Top 500 Resume Keywords for 2025
Top 500 Resume Keywords for 2025
In 2025, getting your resume past an applicant tracking system is still the first battle. Most companies — including 90% of Fortune 500 firms — use ATS software to scan, filter, and rank applicants before a human ever reads a single line. The right keywords are what get you through that gate. Below is a comprehensive list of the hard skills and terms that show up most frequently in real job descriptions, drawn from Jobscan’s database.
What Are Resume Keywords?
Job listings include the hard skills and competencies an applicant needs in order to be a great hire. These abilities become keywords used by recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify top candidates whether they’re skimming with their eyes or using software to filter applicants based on the resume keywords.
“The first thing I’m looking for is the hard skills that match the job description,” a technical recruiter told Jobscan.
Recruiters don’t carefully read resumes line by line. They take a cursory glance and only dig deeper if past job titles or resume keywords pique their interest. Having the right keywords is even more critical when technology enters the mix. Most companies (including 90% of Fortune 500) use software known as applicant tracking systems that can scan the content of a resume to make it searchable. Some systems even automatically filter and rank applicants. Learn more about how applicant tracking systems work so you can optimize more effectively. This means that a highly qualified applicant could slip through the cracks or get wrongly rejected if their resume isn’t optimized with the right keywords. Start by optimizing your resume with the right keywords and structure.
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Top 500 Resume Keywords for 2025
Below is a list of the hard skills and keywords that appear most frequently in Jobscan’s database of real job descriptions. These are the top resume keywords recruiters and hiring managers are looking for when vetting applicants.
These examples demonstrate the types of keywords to include in your resume. To boost your chances of getting past an applicant tracking system and landing a job interview, be sure to tailor your resume keywords to the specific job for which you’re applying.
This list of keywords includes variations of the same words and phrases, for example, Microsoft Office (124), MS Office (137), and Microsoft Office Suite (324). This isn’t a mistake. The levels of sophistication vary between applicant tracking systems, but most cannot differentiate between synonyms, abbreviations, or similar skills. Rank higher in the applicant tracking system or a recruiter’s search results by matching your resume keywords to exactly what’s in the job description.
- design
- operations
- technical
- training
- sales
- marketing
- reporting
- compliance
- strategy
- research
- analytical
- engineering
- policies
- budget
- finance
- project management
- health
- customer service
- documentation
- content
- presentation
- brand
- presentations
- safety
- certification
- accounting
- regulations
- metrics
- legal
- engagement
- database
- analytics
- distribution
- coaching
- testing
- vendors
- consulting
- writing
- contracts
- inventory
- retail
- healthcare
- regulatory
- scheduling
- construction
- logistics
- mobile
- C (programming language)
- correspondence
- controls
- human resources
- specifications
- recruitment
- procurement
- partnership
- partnerships
- management experience
- negotiation
- hardware
- programming
- agile
- forecasting
- advertising
- business development
- audit
- architecture
- supply chain
- governance
- staffing
- continuous improvement
- product development
- networking
- recruiting
- product management
- CRM
- SAP
- troubleshooting
- computer science
- budgeting
- electrical
- customer experience
- I-DEAS
- economics
- information technology
- transportation
- social media
- automation
- lifecycle
- filing
- modeling
- investigation
- SQL
- editing
- purchasing
- KPIs
- hospital
- forecasts
- acquisition
- expenses
- billing
- change management
- video
- invoices
- administrative support
- payments
- lean
- process improvement
- installation
- risk management
- transactions
- investigations
- payroll
- R (programming language)
- data analysis
- statistics
- coding
- protocols
- program management
- quality assurance
- windows
- banking
- outbound
- sourcing
- Microsoft Office
- merchandising
- business requirements
- drawings
- Salesforce
- documenting
- information systems
- nursing
- business administration
- consumers
- financial services
- legislation
- strategic planning
- MS Office
- counseling
- technical support
- frameworks
- performance management
- BI
- fashion
- HTML
- publications
- internship
- QA
- software development
- oracle
- Java
- teaching
- pharmaceutical
- ERP
- fulfillment
- positioning
- tax
- service delivery
- investigate
- editorial
- account management
- business process
- valid drivers license
- electronics
- PR
- public relations
- Javascript
- assembly
- digital marketing
- Linux
- spreadsheets
- recruit
- proposal
- SharePoint
- data entry
- hotel
- ordering
- branding
- life cycle
- real estate
- relationship management
- researching
- process improvements
- chemistry
- SaaS
- CAD
- sales experience
- mathematics
- customer-facing
- audio
- project management skills
- six sigma
- hospitality
- mechanical engineering
- auditing
- employee relations
- android
- security clearance
- licensing
- Adobe
- fundraising
- repairs
- ISO
- market research
- warehouse
- business strategy
- PMP
- data management
- quality control
- reconciliation
- CSS
- conversion
- business analysis
- financial analysis
- ecommerce
- business intelligence
- C++
- client service
- publishing
- supervising
- complex projects
- key performance indicators
- scrum
- Photoshop
- sports
- e-commerce
- journalism
- D (programming language)
- data collection
- higher education
- marketing programs
- financial management
- business plans
- user experience
- client relationships
- cloud
- analytical skills
- Cisco
- internal stakeholders
- product marketing
- regulatory requirements
- ITIL
