Resume Keywords: List of 255+ Keywords to Use in a Resume

Adding keywords to your resume is an important step to building a strong job application. The right keywords show hiring managers (and the HR software they use) that you have the skills needed to succeed in the role.

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What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words or phrases that describe the skills and experience employers are looking for in their ideal candidate.

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By using the keywords listed in the job ad, you maximize your resume’s chances of getting through application tracking systems (ATS) (software used by companies to filter out unqualified applicants).

Including relevant keywords in your resume also increases your chances of landing an interview because it indicates to employers that you have the basic skills needed to do the job.

How to use keywords in your resume

Follow this guide to help you identify, select, and incorporate the right keywords into your resume.

1. Identify which keywords Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are looking for

To identify keywords that ATS software is looking for, carefully analyze the job description. Pay attention to the words and phrases used in the “preferred qualifications” and “responsibilities” sections.

Make a note of all of the hard skills, repeated phrases, and industry-specific terminology you find. These are likely to be the keywords the ATS is programmed to look for.

Here’s a job description for a communications writer position at Apple, with keywords highlighted in yellow:

2. Reflect on your own skills

Once you’ve identified the keywords from the job description, take time to reflect on your own skill set. Consider how your background aligns with the requirements of the position.

Make a list of your relevant skills, achievements, and qualifications that match the keywords you’ve identified. This process will help you determine which keywords you can incorporate into your resume and how to best demonstrate that you’re qualified for the role.

3. Incorporate keywords throughout your resume

Integrate keywords naturally throughout your resume to show employers that you’re an excellent fit for the job.

In your skills section, list the keywords you’ve identified that match your skill set. Here’s an example using the keywords from the job description above:

Then, in your work experience section, provide examples of how you’ve applied these skills in previous roles. This is also a great place to incorporate soft skill-related keywords and provide context for them. For example:

Resume keyword practices to avoid

While strategically using keywords in your resume is important, there are some common tactics that not only risk alienating potential employers but may also trigger automatic rejection by applicant tracking systems.

1. Keyword stuffing

While using keywords throughout your resume boosts your chances of a hiring manager seeing it, more isn’t always better.

Keyword stuffing refers to the practice of cramming too many keywords into your resume to get it past ATS software.

People do this because they believe that ATS software gives applications a higher ranking when it detects more of the keywords it’s programmed to look for.

However, this tactic can make your resume difficult to read and may be flagged as suspicious by both ATS software and human readers. Instead of forcing keywords where they don’t belong, focus on incorporating them organically and in the right context.

Here’s an example of a work experience entry from a resume that engages in excessive keyword stuffing:

2. Hiding keywords in your resume

Some job seekers attempt to hide keywords by making them invisible (e.g., using white text on a white background). Here’s an example of a resume with hidden keywords that are only visible when highlighted:

This practice is considered unethical and can result in your application being immediately rejected if discovered. Always make sure that all content on your resume is visible and relevant.

3. Adding keywords that don’t match your skills

Including keywords that don’t accurately reflect your skills is dishonest and can backfire during the interview process.
Only use keywords that accurately reflect your abilities and background. If you’re lacking in certain areas, consider ways to play up the qualifications you do have rather than lying on your resume.

4. Neglecting human readers

While it’s important to optimize your resume for ATS, remember that ultimately, a human will read your resume if it passes the initial screening.

Make sure that your resume sounds natural and tells a compelling story about your career. Focus on creating a document that is easy to scan and understand for human readers, while still incorporating relevant keywords.

5. Misusing buzzwords

Resume buzzwords and industry jargon can be effective when used correctly, but overusing them or using them incorrectly can make your resume seem insincere or demonstrate a lack of understanding.

Here’s an example of a resume that uses too many buzzwords:

Instead, use industry-specific terms thoughtfully and in the appropriate context to showcase your expertise accurately.

Best keywords for your resume (listed by industry)

Below is a list of 255 common industry-specific keywords to put on a resume and cover letter:

Accounting and finance

1. Account management
2. Business volume
3. Client accounts
4. Budgeting
5. Financial reports
6. Risk analysis
7. Quantitative analysis
8. Qualitative analysis
9. Auditing
10. Forensic accounting
11. Forecasting
12. Tax preparation
13. Compliance
14. Quickbooks
15. SAP

Administration and office support

1. Data entry
2. Microsoft Office
3. Office supply inventorying
4. Typing
5. Scheduling
6. Filing
7. Call screening
8. UKG
9. HR (human resources) policy
10. Google Calendar
11. Records management
12. Office management
13. Inventory management
14. Bookkeeping
15. Event planning

Business and management

1. Business analysis
2. SQL
3. Client outreach
4. Budget management
5. Negotiation
6. Market insights
7. Public relations
8. Strategic oversight
9. Six Sigma
10. Project management
11. Team leadership
12. Business development
13. Process improvement
14. Stakeholder engagement
15. Agile methodologies

