How many keywords should I include in my resume?

Include 20-30 relevant keywords throughout your resume. Focus on the most important terms from the job description—required skills, job titles, certifications, and technical tools. Distribute them naturally across multiple sections rather than cramming them in one place.

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

Hard skills are technical abilities (Python, Excel, SQL, project management certifications). Soft skills are interpersonal traits (leadership, communication, problem-solving). ATS systems primarily scan for hard skills keywords, though soft skills may appear in job requirements too.

Should I include keywords I'm not fully qualified for?

No. Only include keywords that honestly represent your abilities. You'll need to demonstrate these skills in interviews. Misrepresenting qualifications can lead to job offers being rescinded or poor performance reviews.

Do I need to match keywords exactly?

Yes, for best results. ATS systems often match keywords literally. If the job posting says 'Microsoft Excel,' write 'Microsoft Excel' rather than just 'Excel' or 'MS Excel.' Include variations when possible: 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO)' covers both forms.

Can I use the same keywords for every application?

No. Each job description contains different keywords based on company needs, role specifics, and industry terminology. Customize your resume keywords for each application by analyzing that specific job posting.

Will keyword stuffing help my resume pass ATS?

No. Modern ATS systems detect keyword stuffing and may penalize it. Recruiters also review resumes after ATS screening—obvious stuffing damages your credibility. Use keywords naturally within the context of your achievements.

Resume Keywords: How to Beat ATS Systems in 2026

How ATS Keyword Matching Works

Applicant Tracking Systems scan your resume for keywords that match the job description. The system compares your resume text against the requirements and calculates a relevance score. Resumes with higher keyword matches rank higher in the recruiter’s queue.

Modern ATS systems use various matching techniques:

Exact matching: Looking for precise keyword matches
Semantic matching: Understanding related terms (some advanced systems)
Context analysis: Evaluating keywords within surrounding text
Frequency counting: Tracking how often keywords appear

Understanding these mechanics helps you optimize your resume without resorting to tricks that might backfire.

How to Extract Keywords from Job Descriptions

Step 1: Copy the Full Job Description

Paste the entire job posting into a document. Include:

Job title
Required qualifications
Preferred qualifications
Responsibilities
About the company section

Step 2: Highlight Repeated Terms

Keywords that appear multiple times are priorities:

Job titles mentioned throughout
Skills listed in multiple sections
Tools or technologies named repeatedly
Qualifications emphasized as “required”

Step 3: Identify Keyword Categories

Organize keywords into groups:

Hard Skills:

Technical tools (Salesforce, Python, Excel)
Software and platforms (AWS, Jira, SAP)
Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Six Sigma)

Certifications:

Professional credentials (PMP, CPA, AWS Certified)
Licenses (RN, PE, Series 7)
Training (OSHA, HIPAA compliance)

Job Titles:

Current role title
Alternative titles used in posting
Related titles in your field

Industry Terms:

Sector-specific language
Regulatory terms
Product or service names

Soft Skills:

Leadership terms (led, managed, directed)
Collaboration terms (partnered, coordinated)
Communication terms (presented, negotiated)

Step 4: Prioritize Required vs Preferred

Focus first on “required” qualifications—these are non-negotiable for ATS matching. Then add “preferred” qualifications where you genuinely have experience.

Where to Place Keywords

Professional Summary (Top Priority)

Your summary appears first and sets the context. Include your most important keywords here:

Results-driven Software Engineer with 5+ years of experience in Python,
JavaScript, and AWS. Proven track record delivering scalable applications
using Agile methodologies. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and
driving product development from concept to deployment.

Keywords embedded: Software Engineer, Python, JavaScript, AWS, Agile, cross-functional teams, product development

Work Experience Bullets

Weave keywords into achievement statements:

• Developed automated testing framework using Python and Selenium,
  reducing QA time by 40%
• Led Agile sprint planning for team of 8 engineers, improving
  velocity by 25%
• Migrated legacy systems to AWS, resulting in 99.9% uptime and
  $50K annual savings

Keywords embedded: Python, Selenium, Agile, sprint planning, AWS

Skills Section

List keywords explicitly:

Technical Skills: Python, JavaScript, React, Node.js, AWS, Docker,
Kubernetes, SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Git, Jira, Agile, Scrum

Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Education Section

Include relevant coursework, projects, or thesis topics with keywords:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley | 2019

Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning, Data Structures, Database Systems
Capstone Project: Built predictive analytics platform using Python and TensorFlow

Keyword Density Guidelines

Optimal Distribution

Total keywords: 20-30 throughout resume
Primary keywords: 2-3 mentions each (spread across sections)
Secondary keywords: 1-2 mentions each
Skills section: 15-25 skills listed

Avoid Over-Optimization

Too dense (keyword stuffing):

Python developer skilled in Python programming using Python frameworks
to build Python applications with Python...

