ATS Keywords List (2026): Top 100 Resume Keywords to Pass Scanners
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🚨 Getting rejected before the interview?
Your resume may be missing the exact ATS keywords that recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems search for.
This guide provides the complete 2026 ATS keywords list, featuring 100+ universal keywords that work across ALL industries — plus role-specific terms and a free scanner tool.
Top 10 Universal ATS Keywords (2026)
If you only add 10 keywords to your resume, make it these. They appear in over 80% of job descriptions across every industry.
| Rank | Keyword | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Every role requires working across teams. |
| 2 | Project Management | Shows you can manage tasks and timelines. |
| 3 | Data Analysis | Companies want data-driven decisions. |
| 4 | Strategic Planning | Proves you think big picture, not just execution. |
| 5 | Process Improvement | Implies you save time and money. |
| 6 | Stakeholder Management | Critical for mid-level and senior roles. |
| 7 | Budget Management | Shows financial responsibility. |
| 8 | Problem-Solving | Every job requires solving problems. |
| 9 | Leadership | Shows potential for growth and management. |
| 10 | ROI (Return on Investment) | The ultimate business metric. |
What Are ATS Keywords?
ATS keywords are the specific words and phrases that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for when filtering and ranking your resume.
ATS keywords fall into 5 categories:
- Hard Skills — Technical abilities (e.g., Financial Modeling, SQL, SEO)
- Soft Skills — Interpersonal abilities (e.g., Leadership, Communication, Teamwork)
- Tools & Software — Specific platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Excel, Figma)
- Certifications — Professional credentials (e.g., PMP, CPA, AWS Certified)
- Action Verbs — Impact words (e.g., Led, Optimized, Implemented)
How ATS Works: The system compares your resume to the job description and assigns a match score. Higher scores = more likely to be seen by a human recruiter.
If your resume doesn't include the right keywords, you're invisible — even if you're perfectly qualified.
Table of Contents
- Universal Hard Skills Keywords
- Universal Soft Skills Keywords
- Tools & Software Keywords
- Action Verbs for ATS
- Industry-Specific ATS Keywords
- ATS Keyword Placement Strategy
- Examples: How to Integrate Keywords
- FAQ
Universal Hard Skills Keywords
These technical skills appear across multiple industries and job types.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Analysis | Data Analysis, Financial Analysis, Market Research, Trend Analysis, Root Cause Analysis |
| Management | Project Management, Program Management, Operations Management, Budget Management, Time Management |
| Technical | Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, CRM Software |
| Communication | Technical Writing, Report Writing, Presentation Skills, Documentation |
| Strategy | Strategic Planning, Business Development, Process Improvement, Forecasting |
Universal Soft Skills Keywords
These interpersonal skills are essential for any role.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Team Leadership, Mentoring, Coaching, Delegation, Decision-Making |
| Collaboration | Cross-Functional Collaboration, Teamwork, Stakeholder Management, Client Relations |
| Communication | Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Active Listening, Negotiation |
| Problem-Solving | Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Troubleshooting |
| Adaptability | Flexibility, Time Management, Multitasking, Working Under Pressure, Remote Work |
Tools & Software Keywords
ATS systems heavily weight specific tool names. Include both the tool name and the skill.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Productivity | Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google Workspace, Outlook |
| Collaboration | Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Asana, Monday.com, Trello, Jira, Confluence |
| CRM | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive |
| Analytics | Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI, Looker, Excel Pivot Tables |
| Design | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator |
| Development | Python, SQL, JavaScript, Git, AWS, Azure |
Action Verbs for ATS
Start every bullet point with a strong action verb. ATS systems analyze verb quality.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Led, Directed, Managed, Oversaw, Supervised, Coordinated, Headed |
| Achievement | Achieved, Exceeded, Delivered, Generated, Secured, Increased, Boosted |
| Creation | Developed, Designed, Built, Created, Established, Launched, Implemented |
| Improvement | Optimized, Streamlined, Improved, Enhanced, Reduced, Transformed |
| Analysis | Analyzed, Evaluated, Assessed, Researched, Identified, Monitored, Tracked |
| Communication | Presented, Communicated, Collaborated, Negotiated, Persuaded, Trained |
Industry-Specific ATS Keywords
While universal keywords work everywhere, adding industry-specific terms boosts your match score.
Technology & Engineering
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Development | Agile, Scrum, CI/CD, DevOps, Cloud Computing, Microservices |
| Languages | Python, JavaScript, Java, SQL, TypeScript, C++ |
| Platforms | AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, Docker |
Finance & Accounting
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Core Skills | Financial Modeling, GAAP, Variance Analysis, Budgeting, Forecasting |
| Tools | Excel, SAP, QuickBooks, Oracle, Bloomberg |
| Compliance | Audit, Reconciliation, Tax Preparation, SOX Compliance |
Marketing & Sales
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Marketing | Go-to-Market (GTM), Content Strategy, SEO, SEM, Brand Management |
| Sales | Lead Generation, Pipeline Management, CRM, Quota Achievement |
| Analytics | Google Analytics 4, ROI, Conversion Rate, A/B Testing |
Healthcare
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Clinical | Patient Care, EHR/EMR, HIPAA Compliance, Medication Administration |
| Systems | Epic, Cerner, Triage, Clinical Documentation |
| Certifications | RN, LPN, BLS, ACLS, CPR Certified |
Human Resources
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Recruiting | Full-Cycle Recruiting, Talent Acquisition, Sourcing, Onboarding |
| Systems | Workday, BambooHR, ADP, Greenhouse, Lever |
| Compliance | FMLA, ADA, EEOC, Employee Relations |
📚 Need role-specific keywords? Browse our Complete Resume Keywords List Hub for 40+ detailed guides.
ATS Keyword Placement Strategy
Where you place keywords matters. ATS systems weight different sections.
Highest Priority (Most Weight)
- Job Title — Match the exact title when possible
- Skills Section — List 10-15 core keywords
- Summary/Objective — Include 5-7 high-value keywords
Medium Priority
- Experience Bullets — Weave keywords into achievements
- Certifications — List full names and acronyms
Lower Priority (Still Important)
- Education — Include relevant coursework or projects
- Projects Section — Use technical keywords naturally
Examples: How to Integrate Keywords
❌ Weak Example
"Worked on projects and helped the team with various tasks."
✅ Optimized Example
"Led cross-functional team of 8 through Agile sprints, delivering 3 major product features on time and 15% under budget. Managed stakeholder expectations through weekly presentations and data analysis reports."
❌ Weak Example
"Responsible for reports and data."
✅ Optimized Example
"Built automated financial reports in Excel and Power BI, reducing monthly reporting time by 40% and improving data accuracy across 5 departments."
👉 Want to instantly check if you're missing any keywords?
Try the ResumeAdapter free scan — upload your resume + job description and get an AI-powered keyword gap report.
FAQ
What are ATS keywords?
ATS keywords are the specific skills, tools, and terms that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for when ranking resumes.
How many ATS keywords should I use?
Use 15-25 keywords that match the job description. Quality matters more than quantity.
Should I include both acronyms and full terms?
Yes. Include both "Project Management Professional (PMP)" so ATS matches either version.
Where should I put ATS keywords?
Prioritize your Summary, Skills section, and Experience bullets. These carry the most weight.
Can I overdo keywords?
Yes. Keyword stuffing looks fake and can hurt you. Focus on natural, context-rich usage tied to real achievements.
How do I find which keywords I'm missing?
Use ResumeAdapter's free ATS scanner to compare your resume against any job description.
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