Construction and maintenance

1. Power tools
2. Carpentry
3. Masonry
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance
5. Customer service
6. National Electrical Codes (NEC)
7. Troubleshooting and diagnostics
8. Hand tools
9. Cleaning
10. Machine operation
11. Blueprint reading
12. Project estimation
13. CAD software
14. Welding
15. Building codes

Creative and cultural

1. Accents
2. Singing
3. Sculpture
4. Adobe Photoshop
5. Item cataloging
6. Handling pressure
7. Dean Evans EMS
8. Graphic design
9. Adobe InDesign
10. Graphic design
11. Content creation
12. Branding
13. Video production
14. Copywriting
15. Social media management

Customer service and retail

1. Complaint resolution
2. Point of sale (POS) system operation
3. Customer satisfaction
4. Business administration
5. Data entry
6. Evacuation procedures
7. Technical support
8. Product displays
9. Customer satisfaction
10. Conflict resolution
11. Sales techniques
12. Inventory management
13. Upselling
14. Product knowledge
15. Visual merchandising

Education

1. Lesson planning
2. SMART boards
3. Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
4. Dewey Decimal
5. Archiving
6. Classroom management
7. Differentiated education
8. Child development
9. Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)
10. Curriculum planning
11. Student assessment
12. Special education
13. E-learning
14. Educational technology
15. STEM education

Emergency services

1. CPR
2. AED
3. First aid
4. Emergency response
5. Fire safety
6. Equipment maintenance
7. Gang outreach
8. Self-defense
9. Community policing
10. De-escalation
11. Surveillance
12. Crisis management
13. Hazardous materials handling
14. Search and rescue
15. Disaster preparedness

Engineering

1. Altair S-Frame
2. Trigonometry
3. Hazard assessment
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification
5. Bid preparation
6. Visual Studio
7. Electrical systems
8. MATLAB
9. Prototyping methodologies
10. Technical drawings
11. CAD/CAM
12. Product development
13. Quality assurance
14. Prototyping
15. AutoCAD

Food service

1. Point of Sales (POS) terminals
2. Food preparation
3. Cocktail preparation
4. Salesmanship
5. Menu presentation
6. Kitchen hygiene
7. Reservation management
8. Food handling and safety
9. Equipment cleaning
10. Upselling
11. Inventory management
12. Cost control
13. Customer service
14. Nutrition
15. Kitchen management

Healthcare

1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance
2. Patient care
3. Hoyer lifts
4. X-rays
5. Periodontal treatment
6. Taking vital signs
7. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) designations
8. Physical examinations
9. Emergency treatment
10. Patient care
11. Electronic health records (EHR)
12. Phlebotomy
13. Medication administration
14. Diagnostic procedures
15. Infection control

Information technology (IT)

1. Visual Basic
2. WordPress
3. Agile project management
4. Scrum
5. Market analysis
6. Data mining
7. Data protection
8. OmniGraffle
9. iOS
10. Back-end programming
11. Cloud computing
12. Network security
13. Database management
14. Agile development
15. Machine learning

Law and legal

1. Contract drafting
2. Public defender
3. Tort law
4. Litigation software
5. Typing
6. Interview techniques
7. Intellectual property
8. Filing
9. Negotiation
10. LexisNexis
11. Legal research
12. Case management
13. Regulatory compliance
14. Mediation
15. E-discovery

Marketing and sales

1. Contract drafting
2. Public defender
3. Tort law
4. Litigation software
5. Typing
6. Interview techniques
7. Intellectual property
8. Filing
9. Negotiation
10. LexisNexis
11. Legal research
12. Case management
13. Regulatory compliance
14. Mediation
15. E-discovery

Personal and child care

1. Potty training
2. Conflict resolution
3. Games
4. Safety awareness
5. Applying dressings
6. Housekeeping
7. Driver’s license
8. Story reading
9. Meal preparation
10. Handling pressure
11. Child development
12. Curriculum planning
13. First aid/CPR
14. Behavior management
15. Special needs care

Spa and salon

1. Massage
2. Laser procedures
3. Hair dye
4. Facials
5. Skin care
6. Balayage
7. Color effects
8. Theatrical makeup
9. Customer service
10. Cleaning
11. Appointment scheduling
12. Product knowledge
13. Skincare treatments
14. Manicure/pedicure
15. Salon management

Transportation and logistics

1. Vehicle maintenance
2. Route planning
3. Commercial driver’s license (CDL)
4. Forklifts
5. Punctual
6. Vehicle inspections
7. Account retention
8. Interpersonal skills
9. Dump trucks
10. Teamwork
11. Supply chain management
12. Inventory control
13. Route optimization
14. Warehouse management
15. Transportation management systems (TMS)

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