🎯 JobFit

The 2026 ATS Keyword Cheat Sheet

Applicant tracking systems rank resumes by keyword match. These are the terms postings in each field emphasize most — work the true-for-you ones into your Skills section and bullets, using the posting's exact wording.

Software & IT

python · javascript · sql · aws · react · docker · kubernetes · ci/cd · rest api · microservices · agile · git · linux · node.js · typescript · cloud · devops · testing · debugging · distributed systems

Data & Analytics

sql · python · data analysis · machine learning · tableau · power bi · excel · statistics · a/b testing · etl · data visualization · big data · predictive modeling · dashboards · reporting · snowflake · dbt · data pipeline

Marketing

digital marketing · seo · google analytics · google ads · content marketing · email marketing · social media · hubspot · crm · campaign management · copywriting · conversion rate optimization · marketing automation · brand management · roas · kpis

Sales

lead generation · salesforce · crm · pipeline management · prospecting · negotiation · quota · b2b · account management · business development · closing · demand generation · upselling · customer acquisition · saas · cold outreach

Finance & Accounting

financial analysis · financial modeling · forecasting · budgeting · gaap · reconciliation · month-end close · variance analysis · excel · quickbooks · sap · erp · accounts payable · accounts receivable · fp&a · financial reporting · audit

Operations & Supply Chain

supply chain · logistics · inventory management · demand planning · lean · six sigma · process improvement · erp systems · procurement · vendor management · kpis · continuous improvement · production planning · quality management · forecasting

Human Resources

talent acquisition · recruiting · onboarding · employee relations · performance management · hris · workday · compensation and benefits · employee engagement · training and development · succession planning · conflict resolution · diversity and inclusion

Healthcare

patient care · electronic health records · epic · hipaa compliance · care coordination · medical terminology · case management · clinical documentation · medication administration · icd-10 · cpt coding · quality improvement · patient safety

The 8 formatting rules ATS parsers punish

  1. Use standard section headings — Summary, Experience, Education, Skills. Creative headings ("My Journey") don't get parsed.
  2. Email and phone near the top, as plain text — never inside an image or header/footer block.
  3. Date ranges on every role (e.g. 2021 – 2024). Missing dates can drop the whole entry.
  4. Match the posting's exact wording. If they say "project management," don't only write "managed projects."
  5. Quantify. Numbers, percentages, dollar amounts — at least 3–5 measurable results.
  6. Start bullets with action verbs — Led, Built, Increased — never "Responsible for."
  7. Keep it 400–800 words. Thin resumes don't rank; bloated ones bury the signal.
  8. No tables, columns, text boxes, or graphics — many parsers read them out of order or not at all.

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