Resume Keywords That Actually Get You Interviews
You've heard that keywords matter for getting past ATS systems. But which keywords? And how do you use them without sounding like a robot?
This guide gives you specific, copy-paste ready keywords for the most common industries — plus the strategy to use them effectively.
How Keywords Work in Resume Screening
Before we dive into lists, understand the two types of keyword screening:
1. ATS Scanning (Automated)
Software looks for exact matches to terms in the job description. If the job says "project management" and you wrote "managing projects," you might not match.
2. Recruiter Scanning (Human)
Recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on initial resume review. They're scanning for recognizable terms that signal you're qualified.
The goal: Use keywords that satisfy both systems while maintaining natural, compelling language.
Universal Power Words (Use in Any Industry)
These action verbs and descriptors work across all fields:
Achievement Verbs
- Achieved
- Delivered
- Exceeded
- Generated
- Improved
- Increased
- Launched
- Led
- Reduced
- Saved
Leadership Words
- Coordinated
- Directed
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Managed
- Mentored
- Oversaw
- Spearheaded
- Supervised
- Trained
Collaboration Words
- Collaborated
- Cross-functional
- Partnered
- Stakeholder
- Team-oriented
- Coordinated
Results Words
- ROI
- Revenue
- Efficiency
- Performance
- Growth
- Optimization
- Metrics
- KPIs
Technology & Software Engineering
Technical Skills (Hard Skills)
Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Go, Rust, C++, SQL
Frontend: React, Vue.js, Angular, Next.js, HTML5, CSS3, Tailwind
Backend: Node.js, Django, FastAPI, Spring Boot, .NET
Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, MySQL, DynamoDB
Cloud: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes, Docker
DevOps: CI/CD, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Terraform, Ansible
Role-Specific Keywords
- Full-stack development
- System design
- API development
- Microservices architecture
- Agile/Scrum methodology
- Code review
- Technical debt
- Scalability
- Performance optimization
- Test-driven development (TDD)
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Worked on the backend" ✅ "Designed and implemented RESTful APIs using Node.js and PostgreSQL, handling 10M+ daily requests with 99.9% uptime"
Product Management
Core Keywords
Product Strategy, Roadmap, User Research, A/B Testing,
Product-Market Fit, Prioritization, Stakeholder Management,
Sprint Planning, User Stories, Backlog Management,
Customer Discovery, Competitive Analysis, Go-to-Market (GTM),
OKRs, North Star Metric, Feature Specification, PRDs
Frameworks to Mention
- Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD)
- RICE prioritization
- Kano model
- Design thinking
- Lean startup methodology
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Managed product features" ✅ "Led product strategy for B2B SaaS platform, driving 40% increase in user activation through data-driven A/B testing and user research"
Marketing & Growth
Digital Marketing Keywords
SEO, SEM, PPC, Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads,
Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation,
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Landing Pages,
Analytics, Attribution, Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC),
Lifetime Value (LTV), Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
Tools to Mention
- Google Analytics (GA4)
- HubSpot
- Marketo
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Mailchimp
- SEMrush/Ahrefs
- Mixpanel/Amplitude
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Did marketing campaigns" ✅ "Executed multi-channel demand generation campaigns across Google Ads and LinkedIn, reducing CAC by 35% while scaling MQLs from 200 to 800/month"
Sales & Business Development
Core Keywords
Pipeline Management, Lead Generation, Prospecting,
Account Executive, Business Development, Enterprise Sales,
Solution Selling, Consultative Sales, Sales Cycle,
Quota Attainment, Revenue Growth, Contract Negotiation,
CRM, Salesforce, Cold Outreach, Discovery Calls
Metrics to Include
- Quota attainment percentage
- Deal size/ACV
- Win rate
- Pipeline generated
- Revenue closed
- YoY growth
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Sold software to companies" ✅ "Closed $2.4M in new ARR (145% of quota) by developing enterprise accounts in the financial services vertical"
Finance & Accounting
Technical Keywords
Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Forecasting,
Budgeting, Variance Analysis, P&L Management,
GAAP, IFRS, SOX Compliance, Audit, Tax Planning,
Treasury, Cash Flow Management, Working Capital,
M&A, Due Diligence, Valuation
Tools
- Excel (advanced: VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
- SAP
- Oracle Financials
- NetSuite
- QuickBooks
- Tableau/Power BI
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Prepared financial reports" ✅ "Built integrated 3-statement financial model for $50M acquisition, identifying $3M in synergies through detailed due diligence analysis"
Human Resources
Core Keywords
Talent Acquisition, Recruiting, Employer Branding,
Employee Relations, Performance Management, Compensation,
Benefits Administration, HRIS, Onboarding, Training,
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), Employee Engagement,
Workforce Planning, Succession Planning, Labor Law
Tools
- Workday
- BambooHR
- Greenhouse
- Lever
- LinkedIn Recruiter
- ADP
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Hired employees" ✅ "Scaled engineering team from 20 to 75 in 12 months, reducing time-to-hire by 40% through optimized recruiting funnel and employer branding initiatives"
Healthcare
Clinical Keywords
Patient Care, Clinical Documentation, EMR/EHR,
HIPAA Compliance, Care Coordination, Case Management,
Treatment Planning, Patient Assessment, Quality Metrics,
Evidence-Based Practice, Patient Safety, Infection Control
Administrative Keywords
Revenue Cycle Management, Medical Billing, Coding (ICD-10, CPT),
Healthcare Operations, Regulatory Compliance,
Population Health, Value-Based Care, ACO
Example Bullet Points
❌ "Cared for patients" ✅ "Managed care coordination for 150+ patients with chronic conditions, improving HEDIS quality scores by 25% and reducing 30-day readmission rates by 18%"
How to Find the Right Keywords for Any Job
Step 1: Analyze the Job Description
Copy the job posting and highlight:
- Required skills (usually in a bullet list)
- Preferred qualifications
- Repeated terms
- Action words in responsibilities
Step 2: Check Multiple Postings
Look at 3-5 similar job postings. Keywords that appear in all of them are industry-standard and essential.
Step 3: Research the Company
Check their website, blog, and LinkedIn. Use their language and terminology.
Step 4: Use LinkedIn
Look at profiles of people in similar roles at the company. What skills do they list?
Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
1. Keyword Stuffing
❌ "Managed management of managers while utilizing management skills"
The ATS might like it, but the recruiter will reject you immediately.
2. Using Keywords Without Context
❌ Skills: Python, SQL, Machine Learning, AI, Data Science
✅ "Built machine learning models in Python to predict customer churn, improving retention by 15%"
3. Missing Variations
Include both:
- "Search Engine Optimization" AND "SEO"
- "Customer Relationship Management" AND "CRM"
- "Artificial Intelligence" AND "AI"
4. Ignoring Soft Skills
Many job descriptions specifically mention:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Adaptability
Weave these into your achievement bullets naturally.
Quick Keyword Optimization Checklist
- [ ] Highlight keywords in the job description
- [ ] Check for exact matches in your resume
- [ ] Include both acronyms and full terms
- [ ] Use keywords in context (not just listed)
- [ ] Add industry-specific tools and technologies
- [ ] Include relevant certifications
- [ ] Mirror the job description's language style
Automate Your Keyword Optimization
Manually comparing your resume to each job description is time-consuming. That's why we built Best Damn Resume — our AI analyzes job descriptions and automatically identifies missing keywords, then helps you incorporate them naturally.