ATS Keywords by Industry: Complete 2026 List

You've written the perfect resume. Strong experience. Quantified achievements. Clean formatting.

You apply to 50 jobs. Hear back from zero.

Here's the brutal truth: your resume probably never reached human eyes. It got filtered out by an ATS—Applicant Tracking System—because you were missing the magic words.

75%

Of resumes rejected by ATS

Before a human recruiter ever sees them

Source: Jobscan Research, 2023

Those "magic words" are keywords—the specific skills, tools, and terms that ATS systems scan for. Miss them, and you're invisible. Nail them, and you jump to the top of the pile.

This guide gives you exactly what you need: industry-specific keyword lists for 2026, ready to copy into your resume.

What You'll Get

Copy-paste keyword lists for 10+ industries
Where to place keywords for maximum ATS impact
How to find keywords in any job posting
Common mistakes that tank your keyword strategy
Free tools to check your keyword match rate

How ATS Keyword Matching Actually Works

Before we dive into the lists, you need to understand how ATS systems use keywords.

It's simpler than you think:

1
The recruiter creates a job posting
This posting contains all the keywords the ATS will scan for—skills, tools, qualifications, certifications.
2
You submit your resume
The ATS parses your resume and extracts text from each section.
3
The system compares and scores
Your resume is scored based on how many keywords match the job posting. More matches = higher score.
4
Top candidates surface
Recruiters typically only review candidates in the top 20-30% of scores. Everyone else is filtered out.

The Key Insight

ATS systems are literal. If the job posting says "project management" and you wrote "managed projects," many systems won't count it as a match. Use the exact phrasing from the job posting.

Where to Put Keywords (Priority Order)

Not all keyword placements are equal. Here's where they matter most:

Location	Priority	Why It Matters
Professional Summary	🔴 Critical	First thing parsed and often weighted highest
Skills Section	🔴 Critical	Your keyword repository—list everything relevant here
Experience Bullets	🟠 High	Keywords in context show you've actually used these skills
Job Titles	🟠 High	Match the job title if you held a similar role
Education/Certifications	🟡 Medium	Industry certs and relevant coursework

Pro Tip

Your skills section is your keyword repository. List every relevant hard skill, tool, and technology—even if it's also mentioned in your experience. ATS systems count both.

Technology & Software Development

Tech roles live and die by technical keywords. Here's your 2026 cheat sheet:

Programming Languages

Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C++, C#, Go, Rust, Ruby, 
PHP, Swift, Kotlin, Scala, R, SQL, HTML, CSS, Bash, PowerShell

Frameworks & Libraries

React, Angular, Vue.js, Next.js, Node.js, Express, Django, Flask,
Spring Boot, .NET, Rails, Laravel, FastAPI, TensorFlow, PyTorch,
Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform

Cloud & DevOps

AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Docker, Kubernetes,
Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Terraform, Ansible,
CloudFormation, Serverless, Microservices, API Gateway, Lambda

Data & AI

Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP),
Computer Vision, Data Engineering, ETL, Data Pipeline, Apache Spark,
Hadoop, Kafka, Airflow, dbt, Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery

Tools & Methodologies

Git, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, JIRA, Confluence, CI/CD, DevOps,
Test-Driven Development (TDD), Code Review, System Design,
RESTful APIs, GraphQL, Microservices Architecture

Tech Resume Must-Haves

Always include: specific programming languages, cloud platforms, methodologies (Agile/Scrum), and version control (Git). These appear in 90%+ of tech job postings.

Check your tech resume keywords

Paste any job description and see which keywords you're missing.

Try Keyword Scanner

Marketing & Digital Marketing

Marketing keywords have shifted heavily toward digital, data, and automation:

Digital Marketing Core

SEO, SEM, PPC, Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Display Advertising,
Programmatic, Retargeting, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO),
A/B Testing, Landing Pages, Lead Generation, Demand Generation

Content Marketing, Content Strategy, Editorial Calendar, Copywriting,
Social Media Marketing, Community Management, Influencer Marketing,
Brand Awareness, Thought Leadership, Storytelling, Video Marketing

Analytics & Tools

Google Analytics, GA4, Google Tag Manager, HubSpot, Marketo,
Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Hootsuite, Sprout Social,
Tableau, Looker, Data Studio, Marketing Automation

Strategy & Performance

Marketing Strategy, Campaign Management, ROI, ROAS, CAC, LTV,
Customer Journey, Marketing Funnel, Attribution, Brand Positioning,
Market Research, Competitive Analysis, Go-to-Market (GTM)

Tip

Marketing roles increasingly require data skills. Include analytics tools and metrics (ROI, ROAS, CAC) even if they're not your primary focus—they show business impact.

