Enter your search term

Search by title or post keyword

The Best Resume Keywords To Land The Job Of Your Dreams

Our website is supported by our users. We sometimes earn affiliate links when you click through the affiliate links on our website

Contact us for Questions

Landing your dream job is a journey that begins with writing the perfect resume keywords.

But many struggle to write a resume that captures an employer’s attention.

Also, job recruiters receive thousands of applications whenever there is an opening.

Luckily, the key to getting your job application noticed is by using the right resume keywords.

No document carries the same weight of responsibility as a resume.

Finding the right words to put on your resume can feel overwhelming.

But don’t worry; let’s dive into understanding what keywords hiring managers look for and how to add them to your resume.

What Are Resume Keywords?

Resume keywords are phrases or words that relate to a particular job requirement.

These keywords highlight that the candidate understands the skills, abilities, or expertise required by the position.

Hiring managers use resume keywords to sieve through thousands of applications.

Proper use of keywords ensures that your resume gets the recruiter’s attention and is not discarded.

Some companies even use Applicant Tracking Systems to find resume keywords.

Including keywords in your resume helps you present yourself as a strong candidate for the job.

Why Is It Important To Use Resume Keywords?

The short answer is to stand out. Remember, you aren’t the only one applying for the position.

Thus, your resume will likely be part of a pile that hiring managers must sort through to identify who gets a job interview.

Using resume keywords is vital because:

  • It shows you understand the requirements of the job
  • It highlights that you paid attention to the job description
  • It optimizes the resume and gives you a competitive edge over other applicants

What Keywords Do Recruiters Look For?

The keywords that recruiters look for vary based on the job position.

To determine the resume keywords that recruiters will likely look for, consider the following:

  • Review the job description thoroughly and note the terms that show up consistently
  • Use some of the same language or verbatim used in the job description when writing the resume
  • Write by catering to the needs of your audience, that is, the recruiter

The last point refers to the correct tone to ensure that the recruiter doesn’t get bored reading your resume.

Recruiters will also look for resume keywords based on the nature of the industry.

Resume Keywords List by Industry

The buzz words for a resume will depend on the current trends in the industry.

Your qualifications for the job position are not a guarantee that you will get noticed.

Recruiters need to know that you understand what’s happening in the industry.

Here are some resume keywords based on the industry.

1. Finance Resume Keywords

The finance industry has become very competitive due to the number of unemployed qualified candidates.

The following are keywords useful for a job position in the finance industry:

  • Risk Assessment or risk analysis
  • Asset management
  • Return on investment
  • Valuation and compliance
  • Acquisitions and mergers  
  • Forecasting
  • Equity
  • Portfolio
  • Excel
  • Cost-benefit analysis
  • Financial planning
  • Industry trends, models, and financial reports

Customize the use of keywords based on the specific job position.

For instance, include keywords, such as cost-benefit analysis or mergers and acquisitions, if the position you are applying to involves a company that buys other companies or may get acquired in the future.

2. Business Resume Keywords

The business world is so vast that knowing what keywords to use in a resume can be challenging.

As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, more job openings will become available.

So, here are some keywords to help ensure that your resume doesn’t get overlooked:

  • Account management
  • Advertising
  • B2C, B2B, and business analysis
  • Market Insights
  • Strategic oversight and planning
  • Business administration
  • Business systems
  • Data management
  • Inventory management systems
  • Market development
  • Growth, performance standards, and client relations

Focus on keywords highlighting your understanding of the new position you are seeking.

For instance, keywords such as launched, demonstrated, or experienced may have a different goal than getting your resume noticed.

Remember that most job applicants will likely use those words.

Your resume should be as unique as possible while still appealing to the intended audience.

3. Creative Industries Resume Keywords

Creative industries have steadily grown in recent years, including film, fashion, photography, and music.

Individuals in these industries use their creativity to achieve commercial outcomes.

