What are the most effective resume keywords for ATS systems?

Keywords are the functional skills used in the job description that the hiring manager is looking for. They are generally industry terms/processes, certifications, and software programs. An example for an accounting position: GAAP, reconciliation, AP/AR, NetSuite, CPA Recruiters use keywords from the job description to evaluate candidates in terms of their overall match to the job - but these terms need to be used CONTEXTUALLY, meaning "HOW" were they used? Use the STAR method for your job: Situation: what was the problem you were solving? Task: HOW did you solve it*? Action: WHAT did you do to solve it?* Result: SHOW the success by sharing the metrics. *This is where you will use the keywords most.

Again with the ATS/keyword nonsense??? What the hell is going on there, LinkedIn? No ATS will "identify you as a suitable candidate...". The recruiter reading your resume does that. Not a bot; not an algorithm; not an AI. The recruiter does that. All the ATS does is deliver the resume to that recruiter, who will then review it and assess the degree to which the applicant meets the qualifications. Said recruiter then uses features in the ATS to disposition (i.e. - reject someone and note them as such), or move them further in the process. Adding keywords doesn't help. Being well-qualified does.

Again with this nonsense. The ATS is a digital filing cabinet. It does not screen resumes or auto-reject candidates. A human does that.

No such thing but seems like this myth is back and now powered through LinkedIn. Feel sorry for LinkedIn to publish this. As a jobseeker you just need to ensure you have an up to date cv.

There are NONE. The ATS does not evaluate your resume, a human does. A human with enough intelligence to use a computer will be able to evaluate if you are a reasonable match to the role. This ATS myth needs to go away.

Read the job advert. Do you understand it? If so you will be able to pick up the language they are using in relation to your own role. Do they ask for SOPs and KPIs and you've written procedural documentation and quantifiable objectives - simple swap. If you do not understand the jargon used in the job advert then it is very likely you are not yet qualified to fill that role.

You only have to capture the hiring managers attention - again stop the ATS myth. Write a clear resume with metrics and outcomes, not just tasks.

Even though including keyword in your resume can be a crucial aspect in the selection process, don't overdo it by copy-pasting pieces from a job posting or inserting them in random places. The advice to "adjust your resume for a job description" usually means that recruiters want to quickly find titles, skills and experience listed among job requirements - that is what helps your resume move forward. While doing the adjustments for a specific job description, please keep in mind that ATS is a database of candidates where recruiters use keywords to find your data easily and see how well you match. If you resume is well written and structured, it will most likely be stored in the ATS and sourced for similar job openings in future.

There are many ATS tools and just like you using Google and what ends up on the first page this is where you want to be when they use boolean search. Be qualified for the role, add what the job description wants. A good formatted resume with great content is the key. Once I was hiring for a QA role & when I searched the internal ATS database, a QA tester/engineer came up. The job description was nothing like it. I needed to find the right talent by looking at each application manually instead of a boolean search. The problem was the customized title on our end. Just like all the job descriptions are not the same, your resume needs update. Keywords could vary based on who uses them, knowledge of boolean search and type of ATS.

Again this is a myth - you don't need to test your resume with a tool. Ask a qualified person or friend to ensure that your resume reads well and makes the most of your skills and achievements.

No, it really DOES NOT SCAN resumes as you apply. That is what PEOPLE do. The only reason/instance of an ATS "scanning" your resume is if a recruiter actually runs a keyword SEARCH for candidates already IN the database. That means we write a Boolean search string and hit ..."search".