-after duties, soft and core skills, degrees, certificates, or awards that are worth featuring in your resume.
• Having a good keyword density is important for beating ATS — but including too many keyphrases can make your resume illegible for humans.
• Use keywords in different sections of your resume and be sure to avoid over-optimization.
• Buzzwords, jargon, and bragging keywords do the opposite of what resume keywords are meant for. Avoid them as much as possible to keep your chances of landing an interview high.

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Rosa Vargas

Rosa Elizabeth Vargas, Certified Executive Résumé Writer & Career Coach, operates the premier global career services firm Career Steering . Read Rosa Vargas' full executive profile here .

Navigating The Future: Craft A CEO Résumé That Stands Above The Rest

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C-Level Résumé Keywords: Do They Really Matter?

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The Top Competencies Professionals Need To Thrive Post-Pandemic

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How Your Executive Résumé And LinkedIn Profile Are A Match Made In Heaven

Each tool is critical to telling the story of your career, but when used together, they will supercharge your search and help you land your dream job faster.

Five Executive Resume Writing Strategies For 2020

Whether you decide to find a professional executive resume writer or go at it alone, you'll still need to do more than simply dust off your resume.

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Web Developer Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to score a job as a Web Developer?

You're going to need an awesome cover letter. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Web Developer cover letter using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Web Developer role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Web Developer Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On A Web Developer Cover Letter

How To Address A Web Developer Cover Letter

• 3 Web Developer Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Web Developer Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning web developer cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Web Developer Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Web Developer?

Companies love candidates with strong technical and problem-solving skills to build, optimize, and maintain websites and web applications. They also look for individuals with excellent attention to detail to ensure a seamless user experience.

Companies also appreciate candidates proficient in front-end and back-end development, as well as familiarity with the latest web technologies and frameworks. Lastly, a proactive approach and a strong portfolio of projects are essential for showcasing your skills.

Your cover letter should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Web Developer cover letter:

• Properly address your letter: Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager or team. Don't forget to state the specific Web Developer job you are interested in!
• Express your understanding of the company: Clearly articulate that you are well-familiarized with the company's digital strategies and web development needs, and tie this up with your skills, demonstrating how they align with their needs.
• Highlight your skills: Showcase your most relevant skills for the role, such as Front-End Development, Back-End Development, and more.
• Tailor your cover letter for the job description: Emphasize your experience to meet the job requirements listed in the description.
• Be concise and clear: Your cover letter should be short and easy to read. Keep it to one page and focus on the good stuff!
• End with a call to action: Close with an effective call to action, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and inviting further discussion on how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App or Grammarly to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these, so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Web Developer Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role, and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Web Developer Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Web Developer cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Web Developer job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Development
• Communication
• Performance
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management
• Best Practices

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your updated Web Developer cover letter
• Open a copy of your target Web Developer job description
• In the widget below, paste the job description and hit scan!

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant to the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

If you're ready to check it out, grab your target job description and run your first scan here:

To start, paste your target job description (or multiple job descriptions) into the box below:

Scan to help you identify keywords and skills within your target job description.

Scanning...

If you're more of a visual learner, here's a video walking through this whole process so you can follow along:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Company]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying for a Web Developer role at XYZ Corp, you might start your cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Web Developer Cover Letter Examples For 2024

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds who are all applying for Web Developer roles:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from a different field to a Web Developer role. This cover letter demonstrates how the author identifies and communicates their transferable skills:

Web Developer Cover Letter Example #3: Freelance Web Developer

Our third example highlights a candidate who's only had experience freelancing. Here is what their cover letter might look like:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Web Developer cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your cover letter using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Cover Letter Templates, Have AI Write Yours in Less Than 2 Minutes .

Choose a cover letter template below to get started:.

Great Choice! Now, how do you want to write your cover letter?

Let AI write your unique cover letter using our proven templates.

Or use our templates to write your own from scratch.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use CoverBuild.io To Write Your Cover Letter In <2 Minutes

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to CoverBuild.io
• Select the “2 Minutes” option to have AI write your cover letter
• Select a template for your cover letter, then follow the 3 step process for sharing info about your experience and the target job with CoverBuild's AI
• Click “Generate My Cover Letter” and watch the tool write a unique cover letter that's personalized to your experience and your target job!

To make it even easier, you can select a cover letter template from the widget below to get started:

If you'd like to see the process in action, here's a video walking through all of the steps above:

Note: I do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste any AI-generated content and submit your application. You should always review, revise, and personalize the content yourself before applying.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible for developing and maintaining web applications.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The increase in website performance and speed
• The reduction in website downtime
• The successful launch of web projects

These outcomes will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Web Developer cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each role you apply to
• Start your cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or team name
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like Hemingway App or Grammarly to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Web Developer interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taken care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Web Developer resume (with examples!).

