How to Use CV Keywords and Boost Your Chances of Success

You can craft a perfect CV and still get rejected before anyone reads it.

If you spend hours tailoring your application to the job description, but miss the right CV keywords, you've wasted your time. Both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and busy recruiters look for these terms first. Think of them like the gatekeepers to job opportunities, and the keywords allow you to open the gate.

Choosing the right keywords takes a bit of insider knowledge. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what you need to know to select the best options. We will share how to find the best CV keywords for your industry, how to include them, and why they matter.

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First up, let’s talk about what CV keywords are and why you should care about them.

What are CV keywords, and why do they matter?

CV keywords are industry-specific terms (such as skills, qualifications, and job titles). These are the main words, or terms, that are relevant to the role for which you’re applying. There are two main reasons you should select and use keywords throughout your CV.

The ATS factor

Applicant tracking systems are types of software that review incoming CVs before recruiters look at them. The software often works by ranking how well each CV meets the criteria of the role or giving them a score. It does this by searching for select keywords in the document itself.

To write an ATS-friendly CV, you need to make sure you use the right keywords. Weaving them into the body of your CV means you’ll rank higher in the system or, indeed, have a higher score. The higher your rank, the more likely it is that your CV will be reviewed by a human recruiter before they run out of time or close the role.

The human factor

Of course, not all companies rely on ATS software. However, human recruiters often operate similarly to a machine: they skim rather than read. With limited time to review applications, they scan the page for specific terms that match the job description.

Strategically placing these industry terms acts as a visual shortcut, proving you meet the criteria at a glance. Whether it’s a bot or a person reviewing your application, speaking their language immediately signals that you’re the right fit for the role.

Now you understand why CV keywords matter, let’s talk about how to find them according to your industry.

How to find the right keywords for your CV

Before you include keywords in your CV, you need to pinpoint the best ones. Your first port of call should be the job description.

Here’s a rundown of how you can leverage it to find keywords:

Step 1: Read the job description line by line.

Start by taking a close look at the job description. Rather than simply skimming the core criteria, make sure you’re checking out each line of text.

Let’s take a look at an example for a web developer role:

Step 2: Pick out the hard skills

Look for hard skills, which are also known as technical skills. These can be qualifications, certifications, or specific software mentioned in the listing. Crucially, you must actually possess these skills or be able to prove them.

If the recruiter has mentioned them by name, including them in your CV is a fast way to get ahead of the crowd. It also shows you read the job description closely.

Here’s an example of keywords found in the job description above:

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• JavaScript framework (React, Vue, or Angular)
• Git
• Web accessibility standards (WCAG)

While these are the main CV keywords, you may consider including secondary terms like “web performance optimisation” or “optimising sites for speed” in the body copy of your next CV.

Step 3: Next, select the soft skills

Next, keep your eyes peeled for specific soft skills from the job description. These are the non-technical attributes that determine how you work and interact with others. While they may not be mentioned directly, they’re often hinted at. Use your best judgment to discern what the recruiter is looking for.

For instance, in the above example, the job description lists:

• Communicating with third parties and stakeholders
• Leading a small team of web developers

Based on this, you can safely say the recruiter is looking for someone with strong communication and leadership skills. By including these in your CV, you will instantly enhance your chances.

Step 4: Include the keywords in your CV

When you have a list of CV keywords from the job advert and description, you can use them in your CV. In the industry, we call this tailoring your CV to a job description. Later in this guide, we’ll talk about how to naturally pepper them throughout the document.

How to use AI to find CV keywords

While you can do the legwork yourself, you can also use the power of AI to supercharge this process. Tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and the like can help you analyse the job description. Choose whichever you’re the most confident with and then upload the job description.

