ATS Resume Keywords: How to Write a Resume That Gets Found in 2025

Gerald Fisher
May 29
2 min read

ATS Resume Keywords

In today’s digital job market, having a well-crafted resume isn’t enough—you need one that gets past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems are used by employers to scan, sort, and rank applications before a human ever sees them. If your resume isn’t optimized with the right ATS resume keywords, you might not even make it to the interview stage.

What Are ATS Resume Keywords?

ATS resume keywords are specific words or phrases that relate to the skills, qualifications, and experience an employer is looking for in a candidate. These are often pulled directly from the job posting and help the ATS determine how closely your resume matches the job.

Think of them as the “search terms” a hiring manager uses to find the right fit. The more relevant keywords your resume contains, the more likely you are to move forward in the hiring process.

How to Identify the Right ATS Resume Keywords

Study the Job Description
- Look for repeated words, technical skills, job titles, certifications, and software requirements.
- If a job posting mentions “project management,” “Agile,” or “Salesforce” more than once, those are likely important keywords.
Use Online Tools
- Tools like Jobscan or Resume Worded allow you to compare your resume against job descriptions and highlight missing keywords.
- You can also copy and paste job postings into a word cloud generator to visualize common terms.
Research Industry-Specific Terms
- Certain industries have buzzwords or jargon that signal your understanding of the field. Make sure to include those if they’re relevant.

Where to Place ATS Keywords on Your Resume

Professional Summary: Include the most relevant terms near the top to catch both ATS and human attention.
Skills Section: List hard and soft skills using exact language from the job description.
Work Experience: Use bullet points that naturally include keywords—avoid keyword stuffing.
Certifications and Education: Match the phrasing of the job posting as closely as possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using graphics or fancy formatting: ATS systems can’t always read columns, images, or icons. Stick to a clean, text-based format.
Overstuffing keywords: Keyword stuffing can backfire and make your resume unreadable. Aim for natural usage.
Being too vague: Replace generic phrases like “worked with data” with specific tools or results: “analyzed customer data using Excel and Power BI.”

Final Tips for Beating the ATS

Customize your resume for each application.
Save your resume as a Word document or PDF (check the employer’s instructions).
Use standard headings like “Work Experience” or “Skills”—the ATS looks for these labels.

ATS Resume Keywords Conclusion

Getting noticed in today’s job market starts with a resume built for both humans and machines. By identifying and using the right ATS resume keywords, you can increase your chances of landing interviews and moving one step closer to your next opportunity.

Want more help with your resume or job search? Browse open jobs or contact our recruiting team today!