Beat the ATS without keyword stuffing

Resume Keywords: How to Use Them Without Keyword Stuffing

Keywords help your resume pass ATS filters—but stuffing them in makes you look desperate. Learn how to identify, place, and integrate keywords naturally.

Scan my resume ATS checker guide

What keywords actually matter

Not all keywords are equal. Focus on these categories, in order of importance:

  • Hard skills: Python, SQL, Figma, Salesforce, AWS
  • Job titles: Product Manager, Senior Engineer, Data Analyst
  • Certifications: PMP, CPA, AWS Certified, Google Analytics
  • Industry terms: B2B SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, healthcare
  • Action verbs: Led, built, shipped, optimized, reduced

Where to find keywords

1. Job descriptions

Read 3-5 postings for your target role. Note repeated terms—those are your priority keywords.

2. LinkedIn profiles

Look at people in similar roles. What skills and tools do they highlight?

3. Company career pages

Check how the company describes ideal candidates. Mirror their language.

4. Industry reports

Trending skills in your field (e.g., "AI/ML" for engineers, "PLG" for product managers).

Example keywords by role

Software Engineer

Python TypeScript AWS Kubernetes CI/CD PostgreSQL Microservices REST APIs

Product Manager

Roadmap A/B testing User research PRD Stakeholder management OKRs Product analytics Agile

Data Analyst

SQL Python Tableau Looker Data visualization ETL Statistical analysis Excel

How to integrate keywords naturally

❌ Keyword stuffing
"Skilled in Python, SQL, data analysis, machine learning, Tableau, data visualization, Excel, statistical analysis, pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, data mining."
✅ Natural integration
"Built Python data pipelines that reduced reporting time by 8 hours/week. Created Tableau dashboards tracking $2M in quarterly revenue. Applied statistical analysis to identify conversion drivers, increasing signup rate 12%."

The rule: Every keyword should appear in context—attached to an achievement, project, or responsibility. Standalone lists feel hollow.

Where to place keywords

Summary (top priority)

Include your target title and 2-3 core skills. This is the first thing scanned.

Experience bullets

Weave keywords into achievements: "Built Python pipelines" not "Used Python."

Skills section

Use as a scannable reference, not a keyword dump. Group by category.

Job titles

If honest, align your title with industry standards (e.g., "Software Engineer" not "Code Ninja").

Common mistakes

  • White text keywords: ATS can detect this. It's an instant rejection.
  • Irrelevant keywords: Adding skills you don't have backfires in interviews.
  • Ignoring context: "Python" in a skills section matters less than "Built Python APIs."
  • One resume for all jobs: Tailor keywords for each application.

Related guides

ATS-friendly format

Make sure your keywords can actually be parsed.

Resume summary examples

See how to integrate keywords in your opening.

ATS checker

Test your resume against keyword matching.

Resume scanner

See if your keywords land in high-attention zones.