Getting a job in the creative industry is quite similar to other industries.

Here are some keywords to use in a resume when applying for a job in the industry:

  • Innovation
  • Graphic design or creative design
  • Detail oriented
  • Adobe creative suite
  • Automation
  • Photoshop
  • Project management
  • InDesign, CSS, and web design
  • Illustrator
  • Collaboration and communication skills
  • Technical skills

Areas that offer great employment opportunities for people in the creative industries are web production, creative development, visual design, and interaction design.

4. Marketing Resume Keywords

Marketing is a rapidly-evolving sector due to changing demographics and technological innovation.

Landing your dream job in the marketing industry can be a bit tricky.

Hiring managers will often consider hiring people with a critical understanding of current market trends among consumers.

Your qualifications and experience may not automatically give you an upper hand.

But the following keywords can help distinguish your resume:

  • Digital Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Social media marketing
  • Web-based advertising  
  • Influencer marketing
  • Account management
  • Client relationships
  • Consumer trends
  • Brand management
  • Product or market launch
  • Customer or client retention
  • Market positioning
  • Trend analysis

The resume keywords for the marketing industry are too many and will often change based on prevailing trends.

In addition, be attentive to the skills needed for the marketing position to understand what keywords are necessary for the resume.

5. Tech Resume Keywords

The tech world now offers some of the most high-paying jobs in the country.

But getting your foot in the door of some of the tech companies is not an easy process.

You need to have outstanding qualifications and a flawless resume.

Luckily, here are a few resume verbs that can help you in your job search:

  • Algorithms
  • Big data
  • Programming language
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Information systems
  • Multi-user interface
  • Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), end-user, engineering
  • Cloud computing
  • Remote access
  • Customer relationship management systems
  • Product development
  • Software-as-a-service (SaaS)
  • Vendor management
  • Workflows and web services
  • Data protection
  • Data mining
  • Agile project management

The tech field is quite volatile, and disruptive changes to the market can occur at any time.

You should include any other relevant skills or resources acquired in the resume when changing occupations.

6. Customer Service Resume Keywords

A job in customer service requires people with great people skills.

People in this field dedicate their services to the betterment of their clients.

A job in customer service follows the same procedure as other industries.

You will need to write a resume that edges out other applicants.

The keywords that are most appropriate for a resume in this niche are:

  • Client relationships
  • Customer experience
  • Customer Complaint
  • Dispute resolution
  • Positive attitude
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Teamwork
  • Customer satisfaction
  • On-boarding
  • Affirmative action
  • Account representative
  • Customer needs
  • Customer support
  • Point-of-Sale management
  • Data entry
  • Communication skills

Jobs in the customer service industry declined sharply during the Covid-19 era.

But the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that approximately 389,000 job openings are likely to become available annually.

7. Engineering Resume Keywords

A resume for an engineering job must highlight the essential skills employers will look for.

Thus, some of the keywords to include should be the following:

  • Computer-aided engineering
  • Operations management
  • Research and development
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Equipment management
  • Blueprinting
  • Simulation software and 3D modeling
  • Project estimation
  • Structural design
  • Quality assurance
  • Six Sigma
  • Lean manufacturing
  • Programming language
  • Technical specification writing
  • Full-stack development
  • Statistical analysis

The engineering field has numerous parts, and keywords will differ based on the specific sector.

For instance, civil engineering job openings may require keywords like piping, construction, contract negotiation, and preventive equipment maintenance.

The job outlook for engineers is quite good, as the sector may produce 140,000 new positions by 2026.

The median wage for engineers in the United States is $91,000. Finding a role as an engineer can change your life.

But first, you need to improve the efficacy of your resume by using the above keywords.

8. Human Resources Resume Keywords

Human resource employees are some of the individuals in charge of hiring practices.

Applying for a job in the human resource field requires specific skills.

