ATS Keywords by Role: Practical Lists You Can Use

Keyword lists are a starting point, not a checklist.

• *Use them like this:**
• Compare the list to the job post.
• Choose the most relevant 8–15 terms.
• Add them to summary, skills, and first bullets.

For a deeper workflow, see ATS Keyword Playbook.

Aim to repeat your top 3–5 keywords two to three times across the resume: once in the summary, once in skills, and once in experience. That density reads well to ATS without feeling forced to humans.

Common ATS terms for software roles:

• Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, Go
• Frameworks: React, Next.js, Node.js, Django
• Cloud/DevOps: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD
• Concepts: REST APIs, microservices, unit testing, Agile

Use the terms that match your stack and the job post.

Example bullet: * Implemented REST APIs in Node.js and reduced response time by 28% with Redis caching.

For PM roles, ATS looks for:

• Roadmapping, backlog, prioritization
• User research, discovery, MVP
• KPI tracking, retention, conversion
• Stakeholder management
• A/B testing, experimentation

Add metrics like retention %, ARR, or activation rate.

Other useful PM terms: PRD, user stories, OKRs, go‑to‑market, and experiment design. A strong bullet connects the term to an outcome, for example: Defined OKRs and increased activation by 12% after onboarding improvements.

Marketing roles often require:

• SEO, SEM, paid media, PPC
• Google Analytics, GA4, Tag Manager
• CAC, LTV, ROAS
• Email automation, HubSpot, Salesforce
• Content strategy, funnels

Mirror the exact platform names from the post.

If the role is performance‑focused, mention Meta Ads, Google Ads, or TikTok Ads by name. For content roles, emphasize editorial planning, content ops, and distribution. Example: Improved email open rate by 18% using segmentation in HubSpot.

Data roles typically include:

• SQL, Excel, Python, R
• Tableau, Power BI, Looker
• ETL, data cleaning, dashboards
• A/B testing, cohort analysis
• Metrics like churn, retention, ARPU

Make sure your projects mention these tools.

Add analytics terms if relevant: data modeling, dbt, regression, hypothesis testing, and cohort analysis. Example: Built a retention dashboard in Looker and reduced churn by 6% through cohort insights.

Finance ATS terms include:

• GAAP, IFRS, SOX
• FP&A, budgeting, forecasting
• P&L, variance analysis
• QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle
• Audit, reconciliation

Use any certifications (CPA, CMA) early in the summary.

Other common terms: financial modeling, month‑end close, cash flow, and variance reporting. Example: Forecasted quarterly revenue within 3% accuracy and improved budget planning.

HR roles often require:

• Talent acquisition, onboarding, retention
• HRIS, Workday, BambooHR
• Employee relations, compliance
• DEI initiatives
• Performance management

Add metrics such as time‑to‑hire or retention rate.

If the role mentions HR analytics or compliance, include terms like policy design, employee engagement, and performance reviews. Example: Reduced time‑to‑hire from 42 to 28 days by streamlining screening.

Place your most important keywords here:

• Summary: 3–5 core terms
• Skills section: 8–15 items
• First two bullets in your most relevant job

This structure improves ATS parsing and recruiter scanning.

Keep the wording natural and avoid repeating the same term more than needed. If a keyword fits only once, use it once and focus on measurable outcomes.

Quick audit: highlight tools and skills in the job post, then check they appear once in your summary or skills and once in experience. Remove any terms you cannot prove with real work.

Common ATS terms for sales roles:

• Prospecting, pipeline, quota, close rate
• CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot
• ARR, MRR, ACV, renewals
• Territory management, outbound, inbound

Include metrics like quota attainment, win rate, and average deal size.

Example: Exceeded quota by 18% by improving outbound sequences and discovery.

Design roles often require:

• User research, wireframes, prototypes
• Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD
• Design systems, accessibility, usability testing
• Information architecture, user flows

Show impact with metrics like task success rate, conversion, or time‑on‑task improvements.

Example: Conducted usability tests that increased task success by 12%.

Customer success and support roles focus on:

• Onboarding, adoption, retention
• Churn reduction, NPS, CSAT
• Support tickets, escalations, SLAs
• Playbooks, QBRs, account health

Add outcomes like renewal rate, time‑to‑resolution, or expansion revenue.

Example: Improved renewal rate by 6% through QBR playbooks and health scoring.