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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15 Things You Can Do With ChatGPT

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Quick Links

What is chatgpt.

• Quickly Write a Customized Resume and Cover Letter
• Create Original Jokes and Memes
• Explain Complex Topics
• Solve Tricky Math Problems Step-by-Step
• Write Music In Almost Any Genre
• Write, Debug, and Explain Code
• Create, Edit, and Modify Media Files
• Decide What to Watch Next
• Get Cooking Help
• Improve Your Health
• Translate and Learn In Multiple Languages
• Prepare for a Job Interview
• Write Essays on Almost Any Topic
• A Chat Companion

Key Takeaways

• ChatGPT is a versatile tool that can help with tasks like writing customized resumes & cover letters.
• The AI can generate original jokes and memes, as well as explain complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner.
• ChatGPT can assist with mathematics, music composition, coding, media file manipulation, and health improvement.

Artificial intelligence tools have seen a meteoric rise within the last few years. We've been wowed by AI writing tools, AI image generators, and even AI self-portraits. Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has gotten a lot of attention for its numerous uses. To help you leverage this tool, here are 15 ways you can also use ChatGPT.

If you've somehow missed the whole ChatGPT buzz, or you're not exactly sure what it's all about, let's help you get up to speed. ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence chatbot that can answer just about any question you throw at it.

You can think of it as a supercharged Google Search. Rather than just providing links or snippets, ChatGPT generates thoughtful, conversational responses to queries. It synthesizes information from diverse sources into cohesive answers on nearly any topic, similar to how a knowledgeable human would respond.

While not infallible, ChatGPT demonstrates an impressive ability to understand natural language questions and offers nuanced explanations in a lot of fields.

ChatGPT is more than just hype—it has practical uses. Here are some cool day-to-day uses for ChatGPT you can try right now.

1. Quickly Write a Customized Resume and Cover Letter

If you're currently job-hunting, one of the most tiring parts of the job application process is writing a personalized resume and cover letter for every job you apply for. You need custom-made copies for each job to increase your chances of getting hired. ChatGPT can help you create a customized resume or craft professional cover letters in minutes.

We asked ChatGPT to write a resume for a content marketing role at a fictional SaaS company, and it was near perfect.

We also prompted it to prepare a cover letter for the same role, and the first result wasn't bad.

Notice how detail-rich and well-formatted the resume and cover letter are? How did I do it? I pasted my LinkedIn profile details, and then asked ChatGPT to write a resume for the target role "using LaTex." I copied the result, pasted it in a free latex editor like Overleaf , and compiled it.

2. Create Original Jokes and Memes

What's life without a bit of fun? Whether you're looking for a good laugh or to create some hilarious jokes to impress your friends, ChatGPT can come in handy. Sure, AI chatbots aren't exactly known to be great comedians, but ChatGPT shows some potential. We asked ChatGPT to tell us a joke about Apple and foldable smartphones; we'll let you judge the results:

ChatGPT can also create images, so you can also play around with meme ideas. Here's one to try: Ask ChatGPT to create a meme about the grind of 9-to-5 jobs.

3. Explain Complex Topics

Sometimes, simply Googling a topic doesn't give you a clear understanding. Think of topics like wormholes, dark matter, and all those head-spinning theories. Or maybe it's a weird sport you don't understand.

ChatGPT could be useful in explaining them in layperson terms. We prompted ChatGPT to "Explain wormholes like I'm 5," and here's the result:

We also prompted it to explain the internet similarly. It wasn't too bad, either.

4. Solve Tricky Math Problems Step-by-Step

Whether you're looking to tackle complex algebra problems or simple math problems that are too tricky to piece together, ChatGPT is particularly strong at handling math. You'll need to present your problems clearly and concisely for the best results. We prompted ChatGPT to answer a tricky math problem, and here's the result:

5. Write Music In Almost Any Genre

One of the most exciting things you can do with ChatGPT is writing a song. It might sound like a bad idea at first, but it's really a fun thing to try. The results can be amazing when you get the prompts right. The key to getting the best result is to provide as many details as possible about how you want the song to be. Need a mix of English and some Spanish with a touch of Afrobeat style? Just say it.

If you really want to find out how good your lyrics would sound in an actual song, you'll need to head over to a tool like Suno.ai to turn the lyrics into music. Just paste the lyrics into the tool, make some tweaks and listen to what ChatGPT could make.

