75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever reads them — usually because the right keywords are missing. Use this list to match your resume to what the algorithm (and hiring manager) is scanning for.
Applicant Tracking Systems parse your resume and score it against a keyword checklist extracted from the job description. A resume that scores below the threshold — typically 60–70% keyword match — is filtered out automatically. Adding the right keywords is not keyword-stuffing; it is making sure your genuine skills are expressed in the vocabulary the system recognises.
The best keywords come directly from the job description — not from generic lists. Use this three-step process before applying to any role.
💡 Pro tip: Use the exact spelling and capitalisation from the JD: "JavaScript" not "Javascript", "SQL Server" not "SQL server". ATS matching is often case-sensitive for technical terms.
Keywords for software engineer, full-stack, backend, and SDE roles at Indian tech companies and MNCs.
Keywords for data analyst, data scientist, business analyst, and ML engineer roles.
Keywords for digital marketing, performance marketing, content, and growth roles.
Keywords for CA, finance analyst, CFO office, and investment roles.
Keywords for HR generalist, talent acquisition, L&D, and HRBP roles.
These action verbs appear consistently in high-scoring resumes across all industries. Use them to open bullet points.
💡 Pro tip: Avoid passive constructions: "was responsible for" or "helped with" score lower than direct action verbs. Every bullet should start with a past-tense verb.
These terms are so generic that ATS systems and recruiters effectively ignore them. Remove them or replace with specific equivalents.
Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for a 70–80% match with the job description's key terms rather than stuffing every possible keyword. A typical ATS-optimised resume includes 15–25 role-specific keywords woven naturally into bullet points and the skills section.
Yes — a dedicated "Core Skills" or "Technical Skills" section helps ATS parse your capabilities quickly. List 10–18 hard skills as a comma-separated or grid list. Soft skills are better demonstrated in bullet points rather than listed in a skills section.
The keywords should come from each specific JD, so they will naturally vary. However, Naukri places extra weight on skills listed in the dedicated skills field and your headline. LinkedIn ATS (used by companies posting on LinkedIn) weights the Skills section and headline similarly.
CV Prime's ATS Keyword Matcher extracts the key terms from any job description and shows you which are present and missing in your resume — ranked by frequency and importance. It takes 30 seconds and is free without a signup.
Only if those skills accurately describe you. Keyword stuffing — adding terms you cannot demonstrate — will backfire in the interview. The goal is to surface genuine skills using the same vocabulary the JD uses, not to claim skills you do not have.
Paste any job description into CV Prime's ATS Keyword Matcher. It instantly shows which keywords are in your resume and which are missing — so you can add them before submitting.
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