- information security
- aviation
- supply chain management
- Python
- accounts payable
- industry experience
- AutoCAD
- purchase orders
- acquisitions
- TV
- instrumentation
- strategic direction
- law enforcement
- call center
- experiments
- technical skills
- human resource
- business cases
- build relationships
- invoicing
- support services
- marketing strategy
- operating systems
- biology
- start-up
- electrical engineering
- workflows
- routing
- non-profit
- marketing plans
- due diligence
- business management
- iPhone
- algorithms
- architectures
- reconcile
- dynamic environment
- external partners
- asset management
- Microsoft Word
- EMEA
- intranet
- SOPs
- SAS
- digital media
- prospecting
- financial reporting
- project delivery
- SEO
- operational excellence
- standard operating procedures
- C#
- technical knowledge
- on-call
- talent management
- stakeholder management
- tablets
- CMS
- analyze data
- financial statements
- Microsoft Office Suite
- fitness
- case management
- value proposition
- industry trends
- RFP
- broadcast
- portfolio management
- fabrication
- UX
- financial performance
- customer requirements
- psychology
- marketing materials
- resource management
- physics
- mortgage
- development activities
- end user
- business planning
- root cause
- analysis
- leadership development
- relationship building
- SDLC
- on-boarding
- quality standards
- regulatory compliance
- AWS
- KPI
- status reports
- product line
- drafting
- JIRA
- phone calls
- product knowledge
- business stakeholders
- technical issues
- admissions
- supervisory experience
- usability
- pharmacy
- commissioning
- project plan
- MS Excel
- FDA
- test plans
- variances
- UI
- financing
- travel arrangements
- internal customers
- medical device
- counsel
- inventory management
- performance metrics
- lighting
- outsourcing
- InDesign
- performance improvement
- management consulting
- graphic design
- transport
- information management
- .NET
- startup
- matrix
- front-end
- project planning
- business systems
- accounts receivable
- public health
- HRIS
- German
- instructional design
- in-store
- data center
- MATLAB
- employee engagement
- cost effective
- sales management
- API
- Adobe Creative Suite
- program development
- event planning
- cash flow
- strategic plans
- root cause
- vendor management
- trade shows
- hotels
- segmentation
- contract management
- GIS
- talent acquisition
- photography
- internal communications
- client services
- IBM
- financial reports
- product quality
- beverage
- strong analytical skills
- underwriting
- CPR
- mining
- sales goals
- chemicals
- deposits
- scripting
- migration
- software engineering
- MIS
- therapeutic
- general ledger
- Tableau
- MS Project
- standardization
- retention
- spelling
- media relations
- OS
- daily operations
- immigration
- product design
- ETL
- field sales
- driving record
- PeopleSoft
- benchmark
- quality management
- APIs
- test cases
- internal controls
- telecom
- business issues
- research projects
- data quality
- strategic initiatives
- office software
- CFA
- co-op
- big data
- journal entries
- VMware
- help desk
- statistical analysis
- datasets
- alliances
- SolidWorks
- prototype
- LAN
- SCI
- budget management
- Unix
- RFPs
- Flex
- GAAP
- experimental
- CPG
- information system
- customer facing
- process development
- web services
- international
- travel
- revenue growth
- software development life cycle
- operations management
- computer applications
- risk assessments
- sales operations
- raw materials
- internal audit
- physical security
- SQL server
- affiliate
- computer software
- manage projects
- business continuity
- litigation
- IT infrastructure
- cost reduction
- small business
- annual budget
- iOS
- HTML5
- real-time
- consulting experience
- circuits
- machine learning
- risk assessment
- DNS
- cross-functional team
- public policy
- analyzing data
- consulting services
BONUS: Top 50 Soft Skills for Executive Job Seekers
Many of the hard skills above are also found on executive job descriptions, such as operations, business development, finance, and strategy. At the executive level, a greater emphasis is placed on the soft skills that are developed and proven over the course of a career. Below are the top soft skills found in current C-suite job descriptions.
These soft skills are harder to define and can be difficult to use on a resume. Executives should sprinkle some of these top soft skills into their resume where applicable but might use them to greater effect when writing their LinkedIn profile. On a resume, it’s more important to provide measurable results and experience that illustrates these highly coveted skills.
For example, you don’t necessarily need to match the job description by including the term entrepreneurial (7) on your resume, but you should absolutely highlight any work you’ve done with startups. Alternatively, include details of a pet project you nurtured, a department you grew, or relevant training you completed.
- Leadership
- Vision
- Track Record
- Collaborate
- Communication Skills
- Competitive
- Entrepreneurial
- Integrity
- Hands-on
- Innovation
- Consistent
- Driven
- Flexible
- Impact
- Collaboration
- Collaborative
- Judgment
- Passion
- Accountable
- Dedicated
- Influence
- Work Ethic
- Creative
- Energetic
- Enthusiastic
- Interpersonal Skills
- Passionate
- Professionalism
- Proven Track Record
- Motivate
- Proactive
- Excellent Communication
- Mentoring
- Organized
- Problem-solving
- Strategic Thinking
- Collaboratively
- Communicate Effectively
- Fast-paced
- Attention To Detail
- Business Acumen
- Cost-effective
- Enthusiasm
- Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Financial Planning
- Follow Through
- Leadership Experience
- Motivated
- Multitask
- Provide Guidance
Ready for the next step? Once your resume passes the ATS, make sure you’re equally prepared for the interview itself.
Joshua Waldman wrote Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies after being laid off twice in six months (2008–2009). He’s changed careers five times and learned firsthand that technology is the job seeker’s biggest advantage. At CareerEnlightenment he shares what actually works.
