Resume Keywords 101: How to Use Keywords to Beat the ATS in 2026

More than 75% of resumes never reach a human recruiter  not because the candidates are unqualified, but because they don’t use the right resume keywords that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for.

In 2026, resume keywords matter more than ever. They determine whether your resume passes the ATS, matches the job description, and appears in recruiter searches. Adding the right keywords can instantly boost your interview chances.

Use this guide to learn how to find, use, and optimize keywords effectively. You can also automatically extract and insert job-specific keywords using ResumeTailorApp, which ensures your resume passes modern ATS filters.

What Are Resume Keywords?

Resume keywords are specific words, skills, tools, and action phrases taken from job descriptions. ATS systems scan your resume for these terms to check how closely you match the job.

Types of Resume Keywords

1. Hard Skills (Highest ATS Weight)

Examples: data analysis, bookkeeping, JavaScript, SEO optimization.

2. Tools & Technologies

Examples: Figma, Python, HubSpot, Salesforce, QuickBooks.

3. Soft Skills

Examples: leadership, time management, communication.

4. Industry Keywords

Examples: compliance, agile methodology, patient care, customer lifecycle.

5. Action Verbs

Examples: improved, managed, led, increased, developed.

Tip: ATS systems work like search engines — the closer your resume matches the job description, the higher it ranks.

Where to Find Resume Keywords

The best place to find keywords is the job description. Scan the sections labeled:

• Requirements
• Preferred qualifications
• Responsibilities
• Tools and technologies

You should also look at 3–5 similar job listings to find repeating keywords. ResumeTailorApp automates this process and highlights missing keywords instantly.

How to Use Keywords Naturally (Not Keyword Stuffing)

ATS can detect keyword stuffing. Recruiters can too. The goal is to use keywords naturally and contextually.

Bad Example:

"SEO, SEO, SEO expert with SEO skills."

Good Example:

"Improved SEO rankings for 20+ articles, increasing organic traffic by 40% in 3 months."

Use keywords in:

• Your professional summary
• Your skills section
• Your experience bullets
• Your achievements
• Your tools/technology section

Where to Place Keywords in Your Resume

1. Professional Summary

Example: "Marketing specialist skilled in SEO optimization, content strategy, and data analysis."

2. Skills Section

List both hard skills and tools in comma-separated format.

3. Experience Section

Add keywords while showing impact and measurable results.

4. Certifications & Tools

Include the exact names of tools the employer mentions.

Use Keyword Variations

Some ATS systems are very literal. If the job description uses “project management,” write both:

• Project Management
• Managing Projects

The more variations you include (naturally), the higher your ATS match score.

How Modern ATS Systems Score Keywords (2025)

2025 ATS systems evaluate resumes using:

• Exact keyword matches
• Keyword frequency
• Keyword context — not isolated lists
• Relevance to job responsibilities
• Location of keywords (summary + experience weigh higher)

Tools like ResumeTailorApp help you adjust wording to match modern ATS scoring models.

Examples of Keyword Optimization

Before Optimization:

"Worked on marketing campaigns and wrote content for blogs."

After Optimization:

"Developed and executed content marketing campaigns, improving SEO rankings and increasing organic engagement by 35%."

This version includes keywords like “content marketing,” “SEO,” and “campaigns,” which ATS systems prioritize.

Tools That Can Help With Keyword Optimization

• ATS Resume Checker – Available inside ResumeTailorApp
• AI Keyword Matcher – Finds missing keywords from any job description
• AI Summary & Bullet Optimizer – Writes keyword-rich summaries and bullets

These tools ensure your resume is fully optimized and employer-ready.

Final Thoughts

Resume keywords are not optional in 2025 — they’re essential. Using the right skills, tools, and action phrases can dramatically improve your ATS score and your chances of getting an interview.

To make this process easier, upload your resume to ResumeTailorApp and let the AI automatically enhance, keyword-optimize, and tailor your resume for any job posting.

Internal Linking for Further Reading

• See our free ATS-ready resume templates.
• Compare AI vs traditional resumes in this study.
• Read the full AI Resume Builder Guide to improve your workflow.
• Learn how to tailor your resume with this practical guide.

Published on: 2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes