Keywords are how ATS maps your experience to job requirements. The goal isn’t to stuff terms—it’s to reflect the skills and outcomes you truly possess using the language employers use. This guide gives you a simple process and a worksheet you can reuse for every application.
Step 1: Collect job descriptions
Gather 5–10 job posts for your target role. Copy the requirements and responsibilities sections into a single document. Highlight exact phrases that repeat (e.g., “TypeScript”, “Terraform”, “SOC 2”).
Step 2: Build your keyword map
- Core skills: languages, frameworks, platforms
- Domain terms: payments, healthcare, logistics, growth
- Tools: GitHub Actions, Datadog, BigQuery
- Practices: TDD, SRE, threat modeling, A/B testing
Step 3: Place keywords naturally
Use keywords in your summary (2–3), skills section (10–15 grouped by category), and experience bullets where you achieved relevant outcomes. Keep phrasing authentic—recruiters spot keyword walls instantly.
Step 4: Validate
Paste your resume into a plain‑text editor and scan for the target terms. Use an ATS checker to preview how the parser extracts skills and titles. If important terms are missing, revise bullets instead of adding separate lists.
Example: Frontend Engineer
Summary: Frontend engineer focused on accessible React applications with measurable performance wins. Skills: React, TypeScript, Next.js, Vitest, Web Vitals, Tailwind CSS, GraphQL, Vercel, Playwright. Bullet: “Reduced LCP by 35% by optimizing image delivery and implementing route‑level code splitting in Next.js.”