Balanced approach:

Software developer specializing in Python and JavaScript. Built
data processing pipelines and REST APIs serving 100K+ daily users.

Keyword Matching Strategies

Use Exact Phrases

If the job posting says “customer relationship management,” use that exact phrase rather than just “CRM” (include both if space allows).

Include Acronyms and Full Terms

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Structured Query Language (SQL)

Mirror Job Title Language

If they call it “Software Engineer,” use “Software Engineer” not “Developer” or “Programmer” as your title.

Match Verb Tenses

If the posting uses present tense (“Manage client relationships”), use present tense for current role descriptions.

Industry-Specific Keywords

Technology

Development: Python, Java, JavaScript, React, Angular, Node.js, AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Agile, Scrum, Git

Data: SQL, Python, R, Tableau, Power BI, Machine Learning, Data Analysis, ETL, Big Data, Hadoop, Spark

Marketing

Digital: SEO, SEM, PPC, Google Analytics, Social Media Marketing, Content Strategy, Marketing Automation, HubSpot, Salesforce

Traditional: Brand Management, Market Research, Campaign Management, ROI Analysis, Customer Segmentation

Finance

Accounting: GAAP, Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting, Variance Analysis, QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle

Investment: Financial Modeling, Valuation, M&A, Due Diligence, Bloomberg Terminal, Excel, Portfolio Management

Healthcare

Clinical: Patient Care, EMR/EHR, HIPAA, Clinical Documentation, Care Coordination, Electronic Health Records

Administrative: Healthcare Administration, Medical Billing, ICD-10, CPT Codes, Revenue Cycle Management

Testing Your Keyword Optimization

The Job Description Match Test

List all keywords from the job description
Highlight each keyword found in your resume
Calculate match percentage
Target: 70-80% of required keywords included

ATS Simulation

Use an ATS checker tool to:

See how your resume parses
Identify missing keywords
Check keyword density
Verify section recognition

Human Readability Check

After optimization, read your resume aloud:

Does it sound natural?
Do achievements make sense?
Would a recruiter find it engaging?

If it sounds robotic or forced, rewrite keyword-heavy sections for better flow.

Common Keyword Mistakes

Keyword Stuffing

Cramming keywords unnaturally damages both ATS scores and human impression:

Bad: “Managed management of managers using management skills”

Good: “Directed team of 12 analysts, implementing new reporting processes that improved efficiency by 30%“

Irrelevant Keywords

Including keywords you can’t back up in interviews:

Problem: Listing “Machine Learning” when you’ve only watched YouTube tutorials

Solution: Only include skills you can demonstrate and discuss confidently

Ignoring Context

Keywords need context to be meaningful:

Weak: “Skills: Leadership, Communication, Teamwork”

Strong: “Led cross-functional team of 8, presenting quarterly results to C-suite executives”

Using Only Abbreviations

Some ATS systems require exact matches:

Risk: Only writing “ML” when the job asks for “Machine Learning”

Safe: “Machine Learning (ML)” covers both variations

Tailoring for Each Application

Quick Customization Process

Save a master resume with all your experience
Copy for each application
Analyze job posting for 10-15 key terms
Adjust summary to include top 5 keywords
Review bullet points for keyword opportunities
Update skills section to match posting priorities

Time Investment

Spend 15-20 minutes customizing for each application. Generic resumes sent to 100 jobs perform worse than tailored resumes sent to 25 jobs.

Verify Your Keyword Strategy

After optimizing your resume with keywords, check your resume to verify the keywords are properly placed and your resume remains ATS-compatible. Balance keyword optimization with readability—your resume must impress both the ATS and the human recruiter who reviews it.