50+ Resume Keywords That Get You Past ATS (By Industry)

Why Resume Keywords Matter More Than You Think

When you submit your resume online, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) scans it for specific keywords before any human sees it. If your resume doesn't contain the right terms, it gets filtered out — no matter how qualified you are.

But here's what most job seekers get wrong: keywords aren't universal. A "Software Engineer" resume needs completely different keywords than a "Marketing Manager" resume. Even two Software Engineer postings at different companies might prioritize different terms.

Below, we've compiled the most impactful keywords by industry — the terms that ATS systems actually scan for and weight heavily in scoring.

How to Use These Keywords (The Right Way)

Before we dive into the lists, here are three rules for keyword usage:

1. Context matters. Don't just list keywords — weave them into your achievement bullets. "Managed a $2M Google Ads budget with 300% ROAS" is infinitely better than "Google Ads, budget management, ROAS."
2. Match the job posting. Always check the specific language in the job description. If they say "stakeholder management" and you write "stakeholder relations," the ATS might not make the connection.
3. Include both acronyms and full terms. Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" so you match both variations.

Software Engineering Keywords

Tech resumes need a balance of programming languages, frameworks, methodologies, and impact metrics.

Must-Have Technical Keywords

• Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, Go, Rust, C++, SQL
• Frontend: React, Angular, Vue.js, Next.js, HTML5, CSS3, Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js, Express, Django, Spring Boot, FastAPI, GraphQL, REST API
• Cloud & DevOps: AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Terraform, Jenkins
• Data: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Apache Kafka

High-Impact Action Keywords

• Architected, Implemented, Optimized, Scaled, Refactored
• Reduced latency by X%, Improved throughput by X%, Decreased error rate by X%
• System design, Code review, Technical leadership, Mentored X engineers

Example Bullet Point

"Architected a microservices backend using Node.js and PostgreSQL, reducing API latency by 40% and supporting 10K concurrent users on AWS ECS."

Marketing & Digital Marketing Keywords

Marketing resumes need to show both strategic thinking and tactical execution with measurable outcomes.

Must-Have Keywords

• Strategy: Content Strategy, Brand Management, Go-to-Market (GTM), Marketing Automation
• Digital: SEO/SEM, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, PPC, Social Media Marketing
• Analytics: Google Analytics (GA4), HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Content: Content Marketing, Email Marketing, CRM, Lead Generation, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
• Metrics: ROAS, CAC, LTV, CTR, Engagement Rate, Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs)

Example Bullet Point

"Developed and executed a content marketing strategy that generated 5,000 MQLs monthly, achieving a 300% ROAS on a $50K quarterly Google Ads budget."

Finance & Accounting Keywords

Finance resumes are heavily weighted toward certifications, compliance knowledge, and software proficiency.

Must-Have Keywords

• Certifications: CPA, CFA, CMA, ACCA, Series 7, Series 63
• Standards: GAAP, IFRS, SOX Compliance, SEC Reporting
• Software: SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, QuickBooks, Bloomberg Terminal, Advanced Excel
• Skills: Financial Modeling, Variance Analysis, Budgeting & Forecasting, Tax Preparation, Audit
• Metrics: P&L Management, Revenue Recognition, Cash Flow Analysis, Accounts Payable/Receivable

Example Bullet Point

"Managed month-end close for 12 entities ($50M combined revenue), reducing close cycle from 10 days to 5 days through process automation in SAP FI/CO."

Healthcare & Nursing Keywords

Healthcare ATS systems are unique — they heavily filter for certifications, clinical specializations, and EMR systems.

Must-Have Keywords

• Certifications: RN, BSN, MSN, NP, BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN
• EMR Systems: Epic, Cerner, Meditech, Allscripts — list the specific system you've used
• Clinical: Patient Assessment, Care Planning, Medication Administration, IV Therapy, Wound Care
• Specializations: ICU, ER, OR, Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Oncology, Telemetry
• Compliance: HIPAA, Joint Commission, Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement

Example Bullet Point

"Provided direct patient care in a 40-bed ICU at a Level I Trauma Center (1:2 ratio), managing ventilator patients and continuous drips while maintaining 98% medication accuracy score in Epic EMR."

Sales & Business Development Keywords

Sales resumes live and die by numbers, CRM tools, and methodology terms.

Must-Have Keywords

• CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho CRM
• Methodology: MEDDIC, SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, Solution Selling, Consultative Selling
• Metrics: Quota Attainment, Pipeline Management, Revenue Growth, Deal Size, Win Rate
• Activities: Lead Generation, Cold Calling, Account Management, Contract Negotiation, Upselling
• Types: B2B, B2C, Enterprise, SMB, SaaS, Inside Sales, Field Sales

Example Bullet Point

"Consistently achieved 130%+ of $1.5M annual quota, closing 40+ enterprise SaaS deals ($50K-$300K ACV) through MEDDIC-based consultative selling in Salesforce-managed pipeline."

Project Management Keywords

Must-Have Keywords

• Certifications: PMP, CSM, SAFe, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma
• Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, Hybrid
• Tools: JIRA, Asana, Monday.com, MS Project, Confluence, Smartsheet
• Skills: Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Resource Planning, Budget Management, Change Management
• Metrics: On-time delivery, Under-budget completion, Team size, Project value

Example Bullet Point

"Delivered a $3.2M digital transformation project 3 weeks ahead of schedule, managing a 15-person cross-functional team using Agile/Scrum methodology in JIRA."

Human Resources Keywords

Must-Have Keywords

• HRIS: Workday, BambooHR, ADP, SAP SuccessFactors, UKG
• Functions: Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Succession Planning
• Compliance: FMLA, ADA, EEOC, FLSA, I-9 Verification, OFCCP
• Strategy: Employer Branding, Compensation & Benefits, Organizational Development, D&I Initiatives
• Metrics: Time-to-Fill, Turnover Rate, Employee Engagement Score, Cost-per-Hire

Universal Power Keywords (Every Resume Needs These)

Regardless of your industry, these action verbs and phrases get ATS attention:

Leadership

Led, Directed, Managed, Supervised, Mentored, Coordinated, Spearheaded

Achievement

Achieved, Exceeded, Surpassed, Delivered, Accomplished, Generated, Increased

Innovation

Developed, Created, Designed, Implemented, Launched, Pioneered, Introduced

Efficiency

Streamlined, Optimized, Reduced, Automated, Consolidated, Improved, Accelerated

The Secret Most People Miss

Here's the truth nobody tells you about resume keywords: the best keywords aren't from a generic list — they're from the specific job posting you're applying to.

Every company writes their job descriptions differently. One might say "stakeholder management" while another says "stakeholder engagement." One might want "Python" while another wants "Python 3.x." The keywords that matter are the ones in the actual posting.

This is exactly the problem Rejectly.pro solves. Our Job Match Analysis reads the specific job description you're applying to, identifies every keyword and requirement, and rewrites your resume to match — creating a unique, optimized version for every single application.

Want to see which keywords you're missing? Check your resume's ATS score for free and get a detailed keyword gap analysis. Or start building a job-specific resume that includes the exact keywords each role demands.