ATS Keywords in 2025: Resume Examples That Get Past the Bots

What are ATS keywords and why they matter

If you’ve ever applied for a role online and never heard back, chances are your resume didn’t even make it to a human. That’s because most companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before recruiters see them.

ATS works by scanning for keywords, job titles, skills, certifications, and industry-specific terms. If your resume doesn’t have the right ones, it gets filtered out.

And in 2025, the filters are stricter than ever. AI-powered ATS can now cross-check phrasing, synonyms, and even context. But the principle is still the same: if you’re not speaking the language of the job description, you won’t get noticed.

For more on why your resume alone isn’t enough, see our guide on why the perfect resume doesn’t exist and what to focus on instead.

Types of ATS keywords recruiters actually look for

Not all keywords carry the same weight. Here are the main categories ATS systems prioritize:

• Job titles & roles – “Product Manager,” “Data Analyst,” “Registered Nurse.”
• Hard skills – software, tools, and certifications: “SQL,” “CPA,” “Google Ads.”
• Soft skills – increasingly scanned when listed in postings: “collaboration,” “leadership.”
• Industry-specific buzzwords – each field has its own. For example, “pipeline optimization” in sales, “EHR” in healthcare.

When building your resume, think of these categories as buckets to fill, each should appear in your experience section in natural context.

Top ATS resume keywords in 2025 (by industry)

Here’s a breakdown of high-value terms that show up in job postings across industries:

Tech (Software, Data, Product)

• Python, SQL, JavaScript
• API Integration, Cloud Computing, AWS
• Agile, Scrum, Jira
• Machine Learning, Data Visualization

Marketing & Communications

• SEO, SEM, PPC
• Content Strategy, Copywriting
• Google Analytics, HubSpot, CRM
• Brand Positioning, Social Campaigns

Finance & Consulting

• Financial Modeling, Forecasting
• M&A, Due Diligence
• Risk Analysis, Compliance
• Excel (Advanced), Tableau

Healthcare

• EHR (Epic, Cerner), Patient Care
• HIPAA Compliance
• Treatment Planning, Diagnostics
• Care Coordination, Clinical Trials

Remote-First Roles

• Asynchronous Communication
• Slack, Zoom, Notion
• Self-Management, Cross-Time-Zone Collaboration
• Virtual Team Leadership

Keyword	Example Bullet with Metric
Python	Built automated reporting pipeline in Python, cutting monthly reporting time by 30%
SQL	Optimized SQL queries, reducing database response time by 25%
Agile / Jira	Led Agile sprints with Jira, improving delivery speed by 20%
SEO	Launched SEO strategy that boosted organic traffic by 40% in 6 months
Google Ads	Managed $50K/month Google Ads campaigns, increasing qualified leads by 45%
Financial Modeling	Built financial model identifying $2M in savings, improving forecast accuracy by 15%
Compliance	Implemented new compliance checks, reducing audit issues by 30%
Patient Care (EHR)	Introduced EHR workflows, cutting patient intake time by 20%
Clinical Trials	Coordinated trial documentation, improving reporting accuracy by 25%
Remote Collaboration	Managed async projects across 3 time zones, keeping 95% on-time delivery

How to use ATS keywords the right way

The biggest mistake candidates make is keyword stuffing, copying terms from the job description into a skills list with no context. ATS in 2025 is smarter than that.

Wrong:
“Project management, project manager, project management tools…”

Right:
“Led a cross-functional project using Jira and Agile methodology, improving delivery speed by 20%.”

Notice the difference? The second example uses the keyword but anchors it in an achievement. That’s what gets you noticed.

For more on converting effort into impact, check our piece on tactical job search strategies.

ATS resume examples: turning keywords into results

Here are two real-world transformations of “keyword lists” into compelling resume bullets:

• From: “Python, SQL, data analysis.”
  → To: “Built automated reporting pipeline in Python and SQL, cutting monthly reporting time by 30%.”
• From: “Marketing campaigns, SEO, Google Ads.”
  → To: “Designed and launched SEO + Google Ads campaigns, driving a 45% increase in qualified leads.”

Tip: Think of every keyword as a “seed”, then show how you turned it into a result.

Tool to test and improve your resume

Looking to strengthen your resume and boost your chances of landing interviews? A smart approach is to go beyond just writing a list of experiences and instead align your resume directly with the language employers use.

The best tool for this is HirePilot. Unlike basic checkers, HirePilot gives you everything in one place:

• Instantly identify the key skills and keywords missing from your resume.
• Transform those keywords into achievement-focused bullet points that stand out.
• Generate tailored outreach drafts to connect directly with hiring managers.

This means you’re not just optimizing for applicant tracking systems, you’re also positioning yourself for real conversations and opportunities.

Want to dive deeper into what comes after the application? Check out our full guide on Follow-up messages that actually work

Stay ahead with HirePilot, get smarter resume keywords, outreach drafts, and tracking all in one place.

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Final Thoughts

ATS isn’t going anywhere and in 2025, it’s only getting sharper. But the opportunity is this: most applicants still don’t take the time to align with keywords.

If you can integrate the right terms into your achievements, you instantly rise above the stack. And if you combine that with smart outreach, you don’t just beat the bot, you create conversations.

Want to dig deeper? Check out our related guides:

• Why the perfect resume doesn’t exist (and what to focus on instead)
  
• How to get more interviews with tactical job search strategies
  
• Follow-up messages that actually work