Resume keywords: how to find them and where to put them

You've probably heard that keywords matter for getting past applicant tracking systems and catching a recruiter's eye. That's true. But "use the right keywords" is vague advice when you're staring at a blank resume wondering which words, exactly, are the right ones. And even once you identify them, there's the question of where to put them without making your resume sound like it was written by a robot.

This guide covers exactly how to identify the right keywords from any job description and weave them into your resume naturally. No tricks, no gimmicks — just a practical process you can use every time you apply for a role.

What resume keywords actually are

When people hear "resume keywords," they tend to think of hard skills and software names — things like "Python" or "Salesforce" or "financial modeling." Those count, but keywords are broader than that. They include:

• Technical skills and tools — programming languages, software platforms, methodologies (e.g., "Agile," "SQL," "Figma")
• Soft skills framed as competencies — not vague words like "hardworking," but specific capabilities like "cross-functional collaboration," "stakeholder management," or "client relationship development"
• Industry-specific terminology — language that signals you understand the field, such as "regulatory compliance" in finance or "patient outcomes" in healthcare
• Action verbs that match the role — if the job description uses "spearheaded," "implemented," or "optimized," those verbs signal what the employer values
• Certifications and credentials — "PMP," "CPA," "AWS Certified Solutions Architect," or whatever credentials are relevant to the role

The key insight is this: keywords are the language the employer uses to describe what they need. Your job is to figure out what that language is and reflect it back in a way that's honest and specific to your experience.

How to extract keywords from a job description

Extracting keywords isn't about running a job description through a word counter. It's a focused reading exercise. Here's how to do it well:

Read the job description twice. The first time, read for the big picture: What is this role really about? What kind of person are they looking for? The second time, read for specifics. Slow down and pay attention to the individual terms and phrases used in the requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications sections.

Highlight repeated terms. If a word or phrase appears three or more times, it's important. Employers don't repeat terms by accident. If "data analysis" shows up in the summary, the responsibilities, and the requirements, that's a core keyword you need on your resume.

Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Most job descriptions have required qualifications and preferred qualifications. The required section contains your highest-priority keywords. The preferred section is where you'll find terms that can strengthen your resume but aren't dealbreakers if you're missing one or two.

Note the exact phrasing. This matters more than you think. ATS software is very literal — it often can't match synonyms to expected keywords. If the job description says "project management," don't write "managing projects." If it says "client retention," don't substitute "keeping customers happy." Mirror their language.

Check other listings for the same role. If the company has posted similar positions, compare them. Consistent terms across multiple listings are core to how the company thinks about the role, which makes them especially important keywords to include.

A quick example

Say you're looking at a marketing manager job description that includes this in the requirements section:

"3+ years of experience in digital marketing, including SEO, paid media, and email marketing. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Google Analytics and marketing automation platforms. Experience managing cross-functional campaigns and reporting on KPIs to senior leadership."

Your keyword list from just this paragraph would be: digital marketing, SEO, paid media, email marketing, analytical skills, Google Analytics, marketing automation, cross-functional campaigns, KPIs, senior leadership reporting. Notice that "digital marketing" frames the whole role, and "cross-functional" and "KPIs" signal what they value beyond the technical skills.

Where to place keywords on your resume

Finding the right keywords is half the battle. The other half is putting them where they'll have the most impact. Here's where each type of keyword belongs:

Summary or profile section

This is prime real estate. Front-load your summary with the three or four most critical keywords from the job description. Your summary should read like a direct response to what the employer is asking for. If the role calls for "digital marketing," "SEO," and "cross-functional collaboration," those terms should appear in your first few lines.

Bullet points under each role

This is where you tailor your resume to the job description most effectively. Weave keywords into strong accomplishment-driven bullet points naturally. Instead of listing keywords like a grocery list, embed them in the context of what you did and what resulted from it. For example: "Led cross-functional campaigns across paid media and email marketing, increasing lead generation by 34% quarter over quarter."

Skills section

Your skills section is the place for explicit, scannable keyword placement. List technical skills, tools, and platforms by name. This section exists so that both ATS and human recruiters can quickly confirm you have the specific competencies they're looking for. Don't bury "Google Analytics" only in a bullet point — list it in your skills section as well.