Use the following prompt to ask your chosen AI to analyse the description:

Here’s what the tool might return if we used the job ad above:

• HTML5 / CSS3 / JavaScript: The foundational languages explicitly requested
• React, Vue, or Angular: You must include at least one of these specific frameworks; do not just write "Frameworks”
• Git / Version Control: Essential for the workflow mentioned
• Responsive Design / Mobile-First: A core criterion for the user experience
• Web Performance Optimisation: Mentioned in both responsibilities and criteria
• WCAG / Web Accessibility: Specific technical standard mentioned
• SEO

As for soft skills, these are critical for the "fit" score, particularly because this role involves leadership and stakeholder management.

For example:

• Leadership / Team Management: The JD mentions "Leading a small team," which bumps this role up from a standard developer to a senior/lead position.
• Collaboration: Specifically with "design and marketing teams".
• Stakeholder Management: Communicating with third parties.

Depending on the AI system you use, you may get supplementary directions. In our case, the AI picked up on leadership. Even though the job title is just "Web Developer," the responsibility "Leading a small team" is a major keyword. If a candidate leaves this out, they might be ranked as a Junior/Mid-level developer rather than the Senior lead the company actually needs.

The AI response highlights that you shouldn't just list "Modern Frameworks," but specifically name React, Vue, or Angular to match the Boolean search strings recruiters use.

The best keywords to use on a CV in 2026

Of course, you need to tailor your keywords to the role at hand. However, there are some in-demand keywords you need to know about.

Let’s take a look at some that are certain to be popular in 2026.

Hard skills & certifications

Hard skills are a non-negotiable for ATS systems, as they’re usually programmed to search for them. For some jobs, certifications may be used as a knock-out filter. That means if they’re not on your CV, the ATS may automatically reject your application.

Check out some of the best options:

• Data analysis. Including Excel, SQL, Python, R, Tableau, and Power BI.
• Programming languages. Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP
• Project management. Frameworks like Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Kanban.
• Digital marketing. Certificates in Google Analytics, SEO/SEM, Google Ads, and HubSpot.
• Design software. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, and InDesign.
• Financial software, such as QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, and Bloomberg Terminal.
• Cloud platforms. Use of AWS, Azure or Google Cloud Platforms.
• CRM systems. These may include Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho.
• Foreign languages. Always state your proficiency level (e.g., Spanish - Fluent).

Name-checking software and certificates is a smart move. Both the recruiter and the ATS will be looking for the exact names of software, such as QuickBooks. Being vague about it by putting something like “Financial software proficiency” is not the way to go. Specificity always wins.

Soft skills

Soft skills can set you apart from the competition, showing that you’re about more than just ticking boxes. But which ones are the most popular in 2026?

Let’s take a look at some of your options:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Teamwork / Collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability / Flexibility
• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Organisation
• Decision-making
• Conflict resolution
• Customer service
• Time management
• Creativity
• Work ethic
• Emotional intelligence
• Negotiation
• Presentation skills

In each case, don’t simply include the soft skill you have—give them context as well. You can list them in your skills section and elaborate on them in your work experience section.

Action verbs, or “power” words

Passive language is an absolute no-go when it comes to CVs. You need to show the recruiter that you’re in the driving seat. To do that, go through your CV and get rid of any passive terms like “was tasked with” and replace them with an action verb, such as:

• Developed
• Orchestrated
• Spearheaded
• Maximised
• Oversaw
• Negotiated
• Mentored

Using these in your CV is a fast way to catch the recruiter’s eye. You also get bonus points if the action verbs were mentioned in the original job advert, too.

How to use CV keywords effectively

When you’ve finalised the list, the next step is to include them in your application. You can’t simply stuff them anywhere and hope for the best. Instead, you need a strategy. Follow our advice to nail this part of the process.

#1 Place the keywords strategically

Choosing where to put the CV keywords is half the battle. Fortunately enough, there are plenty of places in the document where you can slide in some choice words.

Here are the main positions:

Put critical keywords in your personal profile

Your personal profile—also known as a summary—is often the first thing that recruiters read. It’s a short 3-4 line statement about your professional standing, experience, and top skills.

This is the perfect place to include your top-level CV keywords (i.e. the main keywords you identified from the job description). For example, if you highlighted “HTML” and “JavaScript”, you can weave them into this paragraph with some added context.

