ATS Keywords: How to Find the Right Keywords for Your CV

The right CV keywords describe requirements you can actually meet. Start with real vacancies and connect each important term to evidence from your background.

Keyword research for a job application is not the same as adding popular words to attract attention. You need the language of the role and a truthful reason for using it.

Read beyond the job title

Two “Operations Executive” roles may involve different work. One could emphasise order processing and customer coordination; another could focus on inventory and warehouse reporting. Read responsibilities, essential requirements and preferred experience separately.

Select a small group of closely related vacancies to understand recurring terms. Do not combine unrelated advertisements into one giant skills list. The actual application should still respond to the specific opening.

Sort terms into useful groups

• Tools: software, equipment and systems you have used.
• Activities: tasks such as reconciliation, scheduling or requirements gathering.
• Knowledge: relevant methods, standards or subject areas.
• Credentials: qualifications and licences, with accurate status.
• Context: industries, customers or operating environments you understand.

For each term, note where you gained the experience and what you can explain in an interview. Leave out words that sound relevant but have no evidence behind them.

Distinguish essential and optional requirements

An essential credential may determine eligibility; a preferred tool may be something the employer is willing to teach. Do not interpret every word in an advert as equally important.

If you have adjacent experience, describe it precisely. Experience with one reporting tool can demonstrate transferable analytical work, but it is not the same as professional experience with a different named tool.

Place keywords in context

A data candidate might write, “Built a Power BI dashboard from cleaned sales data to help the team compare regional performance.” That sentence identifies a tool, activity and purpose. It is more informative than listing “Power BI” several times.

Use a compact skills section for quick reference, and experience or project bullets for evidence. Include the full term and acronym together when useful, then write naturally.

Review for honesty and readability

Read the completed CV aloud. If a phrase exists only to repeat a keyword, remove or rewrite it. Ask whether you could explain every named skill through a specific task or project.

Keep your keyword worksheet alongside your master CV. It becomes a practical tailoring aid for future applications. The CV writing service can help organise this evidence, while the ATS audit tool can support an additional review.