Finance & Accounting

Finance keywords emphasize precision, compliance, and analytical rigor:

Core Finance

Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Budgeting,
Variance Analysis, Cash Flow Management, P&L, Balance Sheet,
Income Statement, Revenue Recognition, Cost Accounting

Investment & Banking

Valuation, DCF, LBO, M&A, Due Diligence, Portfolio Management,
Risk Management, Market Analysis, Equity Research, Fixed Income,
Derivatives, Asset Management, Wealth Management

Accounting & Compliance

GAAP, IFRS, SOX Compliance, Internal Controls, Audit,
Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger,
Journal Entries, Bank Reconciliation, Month-End Close

Tools & Certifications

Excel (Advanced), VBA, SQL, Bloomberg Terminal, Capital IQ,
SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, QuickBooks, Workday, Hyperion,
CPA, CFA, CFP, CMA, ACCA

Finance Keywords That Matter

Certifications (CPA, CFA) carry significant weight. If you're pursuing one, include "CFA Level II Candidate" or similar—it still counts.

Healthcare & Medical

Healthcare keywords require industry-specific terminology and compliance awareness:

Clinical Keywords

Patient Care, Electronic Health Records (EHR), EMR, HIPAA Compliance,
Medical Terminology, Vital Signs, Patient Assessment, Care Coordination,
Treatment Planning, Clinical Documentation, Medication Administration

Nursing Specific

Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), BSN, MSN,
ICU, ER, OR, Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Oncology, Telemetry,
Patient Advocacy, Triage, IV Therapy, Wound Care

Healthcare Administration

Healthcare Management, Revenue Cycle, Medical Billing, Medical Coding,
ICD-10, CPT Codes, Claims Processing, Insurance Verification,
Patient Scheduling, Healthcare Analytics, Quality Improvement

Certifications & Systems

BLS, ACLS, PALS, Epic, Cerner, Meditech, Athenahealth,
JCAHO, CMS Regulations, Quality Metrics, OSHA Compliance

Warning

Healthcare roles often require specific licenses and certifications. Include all of yours—BLS, ACLS, state licenses—even if they seem obvious. ATS systems scan for them.

Sales & Business Development

Sales keywords focus on metrics, processes, and relationship management:

Core Sales

B2B Sales, B2C Sales, Enterprise Sales, Inside Sales, Field Sales,
Account Management, Business Development, Lead Generation,
Prospecting, Cold Calling, Outbound Sales, Inbound Sales

Process & Methodology

Sales Pipeline, Sales Funnel, Consultative Selling, Solution Selling,
SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, MEDDIC, Sales Cycle, Closing,
Negotiation, Contract Negotiation, Deal Structuring

Metrics & Performance

Quota Attainment, Revenue Growth, YoY Growth, ARR, MRR,
Customer Acquisition, Upselling, Cross-Selling, Churn Reduction,
Sales Forecasting, Territory Management, Market Expansion

CRM & Tools

Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Outreach, Salesloft, ZoomInfo,
LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Gong, Chorus, Sales Automation,
CRM Management, Pipeline Management

Sales Resume Must-Have

Always quantify: "Exceeded quota by 120%" beats "strong sales performance." Include specific revenue numbers, deal sizes, and growth percentages.

Human Resources & Recruiting

HR keywords span people operations, compliance, and talent acquisition:

Talent Acquisition

Full-Cycle Recruiting, Sourcing, Candidate Experience, Employer Branding,
Talent Pipeline, Passive Candidates, Interview Process, Offer Negotiation,
Onboarding, Applicant Tracking System (ATS), Job Postings

HR Operations

HRIS, Workday, BambooHR, ADP, Payroll, Benefits Administration,
Employee Relations, Performance Management, Compensation Analysis,
HR Policies, Employee Handbook, Compliance

People & Culture

Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Change Management,
Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Learning & Development (L&D),
Succession Planning, Talent Management, Culture Building

Legal & Compliance

FMLA, ADA, EEO, FLSA, I-9 Compliance, Background Checks,
Workplace Safety, OSHA, Employment Law, HR Compliance,
Termination Procedures, Investigations

Project Management

PM keywords center on methodology, tools, and delivery:

Methodologies

Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, PRINCE2,
Sprint Planning, Backlog Management, User Stories, Retrospectives,
Continuous Improvement, Process Optimization

Core Skills

Project Planning, Resource Allocation, Timeline Management,
Budget Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management,
Cross-Functional Teams, Vendor Management, Change Management

Tools

JIRA, Asana, Monday.com, Trello, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet,
Confluence, Notion, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Gantt Charts,
Project Documentation, Status Reporting

Certifications

PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), PRINCE2, CAPM,
Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Certification

Tip

Project management certifications (PMP, CSM) are heavily weighted by ATS. If you're certified, include the full name AND acronym—ATS might scan for either.