6. Write, Debug, and Explain Code

Whether you're an experienced programmer or a newbie, you're bound to run into a few bugs in your code from time to time. ChatGPT can help you narrow down the problem within your code, saving you hours looking for a misplaced comma. You can also write entire blocks of functional code snippets from scratch or analyze existing code bases to figure out the best ways to use them. There are endless ways you can use ChatGPT in programming .

We prompted ChatGPT to write a simple to-do list app using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and here's the result:

We also got the AI chatbot to write us a simple Tetris game, snake game, pong game, and even code a complete chat web app from scratch . ChatGPT is a very useful programming tool.

7. Create, Edit, and Modify Media Files

With ChatGPT, you can create, edit, modify, and read from a wide range of media files. The feature which is available on the ChatGPT Plus plan provides an interface to programmatically create images, modify videos, adjust audio tracks, and retrieve crucial metadata from media files with ease and precision.

To learn more about manipulating media files with ChatGPT, read our guide on how to use the ChatGPT Code Interpreter feature .

8. Decide What to Watch Next

ChatGPT is one of the most powerful movie recommendation tools on the internet if you know how to use it. While there are dozens of powerful movie recommendation tools you can get your hands on, ChatGPT stands out because of the accuracy and precision you get from simply describing the kind of movies you want using simple natural language prompts.

We asked ChatGPT to give us some movies that are similar to "The Walking Dead" and here's the result:

Not sure how to use ChatGPT as a movie recommendation tool? We've previously put together a detailed guide on how to use ChatGPT to decide what to watch next .

9. Play Games

Looking for a fun activity? ChatGPT has some creative game ideas to try with friends or by yourself. You could play classic games like tic-tac-toe or trivia with new twists that ChatGPT can suggest to make it more engaging. Whether you want a competitive game against ChatGPT or a cooperative game you can all play together, ChatGPT can provide unique game suggestions tailored to what you're looking for.

So if you're bored and want to try something new, ask ChatGPT to invent a fun, customized game—it's a great way to liven up your day! Not sure which games you can play with ChatGPT? Here are some interesting games you can play with ChatGPT right now .

10. Get Cooking Help

A robot help in the kitchen? ChatGPT and cooking seem like a weird combination, but it works excellently if you know the right prompts to use. You can use ChatGPT to explore new recipes, prepare shopping lists, brainstorm new flavor combinations, learn new cooking tips, or explore healthier ways to cook popular meals .

Fancy testing ChatGPT's culinary skills? Here are some interesting ways you can use ChatGPT as a cooking assistant .

11. Improve Your Health

With its vast wealth of health information, you can leverage ChatGPT to improve your health in several ways. It can help you create personalized workout and meal plans tailored to your unique needs.

You can also use it to develop healthy habits like sleep routines and mindfulness practices or even use it as a medical symptom checker. Although ChatGPT has its limitations in the field of health, it is still an immensely useful tool you can utilize to improve your health. We've put together a guide on how to use ChatGPT to improve your health .

12. Translate and Learn In Multiple Languages

ChatGPT is a great tool to have around if you need to work in multiple languages. It is fluent in dozens of languages. If you're a content creator who would love to reach a wider audience, ChatGPT could be incredibly useful for creating content in multiple languages.

Sure, there's Google Translate, but writing in one language and translating to the other means context and language-specific tones could be lost. When we compared ChatGPT to Google Translate in translation tasks, ChatGPT was noticeably better in several metrics.

With ChatGPT's latest voice mode, the tool has become even significantly more powerful for those trying to learn a new language or communicate with someone that speaks a different one.

13. Prepare for a Job Interview

With its wealth of knowledge across several fields, ChatGPT is one of the best AI tools to help you prepare for a job interview. With a few intelligent prompts, ChatGPT can help you get your dream job . You can use it to generate hypothetical scenarios in a job interview, possible questions, intelligent replies to possible questions, and many other useful interview prep tips.

We created a hypothetical situation during an interview and asked ChatGPT for help. Here's the result:

14. Write Essays on Almost Any Topic

While we strongly advise you to write your essays yourself, ChatGPT can compose amazing essays on a wide range of topics, even the most complex. If the tone of the resulting write-up doesn't suit your test, you can teach ChatGPT how to write like you so you can get the chatbot to replicate your writing style.

15. A Chat Companion

When all is said and done, ChatGPT is an AI chatbot. Despite its almost endless use cases, ChatGPT is a very accommodating companion when you need someone (or a robot) to talk to.

Despite ChatGPT's impressive capabilities, the AI chatbot is not infallible. Consequently, exercising caution with ChatGPT's information is highly advised. Always strive to verify any critical data from ChatGPT before applying it, especially for important health or financial choices. While ChatGPT is a game-changing tool, it is still a work in progress, and human oversight remains essential.

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