PRACTICAL GUIDE

ATS Resume Keywords
: find and place them in your resume

ATS systems compare your resume to the job's keywords. Here's how to identify the right terms and where to add them to maximize your chances.

Generate my ATS-optimized resume Read the guide

Temps de lecture : 5 min

In this guide

The more your resume contains the right keywords in the right places, the better your chances of passing the ATS filter and being seen by a recruiter.

Why keywords make the difference

ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) scan your resume and compare it to the job description. The more relevant keywords your resume contains in the right places, the better your chances of passing the filter and being seen by a recruiter.

Copy-pasting the entire job ad is useless: ATS detect keyword stuffing. The goal is to naturally integrate essential terms into your experience, skills, and job titles.

ÉTAPE 1

Where to find keywords in a job posting

The keywords to look for are those that describe the role, required skills, and expected profile.

Job title and similar titles

The exact title (e.g. "Digital Project Manager") and its variants ("Project manager", "Project Lead") are often used as matching criteria.

Technical skills (hard skills)

Languages, tools, software, certifications: everything listed under "Required skills" or "Profile" should appear on your resume if you have them.

Industry and methodologies

Agile, Scrum, B2B, retail, SaaS... Industry and methodological terms count toward ATS scoring.

Education and degrees

If the posting mentions a specific degree or qualification, state it clearly in the Education section using the official wording.

ÉTAPE 2

Where to place keywords in your resume

ATS often weight certain areas more. Prioritize these zones without distorting your message.

Summary or headline under your name

A short phrase that reflects the target role and 2–3 key skills improves matching from the first read.

Job titles

If you held a similar role under a different name, you can add the posting's term in parentheses (e.g. "Sales Manager (Key Account Manager)").

Experience descriptions

Include keywords in the sentences that describe your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and the exact terms from the posting when relevant.

Skills section

List technical and professional skills using the posting's wording. A dedicated, well-structured "Skills" section is read well by ATS.

Practical tips

  • Use the exact words from the posting when possible (synonyms are sometimes recognized, but not always).
  • Avoid keyword stuffing: using the same phrase 2–3 times on your resume is enough.
  • Tailor your resume to each job: a generic resume scores lower than a targeted one.
  • Check spelling of technical terms and software names.

Learn more

Understanding ATS Tailor your resume to the job How to make an ATS resume

Frequently asked questions

How many keywords should I put on my resume?
There is no magic number. What matters is covering the required skills and profile naturally. Generally, the 10–15 terms most repeated in the posting (title, skills, responsibilities) are the most critical.

Do ATS recognize synonyms?
It depends on the software. Some ATS use semantic matching, others look for exact terms. To be safe, prefer the posting's wording when relevant.

Does JobAlign include the job's keywords in my resume?
Yes. When you generate a resume with a job posting, the AI selects and rewrites your experience while including the posting's keywords. You get a personalized, ATS-optimized resume in minutes. Create a personalized resume.

Personalized resume with the right keywords

Import your LinkedIn and a job posting: JobAlign generates a resume that includes the posting's keywords and passes ATS filters.

Create my optimized resume