Check out how that may look:

This example mentions the keywords naturally, while also providing context—explaining the candidate uses these languages when “building responsive websites and web applications”.

Bullet-point keywords in the skills section

Your skills section is arguably the most critical area for the ATS. This is often the first place the software scans to calculate your match score. It's the perfect spot to list the exact keywords you identified earlier in a clear, punchy format.

However, avoid dumping a long, unorganised list. To make it readable for both the bot and the human recruiter, group your skills by category (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). And remember: while this section gets you found, you must still expand on how you used these skills in your work experience section to prove your competence.

Here’s an example of a categorised key skills section using keywords from the web developer job:

Matching your skills to those mentioned in the job description is the best strategy here. This can increase your chance of scoring well in the ATS software and catching a reader’s eye.

Give keywords context in the work experience section

Your work experience section is the ideal place to expand on any keywords you’ve mentioned. Below the main job details, you can bullet-point your achievements as sentences.

Don’t just focus on the keyword itself—focus on giving it some context. Think about how you used a certain skill, and the outcome you gained from this action. If you can add metrics—such as “improved X by 40%”—do so. These will help the reader understand how your skills offer real-world results.

Check out an example of how to weave the keywords from the web developer description into a work experience section:

These bullet points include CV keywords plus a measurable outcome. When a recruiter takes a look at this CV, they will see the direct impact of the crucial CV keywords.

#2 Get the frequency and density right

Stuffing CV keywords throughout the document makes the text look dense and illegible. It’s also obvious to the common reader. Rather than putting as many keywords into the text as possible, you need to make sure you’re weaving them throughout the text naturally.

Use keywords two or three times at natural places on your CV. Don’t include them at every chance you get. If a certain phrase is mentioned more than three times, the recruiter will pick up on it. You may find that they reject your application, based on the fact that you’ve obviously shoe-horned words into it.

#3 Vary your keywords to capture different terms

You can also use variations of prime keywords to capture any different search terms. Often, when programming an ATS system, a recruiter will include synonyms of the same term.

How keyword variation looks:

• Acronyms: Mention "Search Engine Optimisation" in your skills list, but use "SEO" in your work experience bullet points.
• Synonyms: If the job asks for "Client Management," you can also use "Account Management" or "Customer Success" later in the text to show versatility without losing the keyword value.

Take a moment to think about how else you could describe a certain CV keyword. By mixing things up, you avoid the pitfall of keyword stuffing and can build the recruiter’s trust in your application.

The main words to avoid on a CV

We’ve talked at length about the keywords you should use on your CV. But what about terms you need to avoid?

Here’s a quick reminder about the type of words that are major CV red flags.

Buzzwords & clichés

Empty terms such as “hard-worker,” “go-getter”, or “self-starter” are a waste of space. These are generic and hard to substantiate. You’re better off giving the reader concrete evidence of your skills.

You should also avoid overly inflated business terms. For example, “blue sky thinker,” “ninja,” or “guru”. These are bold claims and unlikely to land well with modern recruiters.

Arrogant words and phrases

That brings us neatly onto the next lot of words you should avoid. While your CV should toot your horn, you don’t want to come across as arrogant. Saying that you’re the “best salesperson ever,” for example, is not only impossible to prove, but also sounds big-headed.

Of course, if you’ve won awards, that’s a different story. Mentioning that you were the "Top salesperson in the region for 2024” and have the award to prove it is fair game.

Jargon

Packing your CV full of jargon is a turn-off for most recruiters. If your application sounds like a self-congratulatory LinkedIn post, you might want to rethink your tack.

Avoid business terms that people outside of the industry will not understand. These include jargon and acronyms. If your friends wouldn’t know what you’re talking about, a recruiter may not either.

Takeaway

CV keywords are essential. They show the recruiter and ATS that you have what it takes to meet the role requirements. For that reason, you need to tailor your keywords for every new application. Using a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t cut it. Start building your next CV—complete with job scope-aligned keywords—using Enhancv’s AI-powered CV Builder Tool now.