Job titles

If your actual title was unusual or company-specific, clarify it. If your title was "Client Success Lead" but the industry-standard term is "Account Manager," write it as "Client Success Lead (Account Manager)." This helps both the ATS and the recruiter understand your experience without you having to misrepresent your actual title.

What not to do

A few keyword placement tactics that will hurt you more than they help: Don't create a hidden keywords section at the bottom of your resume. Don't use white text on a white background to stuff in extra terms. Don't paste the entire job description into an invisible text box. Many ATS platforms can detect these tricks, and if a recruiter discovers them, your credibility is gone. Keywords only count when they appear in visible, meaningful context.

Keyword matching vs. keyword stuffing

There's a meaningful difference between using keywords strategically and cramming them in wherever they'll fit. Keyword matching means each important term appears one to three times across your resume, in places where it makes sense. Keyword stuffing means forcing the same word in over and over, regardless of whether it reads naturally.

Both ATS and human recruiters can spot stuffing. ATS platforms increasingly use algorithms that flag unnatural repetition. And recruiters who see the same phrase jammed into every bullet will question whether you're trying to game the system rather than genuinely presenting your experience.

Here's what the difference looks like in practice:

Keyword-stuffed: "Managed project management projects using project management tools and project management methodologies to deliver project management outcomes for the project management team."

Natural keyword use: "Led end-to-end project management for a cross-functional product launch, using Asana to coordinate timelines across engineering, design, and marketing. Delivered two weeks ahead of schedule and 12% under budget."

The second version uses "project management" once, names a specific tool, and demonstrates the skill through a real accomplishment. That's what effective keyword use looks like — it proves the competency rather than just repeating the label.

How to handle keywords you don't fully match

No one matches every keyword in every job description. That's normal, and it doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. Here's how to handle the gaps strategically:

Prioritize must-haves over nice-to-haves. If you match the required qualifications but are missing a few preferred ones, you're still a competitive candidate. Focus your resume on the keywords you do match confidently, and don't stress about every "bonus" item on the list.

Use transferable language. If you've used a tool that's similar to the one they're asking for, mention both. For example, if you've used Asana but the job description asks for Monday.com, you might write: "Managed project workflows using Asana and other project management tools." This signals familiarity with the category even if you haven't used the exact platform. The recruiter can make the connection.

Address gaps in your cover letter. Your cover letter is the right place to acknowledge a missing skill and explain how you'd bridge the gap. Something like "While my experience is primarily with Tableau, I'm currently building proficiency in Power BI and am confident in my ability to transition quickly given my strong foundation in data visualization" goes a long way.

Don't fake keywords for skills you don't have. It might get you past the ATS, but it will surface in the interview. If your resume says "fluent in Python" and you can barely write a for loop, you're setting yourself up for an uncomfortable conversation. Every keyword on your resume should be something you can speak to with confidence and specific examples. Keep every bullet interview-defensible.

Frequently asked questions about resume keywords

How many keywords should I include in my resume?

There's no magic number. Focus on the 10-15 most important terms from the job description — the ones that appear in the requirements section and come up repeatedly. Each keyword should appear one to three times across your resume in relevant context. Quality and placement matter more than raw count.

Should I use the exact words from the job description?

Yes, whenever possible. ATS software is very literal and often cannot match synonyms to expected keywords. If the job description says "project management," use that exact phrase rather than "managing projects" or "overseeing initiatives." Mirror the employer's language to ensure both the ATS and the recruiter recognize your qualifications.

Can I put keywords in a hidden section of my resume?

No. Hiding keywords in white text, behind images, or in invisible sections is a bad idea. Many ATS platforms can detect hidden text, and if a recruiter discovers it, your application will almost certainly be rejected. Keywords only help you if they appear in visible, meaningful context on your resume.

Do keywords matter if a human is reading my resume?

Absolutely. Keywords aren't just for ATS — they're the language the employer uses to describe what they need. When a recruiter scans your resume, they're looking for the same terms they wrote into the job description. Using the right keywords signals that you understand the role and have the relevant experience. A resume that mirrors the job description's language reads as a stronger fit to both humans and software.