You can frame some of these skills as keywords and include them in your resume, such as:

  • Change management
  • Sensitivity awareness or training
  • Grievance proceedings
  • Employee relations
  • Performance and personnel management
  • Organizational needs
  • HR policies
  • Talent management
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Succession planning
  • Team building and collaboration
  • Payroll processing
  • Staffing and union relations

The projected growth rate for employment in human resources is 8% for the next ten years.

You don’t have to worry if you haven’t gotten a job yet.

Spruce up your resume with some of the above keywords if you apply for a new job or a new position at a different company.

9. Healthcare Resume Keywords

Jobs in the healthcare department will likely grow by 13%.

But this doesn’t automatically mean that every professional in the sector will get a job.

Luckily, you can improve your chances of getting a job or moving to a better-paying position by using the following verbs in your resume or cover letter:

  • Patient care
  • FDA, CPR, HIPAA
  • Public health and public policy
  • Acute care
  • Electronic health systems
  • Vocational placement
  • Insurance billing
  • Administration and collaboration
  • Counseling and psychology
  • Clinical research
  • Customer service and communication skills
  • Innovation and time management

Also, include any skills that may differentiate you from other applicants.

For instance, if you are bi-lingual, include that in your resume.

10. Law Resume Keywords

Similar to other industries, occupations in the law industry will grow by 10% by 2031.

Improving your resume writing skills by including keywords will help you take advantage of every opportunity.

Here are the keywords you should have in a resume for a career in this niche:

  • Antitrust
  • Depositions
  • Communication and negotiation skills
  • Adjudication
  • Civil and commercial litigation
  • Legal research
  • Advocacy and mediation
  • Procurement
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Conflict resolution
  • Case law and client management
  • Judicial affairs and copyright law

11. Logistics Resume Keyword

Logistics has one of the fastest-growing employment rates of any industry at 28%.

Logisticians need analytical and numerical skills to do their jobs.

But first, let’s explore the keywords that can optimize your resume, such as:

  • Quality assurance
  • Customs documentation
  • Inventory management resources
  • Just-in-time manufacturing
  • Offshore purchasing
  • Procurement and outsourcing
  • Demand planning and capital acquisition
  • International trade
  • Operations management
  • Supply chain management
  • Invoice development
  • Forecasting

How To Find Resume Keywords

The process of writing a great resume begins with research.

You need to find out what words and phrases will make your resume stand out.

Searching the internet is one of the most effective ways to find resume keywords.

You can use a resume keywords generator to discover any missing words your resume should incorporate.

A resume keywords generator finds keywords based on the job description.

The generator helps you identify words employers will look for using the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

You can also find resume keywords through LinkedIn and YouTube Videos.

The job description is the easiest place to find the specific keywords employers are looking for.

You can use a Job Description Keyword Finder.

Such a tool scans the job descriptions and highlights the key phrases or keywords you should use in your resume.

How Do You Add Keywords to a Resume?

You can add keywords to your resume either manually or electronically.

For instance, you can identify words that occur throughout the job description and sprinkle them throughout your resume.

On the other hand, you can copy and paste the keywords into your resume.

The second option is applicable if you have used a keyword finder or generator.

But ensure that the keywords you include match the skills you already possess.

You can include keywords in the objective or skills section of the resume.

Wrapping Up

Nowadays, standing out to hiring managers is challenging despite meeting the requirements.

It’s become imperative that job seekers include certain words in their resumes when applying.

Resume keywords help you get to the top of the pile when hiring managers go through hundreds or thousands of job applications.

Analyzing the job description is an effective way of finding the right keywords.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions or need additional resume tips.

The best resume keywords to land the job of your dreams are in the job description.

Write your resume by including words that reflect you possess the skills required for the desired position.

Leave a Comment

Back to all Posts

Explore More within MyJobSearch

My Job Search
Get to work faster with jobs for felons curated for you.
post explore
post explore

Explore Resumes

Browse our templates to find one that matches your personality.