Resume Keywords That Pass ATS Screening

Where to find the keywords

1. 1Copy the job description into a blank document.
2. 2Highlight every noun that names a skill, tool, method or certification.
3. 3Note anything repeated twice or more — that is a hard requirement.
4. 4Check three similar postings to find the terms common to the role, not just the company.

Where to place them

• Job title line — mirror the market title, not an internal one
• Summary — two or three of the most important terms
• Experience bullets — inside real evidence sentences
• Skills section — tools and certifications only

Keyword mistakes that get you filtered out

• White-text keyword stuffing — systems detect it and recruiters discard it
• Acronyms only: write 'Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)' once
• Claiming tools you cannot discuss in an interview
• Copying the job description verbatim into your summary

Frequently asked questions

How many keywords should I include?

Cover the repeated hard requirements — usually eight to twelve terms. Beyond that you are padding.

Does a skills list at the bottom count?

It helps recruiter search, but evidence inside your bullets is what survives a human read.

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