What are resume keywords?

Resume keywords are the specific words and phrases that describe the skills, tools, qualifications and experience an employer is looking for. They usually come straight from the job posting: job titles, software names, certifications, methods and industry terms.

Examples of keywords:

• Job titles: "Accounts Payable Specialist", "Site Engineer"
• Tools: "SAP", "AutoCAD", "Salesforce"
• Qualifications: "ACCA", "BSc Nursing", "PMP"
• Methods and areas: "budget forecasting", "patient assessment", "Agile"

Keywords matter for two readers. Applicant tracking systems often let recruiters search or filter applications by terms, and recruiters themselves scan for the same words to judge fit quickly.

The honest way to use keywords is to describe your real experience in the employer's language. If you have done the work, use the term they use for it. If you have not, do not add the word; show what you do have instead.