Day 13 : How to Use Keywords in Your Resume for ATS: Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

In today’s competitive job market, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they ever reach a human recruiter. These systems scan resumes for relevant keywords, filtering out those that don’t meet certain criteria. Therefore, optimizing your resume for ATS is essential to increase your chances of getting noticed.

1. Understand How ATS Works

ATS scans your resume for specific keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t include the right words, it may not pass through the initial screening, no matter how qualified you are. This means that even if you have the right experience, your resume could be rejected because it lacks the appropriate language.

Example:

If a job description mentions “project management” several times, make sure to include this term in your resume, especially if you have relevant experience.

Action Tip:

Study the job description and highlight the key terms that the employer is looking for. Use those exact keywords in your resume to increase its ATS compatibility.

2. Incorporate Keywords Naturally

While it’s essential to include the right keywords, it’s equally important that they fit naturally into your resume. Don’t just cram keywords into your resume for the sake of it. Instead, find meaningful ways to incorporate them into your work experience and skills sections.

Example:

If a job description mentions “customer relationship management,” instead of just listing it in your skills section, write something like: “Managed customer relationships using CRM software, increasing client satisfaction by 20%.”

Action Tip:

Go through the job description and identify critical skills or responsibilities. Make sure these keywords are included naturally within your achievements or skills.

3. Use Industry-Specific Terms

Each industry has its own set of jargon and terminologies. Including industry-specific terms in your resume not only helps you match the job description but also shows that you’re familiar with the industry’s language. This is especially useful for roles requiring specialized skills or knowledge.

Example:

For a digital marketing role, keywords might include “SEO,” “Google Analytics,” or “content strategy.” Use these terms in context to showcase your industry knowledge.

Action Tip:

Research the common keywords used in your industry, and ensure they appear in your resume, especially if they align with your experience.

4. Focus on Both Hard and Soft Skills

While hard skills (like technical knowledge or specific software proficiencies) are often highlighted in job descriptions, soft skills such as “teamwork,” “leadership,” or “communication” are equally important. Many ATS systems look for these soft skills as well, so include them where appropriate.

Example:

If the job posting highlights “team collaboration,” mention your experience working in teams: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement a new software system, improving efficiency by 15%.”

Action Tip:

Balance your use of hard and soft skills throughout your resume. If a job description highlights both, make sure they’re reflected in your resume.

5. Avoid Overusing Abbreviations and Graphics

While some industries may use abbreviations frequently (like “SEO” for “Search Engine Optimization”), it’s a good idea to spell out both the full term and the abbreviation to ensure ATS can read it properly. Additionally, ATS struggles to scan graphics or images, so avoid putting important information in a non-text format.

Example:

Instead of just writing “SEO,” include “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” the first time you mention it. This ensures both the ATS and human readers understand your skills.

Action Tip:

Check your resume for any overuse of abbreviations or non-text elements. If you’ve used icons or fancy graphics, replace them with simple text-based alternatives that ATS can read.

Action Summary

• Understand ATS Functionality: Know that Applicant Tracking Systems scan resumes for specific keywords that match the job description; lacking these keywords could lead to rejection.
• Incorporate Keywords Naturally: Ensure keywords fit seamlessly into your work experience and skills sections, avoiding keyword stuffing.
• Use Industry-Specific Terms: Research and include industry jargon and terms to demonstrate familiarity and alignment with the job requirements.
• Balance Hard and Soft Skills: Highlight both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal traits) to meet ATS criteria.
• Avoid Abbreviations and Graphics: Spell out terms and avoid graphics or images that ATS may not interpret correctly, ensuring clarity for both ATS and human readers.

If you are more of a audio - visual person and would rather like to see / listen to this, check out my video on youtube : (it is a 15 minute video)

If you want to learn a little more about how you can create this magic, please feel free to get in touch with me. You may want to check out my course: "Unlocking the Secrets to Getting that Dream Job"??

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About the Author: Visvanathan Sambasivam

I am a corporate professional, having worked as a Marketing / Consumer Insights professional in various Indian and Global MNCs for the last 30 years, with a passion for mentoring, teaching, and coaching; with a vision of helping 1 million people in their personal and professional growth.

I write regularly on LinkedIn & Facebook and have mentored many people in their professional journey.