Customer Success & Support

These keywords focus on retention, satisfaction, and technical support:

Customer Success

Customer Success, Customer Retention, Churn Prevention, NPS,
Customer Health Score, QBRs, Executive Business Reviews,
Adoption, Onboarding, Renewal Management, Expansion Revenue

Support & Service

Customer Support, Technical Support, Help Desk, Troubleshooting,
Ticket Resolution, SLA, First Response Time, CSAT, CES,
Knowledge Base, Documentation, Escalation Management

Tools & Platforms

Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk, Salesforce Service Cloud, Gainsight,
ChurnZero, Totango, HubSpot Service Hub, LiveChat, Chatbot,
CRM, Ticketing System

Operations & Supply Chain

Operations keywords emphasize efficiency, logistics, and process:

Operations Management

Operations Management, Process Improvement, Continuous Improvement,
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
KPIs, Metrics, Operational Excellence, Capacity Planning

Supply Chain & Logistics

Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Vendor Management, Sourcing,
Inventory Management, Demand Planning, Logistics, Distribution,
Warehousing, Order Fulfillment, Last-Mile Delivery

Tools & Systems

ERP, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, WMS, TMS, MRP, Inventory Control,
Demand Forecasting, S&OP, APICS, CSCP, CPIM

How to Find Keywords in Any Job Posting

Don't just rely on generic lists. Here's how to extract keywords from specific job postings:

1
Copy the entire job posting
Paste it into a document or our Keyword Scanner tool.
2
Highlight repeated terms
Words mentioned 2-3+ times are high-priority keywords.
3
Identify 'required' vs. 'preferred'
Required qualifications are must-have keywords. Preferred are bonus points.
4
Note exact phrasing
If they say 'cross-functional collaboration,' use that—not 'worked with other teams.'
5
Check for tools and technologies
Specific software, platforms, and certifications mentioned are almost always scanned.

Automate your keyword research

Paste any job description and instantly see which keywords to add to your resume.

Try Keyword Scanner Free

Common Keyword Mistakes

Mistake 1: Keyword Stuffing

Cramming keywords everywhere makes your resume unreadable—and modern ATS can detect stuffing. Use keywords naturally within context.

Mistake 2: Using Only Acronyms (or Only Full Terms)

Some ATS scan for "PMP," others for "Project Management Professional." Include both versions: "Project Management Professional (PMP)."

Mistake 3: Ignoring Soft Skills

ATS systems increasingly scan for soft skills like "leadership," "collaboration," and "communication." Include them, but with context.

Mistake 4: Copying the Job Posting Verbatim

Keyword matching is important, but copying entire sentences looks suspicious. Integrate keywords naturally into your own achievements.

Mistake 5: Using the Same Resume Everywhere

Generic resumes have lower match rates. Customize your skills section and summary for each application—or at least each role type.

The 70-80% Rule

70-80%

Target keyword match rate

You don't need 100%—aim for this range for optimal results

You don't need to match every keyword in the job posting. 70-80% match rate is the sweet spot:

Below 70% = likely filtered out
70-80% = competitive candidate
100% = can look suspicious (or you're the perfect unicorn)

Focus on required qualifications and repeated terms first. Those carry the most weight.

Quick Keyword Checklist

Before you submit any application:

Keyword Optimization Checklist

Professional summary includes 3-5 key terms from job posting
Skills section lists all relevant hard skills and tools
Experience bullets include keywords with context
Certifications are spelled out AND abbreviated
Job title matches posting (if accurate to your role)
Tested with ATS scanner—no parsing errors

Your Move

Stop guessing which keywords to use. Stop sending the same resume everywhere.

Start matching your resume to each job posting—or at least to each role type. The difference between a 50% match and an 80% match is the difference between rejection and interview.

Build a keyword-optimized resume in minutes

Our AI-powered builder suggests industry keywords, checks ATS compatibility, and helps you match job postings automatically.

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Resume Optimization Guide — Master ATS formatting, structure, and strategy
Keyword Scanner — Match your resume to any job posting
Resume Builder — ATS-optimized templates with built-in keyword suggestions
Bullet Point Generator — Turn duties into keyword-rich achievements
Entry-Level Resume Guide — Keywords for candidates with limited experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ATS keywords?

ATS keywords are specific terms—skills, tools, job titles, certifications—that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for when filtering resumes. Matching keywords from the job posting increases your chances of passing automated screening.

How many keywords should I include in my resume?

Aim to match 70-80% of keywords from the job posting. Focus on hard skills, tools, and required qualifications. Don't stuff—use keywords naturally in context.

Where should I put keywords on my resume?

Priority locations: professional summary (most important), skills section, experience bullet points, and job titles. Keywords in these areas get the most weight from ATS systems.

Should I use the exact keywords from the job posting?

Yes, when possible. ATS systems often match literally. If the posting says 'project management,' use that exact phrase—not 'managed projects' or 'PM.'

Do keywords work differently by industry?

Absolutely. Tech resumes prioritize programming languages and tools. Healthcare requires certifications and compliance terms. Finance emphasizes regulations and methodologies. Always research industry-specific terms.

Can I use the same keywords for every application?

Only partially. Core skills in your field stay consistent, but you should always add keywords specific to each job posting. Customization significantly improves match rates.

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