How to Use Keywords Hiring Managers Look For (+ Keywords Examples)

Understanding the keywords hiring managers look for is the key to getting noticed. A successful resume is clear, concise, well-structured, and includes specific words and phrases related to the job. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, your resume needs to pass the ATS system and capture employers' attention.

But knowing which keywords to use and where to include them is where most job seekers get stuck. That's why this guide will help you find the right keywords to match the job description you are applying to and use them naturally, so your resume passes the ATS filter and gets you closer to your dream job.

What are Resume Keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words and phrases that employers look for when evaluating a candidate. These words highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. When used correctly, together with strong action verbs (organized, managed, developed, etc.), you create a successful, ATS-friendly resume that demonstrates your accomplishments and gets noticed quickly.

Why Do Keywords in a Resume Matter?

Hiring managers receive hundreds of CVs daily. To make their work easier, they use the ATS technology to filter the best candidates based on keyword relevance. Using the best ATS resume checker can help ensure your CV includes the right keywords and passes these automated filters.

For example, if you are applying for an “HR Coordinator” position, you need to mention strong keywords related to the job, such as “talent acquisition”, “employee relations”, “workforce management”, etc. If your resume lacks these terms, the recruiter will not find you as the best fit for the role, regardless of your experience and skills.

Therefore, you need resume keywords and phrases to:

• Pass the ATS system
• Highlight your achievements, skills, and experiences
• Align your resume with the specific job description
• Improve the chances of being noticed by recruiters
• Demonstrate relevance and industry expertise
• Increase the chances of landing more interviews

How to Find the Best Keywords for Your Resume

The best place to find the keywords relevant to the job description is in the job posting itself. Start analyzing the job description. You can easily find them in:

• Job title
• Job description
• Responsibilities
• Requirements

For example, we created a job description with relevant keywords highlighted.

From the image, you can see where to find the relevant keywords to mention in your resume.

If the job description is not very clear with keywords, you can analyze similar job postings. Although the requirements may differ, the skills remain relatively the same.

You can also use tools like Resume Tailoring, which will extract relevant keywords and strategically include them in the most crucial places to ensure a smooth flow.

How to Use the Right Keywords Hiring Managers Look For

To ensure your resume will pass the ATS filter, you need to incorporate the keywords naturally throughout the resume.

1. Professional Summary

The summary is the first section of your resume that will capture a recruiter’s attention. This section needs to include the most impressive qualifications, and it’s the right place to start using the keywords.

For example, to match the job description from above, here’s how to naturally incorporate the keywords in your summary:

“A detail-oriented Software Engineer with 3+ years of experience in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable web applications.”

2. Education Section

Next, use the keywords in the education section to describe your background.

Pay attention to mirror the employer’s language.

This means if they use “Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineer”, use the exact same phrase, not “B.A. in Software Engineer”, or similar. Following the exact wording can impact ATS results.

3. Hard and Soft Skills

This section must be the strongest part. And you can include as many keywords as you like in this section.

Just divide them into sections, such as hard and soft skills, for better understanding and readability. You can also include computer and language skills.

To match our example, the right keywords to use are:

Hard Skills

• Java, Python, JavaScript
• HTML, CSS, SQL
• React, Node.js, Django

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication and collaboration
• Teamwork
• Time management

4. Work Experience

Finally, the most crucial part is listing all your work experience related to the job description. This can be the most long part, especially if you have more than 5 years of experience.

However, use variations of keywords to describe your skills, industry-specific terms, and relevant phrases. And this is the part where you can repeat one keyword 2-3 times without worrying about keyword stuffing.

When used together with strong action verbs, your resume will sound concise, proactive, and professional.

For example: “Designed, developed, and maintained scalable web applications using JavaScript, React, and Node.js, improving application performance and reducing load times by 20%.”

Quick Note: To help you get started, we’ve put together 10 tips for a good resume to use in your customized resume.

Examples of Strong Keywords Resume by Role Type

Let’s take a look at the most common keywords for a resume for a specific role, so you can easily draft your resume.

#1 Administration

• Office management
• Data entry
• Calendar coordination

#2 Customer Service

• Customer support
• Client relations
• CRM systems

#3 Digital Marketing

• Social media marketing
• SEM
• PPC advertising

#4 Data Analyst

• Data analysis
• SQL, Excel, Power BI
• Statistical analytics

#5 Healthcare

• Patient care
• Electronic health records (EHR)
• HIPAA compliance

We’ve listed some of the most important resume keywords and phrases you can include to strengthen your CV and better align it with specific job requirements.

Alternatively, you can quickly start with our ready-to-use resume examples, such as Architect CV Builder, Event Manager CV Builder, UX Designer CV Builder, and many other industry-specific templates designed to help you build a tailored, professional resume with no stress.

Most Popular Resume Keywords

Hard Skills	Soft Skills	Action Verbs
Microsoft Excel	Communication	Managed
SQL	Teamwork	Developed
Python	Problem-solving	Led
Data Analysis	Adaptability	Implemented
Project Management Tools (Jira, Trello)	Leadership	Designed
CRM Systems (Salesforce)	Time management	Analyzed
Google Analytics	Critical thinking	Improved
Financial Reporting	Collaboration	Coordinated
SEO / SEM	Attention to detail	Executed
Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure)	Conflict resolution	Delivered
CAD Software	Creativity	Built
Power BI	Work ethic	Optimized
Machine Learning	Interpersonal skills	Created
Data Visualization	Decision-making	Streamlined

How to Use Keywords Hiring Managers Look For: Proven Tips

Using the correct keywords that hiring managers look for is an effective way to get more interviews. And not only that; a well-structured, clear, and straight-to-the-point resume will easily pass the ATS system.

Use the keywords in your summary, skills, education, and experience sections, as these are the sections recruiters value most.

Here are several proven tips to follow:

• Analyze the job description: All the necessary keywords for the specific role you are applying to can be found in the job description itself. They tend to explain what they are looking for with concrete words and phrases. You can also analyze job ads for similar roles to find the best terms.
• Use industry terms: Avoid using creative or generic language. Instead, use industry-specific terms related to the job, such as tools and specialized skills.
• Incorporate throughout your resume: Review and adapt it to determine whether the keywords are naturally incorporated. Avoid adding keywords in a forced or unnatural way, as this can reduce readability and may negatively impact how recruiters and ATS systems interpret your resume.
• Use AI tools to help: If this feels overwhelming, our AI Resume Builder tool can help you create your resume from scratch, tailored to the job description within minutes. You can adjust your style and tone to reflect your personality, career level, and professionalism.