How to Find and Use the Right Resume Keywords

If your resume doesn't contain the right keywords, the ATS will automatically reject it—no matter how qualified you are. Keywords are the bridge between what the employer asked for and what you are offering.

How do I find keywords for my resume?

To find resume keywords, review the job description carefully. Highlight all the:

• Hard Skills: Software, tools, programming languages, methodologies (e.g., Salesforce, Agile, Python).
• Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, project management.
• Qualifications: Degrees, certifications, years of experience.

The exact terms used in the job description are the exact terms the ATS is programmed to look for.

What is keyword density on a resume?

Keyword density is the number of times a specific skill appears divided by the total word count. A healthy keyword density for a core skill on a resume is between 1% and 3%. If a keyword appears too often, the ATS will flag it as "keyword stuffing" and reject the resume.

Where should keywords go on a resume?

Don't just list keywords in a "Skills" section. Weave them naturally into your Experience and Summary sections. For example, instead of saying "Managed a team," say "Managed a cross-functional team using Agile methodologies."

Ready to optimize? Use our Resume Word Counter to check your keyword density, or Scan your resume against a Job Description to see exactly which keywords you are missing.