What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words and phrases that describe skills, qualifications, job titles, and experience relevant to a position. ATS systems scan for these keywords to determine if candidates match job requirements. Using the right keywords can increase your interview chances by 40-60%.

Where should I place keywords in my resume?

Include keywords throughout your resume: professional summary (3-5 keywords), skills section (10-15 keywords), work experience bullets (naturally integrated), job titles when accurate, and education/certifications. The skills section carries the most weight for ATS.

How many keywords should be in a resume?

Aim for 15-25 highly relevant keywords distributed naturally throughout your resume. Quality matters more than quantity - focus on keywords that appear multiple times in the job description and match your actual experience. Avoid keyword stuffing.

Should I use exact keywords from the job description?

Yes! Use exact phrases when possible. If the job says "project management", use "project management" not "managed projects". ATS looks for exact matches. However, also include variations - e.g., both "SEO" and "Search Engine Optimization".

What's the difference between hard skills and soft skills keywords?

Hard skills are technical, measurable abilities (Python, Excel, Project Management, AWS). Soft skills are interpersonal traits (Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving). ATS prioritizes hard skills 3:1 over soft skills. Include both, but emphasize technical skills.

Can I use the same resume keywords for different jobs?

No. Each job requires different keywords based on its specific requirements. Always customize your resume keywords for each application. Generic resumes have 90% lower success rates than tailored ones. Use our Keywords Generator tool to find job-specific keywords.

How do I find the right keywords for my resume?

Read the job description carefully and highlight: required skills, repeated terms, technical tools, certifications, industry jargon, and action verbs. Use JAO's Keywords Generator tool to extract and categorize keywords automatically from any job posting.

What are action verbs and why do they matter?

Action verbs (achieved, developed, led, optimized) describe your accomplishments powerfully. They're keywords ATS scans for and make your achievements more impactful to human readers. Start each resume bullet with a strong action verb.

Should I include industry-specific jargon?

Yes! Industry terms, acronyms, and methodologies are powerful keywords. If you're in healthcare, include "HIPAA compliance". In tech, mention "Agile/Scrum". In finance, reference "GAAP". These show you speak the industry language.

What happens if I don't use enough keywords?

Your resume gets a low ATS match score (typically below 50%) and is automatically filtered out before any human sees it. 75% of resumes are rejected this way. Including relevant keywords is essential to pass the initial screening.

Resume Keywords Guide 2025 - Get 5-10x More Callbacks

Master the keywords that get your resume past ATS and in front of recruiters

Complete guide with examples for every industry - updated for 2025

Why Resume Keywords Matter

Resume keywords are the single most important factor in getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). When you apply for a job, your resume is scanned by software that looks for specific keywords matching the job requirements. If your resume doesn't contain the right keywords, it's automatically rejected - even if you're perfectly qualified.

Think of keywords as the language ATS systems speak. Using the right keywords is like having the password to unlock the interview door.

75%

of resumes rejected due to missing keywords

40-60%

more interviews with optimized keywords

15-25

keywords per resume (ideal range)

10x

higher ATS pass rate with right keywords