CV Keywords by Role: 200+ ATS Terms for 20 Common Jobs

Applicant Tracking Systems rank CVs largely on keyword overlap with the job description. If the recruiter searches "Salesforce" and your CV says "CRM platforms", you don't appear. Here are the keywords that consistently score highly across the most-applied-for roles in 2026 — use them as a checklist when you tailor your CV.

How to use this list

1. Open the job ad you're applying for.
2. Highlight every noun, tool, and skill repeated more than once.
3. Compare against the role list below.
4. Make sure every keyword you legitimately match appears in your CV — in your summary, your experience bullets, or your skills section. Don't keyword-stuff; use them naturally.

1. Software Engineer

Python, Java, Go, TypeScript, React, Node.js, REST, GraphQL, microservices, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Terraform, CI/CD, GitHub Actions, PostgreSQL, Redis, Kafka, unit testing, code review, agile, scrum, on-call.

2. Data Scientist

Python, SQL, R, pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, XGBoost, A/B testing, experimentation, statistical modelling, causal inference, regression, classification, clustering, MLflow, dbt, Airflow, BigQuery, Snowflake, Tableau, Looker, stakeholder management.

3. Data Engineer

SQL, Python, Spark, Kafka, Airflow, dbt, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, ETL, ELT, data modelling, dimensional modelling, data warehouse, data lake, S3, Delta Lake, Iceberg, AWS, GCP, Terraform.

4. ML / AI Engineer

PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LLM, fine-tuning, RAG, embeddings, vector database, pgvector, LangChain, LangGraph, prompt engineering, evaluation, MLOps, model serving, GPU, CUDA, distributed training, transformers.

5. Product Manager

Roadmap, prioritisation, OKRs, KPIs, user research, customer interviews, A/B testing, experimentation, go-to-market, GTM, product-market fit, pricing, Jira, Linear, Figma, stakeholder management, executive communication, cross-functional, B2B, SaaS.

6. UX / Product Designer

Figma, Sketch, prototyping, user research, usability testing, design systems, accessibility, WCAG, wireframes, journey mapping, information architecture, interaction design, design tokens, design ops, qualitative research.

7. Marketing Manager

SEO, SEM, paid social, Google Ads, Meta Ads, attribution, performance marketing, lifecycle marketing, CRM, HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce, content marketing, brand, GTM, demand generation, ABM, B2B, B2C, marketing automation.

8. Performance Marketing

Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, attribution, MMM, MTA, ROAS, CPA, LTV, CAC, conversion rate, A/B testing, GA4, Looker Studio, BigQuery, audience segmentation, creative testing, landing page optimisation.

9. Sales Executive

Quota, ARR, MRR, pipeline, prospecting, outbound, SQL, SAL, MQL, Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, Salesloft, MEDDIC, MEDDPICC, BANT, discovery, demos, negotiation, contract, closing, account management, enterprise, mid-market.

10. Customer Success

Retention, gross retention, net retention, NPS, CSAT, expansion, upsell, cross-sell, QBR, churn, onboarding, adoption, Gainsight, Salesforce, ChurnZero, Slack, Zendesk, Intercom, account management, enterprise.

11. Recruiter / Talent Acquisition

Sourcing, LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, ATS, candidate experience, employer brand, diversity, DEI, offer negotiation, intake meeting, hiring manager, full-cycle, technical recruiting, executive search.

12. HR / People

HRIS, Workday, BambooHR, Personio, performance management, compensation, benefits, employee relations, ER, employment law, GDPR, onboarding, offboarding, engagement, retention, L&D, organisational design, people analytics.

13. Finance / FP&A

FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial modelling, three-statement model, DCF, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Adaptive Planning, Anaplan, Excel, SQL, board reporting, KPI, dashboard, month-end close.

14. Accountant

Month-end close, journal entries, reconciliation, accruals, prepayments, revenue recognition, ASC 606, IFRS, UK GAAP, audit, tax, VAT, payroll, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, NetSuite, accounts payable, accounts receivable.

15. Operations Manager

P&L, KPI, SLA, OKR, process improvement, lean, six sigma, vendor management, supply chain, logistics, warehouse, inventory, ERP, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, headcount planning, hiring, performance management.

16. Project Manager

PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum Master, agile, waterfall, hybrid, RAID log, risk management, stakeholder management, budget, schedule, Gantt, Jira, MS Project, Smartsheet, Confluence, programme management, governance.

17. Healthcare / Nursing

Patient care, clinical assessment, triage, EHR, Epic, Cerner, medication administration, infection control, NMC, NHS, audit, CQUIN, sepsis, cardiac, paediatric, oncology, ICU, A&E, palliative, mentoring, charge nurse.

18. Teacher

Curriculum, lesson planning, differentiation, assessment, AfL, SEND, EHCP, safeguarding, behaviour management, parents' evening, GCSE, A Level, BTEC, EYFS, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Progress 8, Ofsted, head of year.

19. Lawyer / Solicitor

Drafting, negotiation, due diligence, M&A, corporate, commercial, litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory, compliance, GDPR, contracts, NDA, SPA, term sheet, English law, English-qualified, NQ, training contract, magic circle.

20. Architect

RIBA, Stage 1–7, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Grasshopper, BIM, planning permission, building regulations, sustainability, Passivhaus, BREEAM, residential, commercial, masterplanning, listed buildings, conservation.

A note on honesty

The fastest way to ruin your search is to list keywords you can't back up in an interview. Use this list to make sure you're using the *right wording* for the skills you actually have — not to fake skills you don't.

Pair this with the right template

A keyword-rich CV on a multi-column template still fails ATS parsing. Pair this list with a single-column ATS-friendly template for the best chance of getting through.