International student playbook

Resume Keyword Research Guide

Master the art of keyword research for your resume. Learn how to identify and incorporate the right keywords that hiring managers and ATS systems are looking for.

Key Tips & Strategies

Analyze the job description for repeated terms and phrases

Identify hard skills, soft skills, and industry-specific terms

Research the company's website and LinkedIn for common terminology

Include both acronyms and spelled-out versions of technical terms

Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments

Incorporate industry buzzwords naturally throughout your resume

Match the job title keywords in your experience section

Include relevant certifications and tools mentioned in the posting

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗

Keyword stuffing without context

✗

Using outdated or irrelevant terminology

✗

Ignoring soft skills keywords

✗

Not customizing keywords for each application

✗

Overusing buzzwords without substance

Frequently Asked Questions

How many keywords should I include in my resume?

Focus on quality over quantity. Include 10-20 highly relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume. Every keyword should be backed up with genuine experience or skills.

Where should I place keywords in my resume?

Place keywords in your skills section, work experience descriptions, summary, and achievements. The experience section is most important as it provides context for your skills.

Can I use the same keywords for every job application?

No, customize your keywords for each job application. Different companies and roles use different terminology, and ATS systems are programmed to look for specific keywords from the job posting.

Next step

Ready to tailor your CV for a grad role?

Paste a job description and generate an ATS-safe CV without AI-hallucinated fluff. Pay per CV, credits never expire.