Resume Keywords: What ATS Systems Scan For (+ Examples by Industry)
Before a human sees your resume, software decides if you're qualified. Here's how to speak the language of Applicant Tracking Systems — without sounding like a robot.
What Is an ATS (And Why It Matters)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to manage job applications. Before your resume reaches a recruiter, the ATS scans it for relevant keywords and ranks you against other candidates.
Popular ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo, and iCIMS. Each works slightly differently, but they all scan for keywords that match the job posting.
The irony? Many qualified candidates get filtered out simply because they used different words to describe the same skills. You might be perfect for the job, but if you say "managed budgets" when they're searching for "financial planning," you're invisible.
Types of Keywords ATS Scans For
ATS systems look for several categories of keywords:
🎯 Job Titles
Use the exact title from the job posting in your headline or current role.
💻 Technical Skills
Include specific tools, languages, and platforms mentioned in the job posting.
📜 Certifications & Credentials
If the job requires or prefers certifications, include yours prominently.
🔧 Soft Skills & Competencies
Use the exact phrases from the job posting, not synonyms.
How to Find the Right Keywords
The best keywords come directly from the job posting. Here's a systematic approach:
Step 1: Analyze the Job Posting
- Highlight every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned
- Note words that appear multiple times (these are high priority)
- Pay special attention to the "Requirements" and "Qualifications" sections
- Look at "Nice to have" items too — include them if you have them
Step 2: Check Multiple Listings
Look at 3-5 similar job postings from different companies. Keywords that appear across multiple listings are industry-standard terms you should definitely include.
Step 3: Research the Company
Check the company's website, especially their "About" and "Careers" pages. They often use specific terminology that reveals their culture and priorities.
Copy the job description into a word cloud generator. The largest words are your highest-priority keywords.
Keywords by Industry
Technology / Software
Technical
- Agile / Scrum
- CI/CD
- Cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure)
- API development
- Microservices
- DevOps
Role-Specific
- Full-stack
- Product roadmap
- Sprint planning
- Code review
- Technical debt
- System design
Marketing
Digital
- SEO / SEM
- Google Analytics
- Marketing automation
- A/B testing
- Conversion rate
- Lead generation
Strategy
- Brand strategy
- Content marketing
- Campaign management
- ROI optimization
- Market research
- Customer acquisition
Finance / Accounting
Technical
- Financial modeling
- GAAP / IFRS
- Forecasting
- Variance analysis
- P&L management
- Due diligence
Tools & Certs
- Excel (advanced)
- SAP / Oracle
- CPA / CFA
- Bloomberg Terminal
- QuickBooks
- SOX compliance
Healthcare
Clinical
- Patient care
- HIPAA compliance
- EMR / EHR
- Clinical documentation
- Care coordination
- Quality improvement
Administrative
- Revenue cycle
- Medical coding
- ICD-10
- Epic / Cerner
- Joint Commission
- Population health
See If Your Keywords Are in the Right Place
Keywords only work if they're where recruiters look. Our heat map shows you exactly where attention lands on your resume.
Join Waitlist →Where to Place Keywords
Location matters. Eye-tracking research shows recruiters scan specific areas. Place keywords where they'll be seen:
1. Professional Title / Headline
The most valuable real estate. If the job is "Senior Product Manager," your headline should include "Senior Product Manager" — not "Product Lead" or "PM."
2. Professional Summary (if you have one)
Pack your top 4-5 keywords into 2-3 sentences. "Product Manager with 6 years in B2B SaaS, specializing in Agile development, roadmap planning, and cross-functional leadership."
3. First Bullet of Each Job
The first bullet gets the most attention. Lead with your most keyword-rich, impressive achievement.
4. Skills Section
A dedicated skills section ensures keywords appear even if they don't fit naturally elsewhere. But don't rely on this alone — keywords in context carry more weight.
5. Throughout Experience (Naturally)
Weave keywords into your achievement bullets. "Led Agile development of customer portal, increasing user engagement by 45%."
Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Keyword Stuffing: Cramming keywords unnaturally or hiding them in white text. ATS systems and recruiters can detect this, and it gets you immediately rejected.
Other common mistakes:
- Using synonyms instead of exact terms — If they say "project management," don't write "managing projects"
- Only putting keywords in the skills section — Keywords in context (your achievements) carry more weight
- Ignoring job title keywords — Your title/headline should mirror the role you're applying for
- Forgetting acronyms and full terms — Include both "Search Engine Optimization" and "SEO"
- Using outdated terminology — Technology evolves; make sure your keywords are current
Keyword Optimization Checklist
Before you submit, verify:
- Job title from posting appears in your headline
- All required skills from posting are mentioned
- Technical tools and software are listed by name
- Certifications match the posting's language exactly
- Keywords appear in context, not just in a skills list
- Both acronyms and full terms are included
- First bullet of each job contains relevant keywords
- No keyword stuffing or hidden text
The Bottom Line
ATS optimization isn't about gaming the system — it's about speaking the same language. When you use the exact terms from the job posting, you're showing that your experience aligns with what they need.
The best keyword strategy is simple:
- Read the job posting carefully
- Use their exact terminology
- Place keywords where they'll be seen
- Keep it natural and readable
Do this consistently, and you'll pass the ATS filter. Then your actual qualifications can speak for themselves.
Sources: Jobscan ATS Research • LinkedIn Talent Solutions • ResumeHeatMap Eye-Tracking Analysis