How to Find the Best ATS Keywords for Your Resume (Step-by-Step Guide)

Finding the best ATS keywords for your resume can mean the difference between success and failure in the job application process today. Below is a simple guide that walks you through the process in a step-by-step way.

Step 1: Analyze the Job Description

Analyzing the job description was the first step in identifying the best ATS keywords. Job descriptions contain specific terms and phrases that the employer expects applicants to possess; thus, this is the best point to begin searching for ATS resume keywords.

Look for resume keywords in the following areas:

• Skills: These are the abilities specific to the job.

• Job Titles: Listen for any specific titles or roles that are mentioned.

• Responsibilities: Pay attention to the tasks you would be doing in that role.

• Qualifications: Any degrees, certifications or licenses that are needed. 

For example, if a job description were to refer to "data analysis" frequently, then this must be a keyword to include on your resume. For example, it mentions specific software tools such as "Microsoft Excel"; ensure your resume says the same as a keyword for ATS.

Step 2: Use Tools Like Resume Keywords by mployee.me

After all the keywords for a resume from the job description have been gathered, the next step is to make your resume optimized. Resume Keywords by mployee.me is a very handy tool for doing just that. It enables you to upload the resume and the job description so it can compare the two documents.

There are two versions of this tool: 

• Free Version: Upload a resume and the job description, and the software will list resume keywords missing from your CV keywords. But it will also show any irrelevant or extra resume keywords in the resume that don't match the job description.

• Paid Version: The paid-for tool takes it a step even further. Once you have uploaded both the resume and the job description, the tool will generate a newly ATS-optimized resume according to the job being applied for.

This tool is effective for ensuring that your CV keywords correspond to those in the job description and are well optimized for ATS systems.

Step 3: Natural Inclusion of Keywords for ATS

Incorporate the right ATS keywords in resume and allow it to sound natural. The following are a few tips on how to go about it:

• Use CV Keywords in the Right Sections: Write ATS keywords in resume some of the relevant sections of your resume like work experience, skills, and qualifications.

• Be Specific: Be as specific as possible instead of using sweeping terms. For instance, instead of saying "management experience," indicate the type of management that you've done, either "team management" or "project management." 

• Include Variations: If the job description stated that it was a "sales" position, but you've worked in "business development," then both terms have to be referred to in the resume keywords as well in the resume to cover different ATS searches.

Of course, stuffing ATS keywords would make your resume appear unnatural while also making it impossible to read. Instead, select those that blend in smoothly with the context of your resume.

Step 4: Action Verbs and Power Words

Power words for resumes such as achieved, optimized, and innovated also make a case to distinguish yourself from the competition by focusing on what you brought to previous roles.

Among the powerful words for resumes are "achieved," "optimized," and "innovated," which help to increase the chances of standing out by showing what you did on the previous job.

Combining action verbs for resume with ATS keywords is most advantageous since it improves the chances of passing the ATS screening and also arms the resume with strength.

Step 5: Review and test the resume

After amending your resume, you need to read it to ensure that it goes well with the job description. Use the Resume Keywords by mployee.me again to check the accuracy of your CV keywords against ATS keywords in the job description. You may also like to have a friend or mentor read your CV and find out the extent to which your CV keywords for ATS fit your experience.

In case you are still confused, you can definitely find professional help in resume writing or coaching on how to optimize an ATS resume.

The function of an ATS cannot be stressed enough in the current scenario of recruitment, particularly for large organizations. There is a realistic chance of you not being seen by a recruiter or hiring manager if you do not have the right resume keywords in resume. The use of specific words and phrases helps ATS software scan resumes, and resumes without the right ATS keywords may be automatically rejected. 

The pertinent CV keywords will ensure that your resume has a much better possibility of passing through the gates of the ATS filters and being seen by a human recruiter. The chances of getting shortlisted for an interview turn massively improved.

It becomes really important to ingrain ATS keywords into your actual experiences, skills, and qualifications while putting them on your resume. The following are the steps involved:

• Match the Job Description: The first and most important is the keyword resume and job description match. Use the exact words and phrases from the ad. 

• Optimize Your Summary: With ATS resume keywords in your professional summary, it will be more likely to align with the rest of the job description; therefore, higher chances of going through ATS filters.

• Highlight Relevant Skills: One section could be called "Skills" and here, you can feature relevant ATS resume keywords such as very specific software, tools, or techniques that are mentioned verbatim in the job description.

• Prioritize Relevance: Don't include many resume keywords as in those cases that don't relate to the job. Keep focus on the most relevant and high-impact terms. 

• Different Forms: Include different forms of a keyword, for example, management and managing which cover more ATS filters. 

• No Keyword Stuffing: Allow your CV keywords to flow as naturally as possible within the context of your work experience.

• Match the Industry Keywords: Fit your ATS keywords to use an industry common term as "cloud computing" for it or "litigation" for law-increased ATS compatibility. 

• Do Not Use Complicated Formatting: Keep simple, nice formatting on your resume without images or tables, since ATS usually do not read them properly, losing important resume keywords for ATS.

• Include Long and Short-Tail Keywords: Use broad resume keywords on the resume, such as "project management," as well as very specific phrases, such as "project management in healthcare," which provide better coverage for ATS keywords.

Here is a list featuring the best ATS resume keywords for five industries:

1. Business

• Leadership  

• Strategic Planning  

• Business Development  

• Process Improvement  

• Sales Management  

• Budgeting  

• Client Relations  

• Market Research  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration  

• Risk Management  

2. Finance

• Financial Analysis  

• Budgeting  

• Forecasting  

• Accounting  

• Tax Preparation  

• Audit  

• Investment Strategy  

• Financial Reporting  

• Risk Assessment  

• Asset Management  

3. Healthcare

• Patient Care  

• Medical Billing  

• Healthcare Administration  

• Clinical Research  

• Medical Records  

• Healthcare Compliance  

• Patient Advocacy  

• HIPAA  

• Medical Coding  

• Nursing  

4. Information Technology (IT)

• Software Development  

• Network Security  

• Cloud Computing  

• IT Support  

• Data Analysis  

• System Administration  

• DevOps  

• Cyber Security  

• Database Management  

• Programming Languages  

5. Marketing

• Digital Marketing  

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)  

• Content Strategy  

• Social Media Management  

• E-mailing  

• PPC (Pay-Per-Click)  

• Brand Management  

• Market Research  

• Campaign Management  

• Marketing Analytics  

These ATS keywords intend to maximize the effectiveness of the respective sector resumes and help them draw close attention to the job requirements outlined by the industry, thus enhancing the chance of getting past the ATS scans.