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IT Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ ATS Skills to Land Interviews

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🚨 Not getting IT interviews? Your resume is missing critical keywords.

In 2026, over 97% of companies use ATS to filter IT resumes. Missing terms like "Active Directory," "Network Troubleshooting," or "ServiceNow" can instantly disqualify you—even with years of technical experience.

This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved IT keywords, organized by category, with real examples and optimization strategies.

👉 Scan Your IT Resume for Missing Keywords — Free

Table of Contents

Why IT Resume Keywords Matter in 2026

The brutal truth: IT roles require specific technical vocabulary that ATS systems scan for.

Recruiters and ATS systems scan your resume for:

  • ✅ Technical skills (Troubleshooting, Technical Support, System Administration)
  • ✅ Systems (Windows, Linux, Active Directory, Azure AD)
  • ✅ Networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, Firewall)
  • ✅ Tools (ServiceNow, Jira, SCCM, Intune, VMware)
  • ✅ Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365)
  • ✅ Certifications (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, MCSA)

60+ Essential IT Resume Keywords (2026)

💻 Core IT Skills & Keywords

CategoryKeywords
CoreInformation Technology, IT Support, Technical Support, IT Operations
Problem SolvingTroubleshooting, Root Cause Analysis, Problem Resolution, Issue Diagnosis
ServiceCustomer Service, End-User Support, User Training, Documentation
ProcessITIL, Incident Management, Change Management, Service Desk

🎧 Help Desk & Technical Support Keywords

CategoryKeywords
SupportHelp Desk, Service Desk, Technical Support, Tier 1 Support, Tier 2 Support, Tier 3 Support
TicketingServiceNow, Jira Service Management, Zendesk, Freshdesk, Remedy, Ticket Management
RemoteRemote Support, Remote Desktop, TeamViewer, Screen Sharing, VPN Support
CommunicationCustomer Service, Phone Support, Email Support, Live Chat, Escalation

🌐 Network & Infrastructure Keywords

CategoryKeywords
NetworkingNetwork Administration, LAN/WAN, Network Troubleshooting, Network Configuration
ProtocolsTCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, FTP, SMTP
HardwareRouters, Switches, Firewalls, Access Points, Cabling, Patch Panels
SecurityVPN, Firewall Configuration, Network Security, Intrusion Detection

🖥️ Systems & Administration Keywords

CategoryKeywords
WindowsWindows Server, Windows 10/11, Active Directory, Group Policy, SCCM, Intune
LinuxLinux Administration, Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL, Bash, Shell Scripting
DirectoriesActive Directory, Azure AD, LDAP, User Management, Group Management
DeploymentSystem Imaging, OS Deployment, MDT, Autopilot, Software Deployment

🔒 Security & Compliance Keywords

CategoryKeywords
SecurityCybersecurity, Information Security, Endpoint Protection, Antivirus
AccessIdentity and Access Management, MFA, SSO, Password Management
ComplianceHIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, GDPR, Compliance Audits
ToolsEndpoint Detection, SIEM, Vulnerability Scanning, Patch Management

☁️ Cloud & Virtualization Keywords

CategoryKeywords
MicrosoftMicrosoft 365, Azure, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive
AWSAWS, EC2, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, AWS Certified
VirtualizationVMware, Hyper-V, Virtual Machines, VDI, Citrix
BackupBackup & Recovery, Disaster Recovery, Data Backup, Veeam, Acronis

👉 Want to instantly check your missing keywords? Upload your resume + job description to ResumeAdapter.

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Role-Specific Keywords

IT Help Desk / Support Technician Keywords

CategoryKeywords
SupportTier 1 Support, Ticket Resolution, Phone Support, Remote Desktop
SkillsWindows, Microsoft 365, Troubleshooting, Customer Service

Network Administrator Keywords

CategoryKeywords
NetworkingNetwork Administration, Cisco, Routing, Switching, Firewall
ToolsCCNA, Network Monitoring, Wireshark, Packet Analysis

System Administrator Keywords

CategoryKeywords
SystemsWindows Server, Active Directory, Linux, Virtualization
ManagementPatch Management, Backup, Disaster Recovery, PowerShell

IT Manager Keywords

CategoryKeywords
LeadershipTeam Leadership, IT Strategy, Budget Management, Vendor Management
GovernanceITIL, IT Governance, Project Management, SLA Management

How to Integrate Keywords into Your Resume

✅ Strong Example

IT Support Specialist | ABC Corporation | 2020 - Present

  • Provided Tier 2 technical support for 500+ users, resolving hardware, software, and network issues with 95% first-call resolution rate
  • Managed Active Directory user accounts, Group Policy configurations, and Microsoft 365 administration for enterprise environment
  • Administered ServiceNow ticketing system, handling 50+ daily tickets and maintaining SLA compliance above 98%
  • Deployed and configured Windows 10/11 devices using SCCM and Intune, automating imaging for 200+ workstations
  • Implemented VPN solutions and remote desktop support for 300 remote workers during WFH transition
  • Performed network troubleshooting including DNS, DHCP, and TCP/IP connectivity issues

❌ Weak Example

  • Provided computer support to employees
  • Managed user accounts and passwords
  • Fixed hardware and software issues
  • Helped with network problems

Certification Keywords (High Value)

LevelCertifications
EntryCompTIA A+, CompTIA IT Fundamentals, Google IT Support
NetworkingCompTIA Network+, CCNA, CCNP, Juniper JNCIA
SecurityCompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP, CISM
MicrosoftMicrosoft 365 Certified, Azure Administrator, MCSA
CloudAWS Certified, Azure Certified, Google Cloud Certified

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