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Resume Keywords by Job Title

Applicant tracking systems rank resumes by how well their wording matches the job description. These guides list the hard skills, tools, soft skills and credentials that keep appearing in US and Canadian postings for ten common roles, explain where to put them, and show example bullets — with notes where the two countries differ.

Choose your role

Software EngineerPython, Java, React, Node.js… Data AnalystSQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau… Registered Nursepatient assessment, medication administration, Med-Surg, ICU… Project ManagerAgile, Scrum, project planning, scope management… Marketing Managermarketing strategy, go-to-market (GTM), SEO, SEM… Accountantgeneral ledger, month-end close, US GAAP, IFRS… Customer Service Representativephone support, live chat, order processing, returns and exchanges… Sales Representativeprospecting, lead qualification, pipeline management, sales quota… Business Analystrequirements gathering, requirements elicitation, process mapping, current-state / future-state analysis… Product Managerproduct strategy, product vision, user research, customer interviews…

How to use these keyword lists

Each list is a map of the vocabulary used in a field, not a checklist to copy. Start from the job description you are applying to, find the matching terms in the guide, and keep only the ones that describe work you have actually done. Then place them where they carry weight: in your summary, inside experience bullets, and in a short skills section.

Every guide also covers the certifications that matter for the role and the differences between US and Canadian resumes — for example nursing licensure (NCLEX-RN with a state license vs provincial college registration) or the two meanings of CPA in accounting.

Three rules that apply to every role

Mirror the posting's exact wording

If the posting says "Microsoft Power BI" or "Med-Surg", use that spelling at least once. Some ATS match only exact strings.

Prove keywords in context

A keyword inside a bullet that explains what you did with it counts more — for the software and the recruiter — than the same word in a list.

Never add skills you do not have

Keyword stuffing and invisible text are spotted by recruiters and do not help with modern ATS ranking. Missing a skill is better addressed in the interview than discovered after it.

Check your resume against a real your job

Keyword lists are a starting point. The job you are applying to is the real test: paste its description and see which keywords your resume is missing.

Paste a real job description into the free ATS resume checker Tailor your resume to this job

Looking for openings? Browse the job feed. Want to learn the vocabulary of hiring itself? See the job search glossary.