CV Keywords for ATS: Complete List for UK Jobs (2025)
🔑 ATS Keywords Guide
75% of CVs never reach human eyes because they lack the right keywords for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This comprehensive guide provides 500+ ATS-friendly keywords organized by industry to help your CV get past automated screening.
💡 Quick Tip
Don't just copy-paste keywords! Use them naturally in context. ATS systems check for keyword stuffing and will penalize your CV.
Universal ATS Keywords (All Industries)
Action Verbs
Soft Skills
Certifications
Industry-Specific Keywords
Technology & IT
Programming & Development:
Python, Java, JavaScript, React, Node.js, Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript, C++, C#, Ruby, PHP, Swift, Kotlin, SQL, NoSQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Git, GitHub, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, CI/CD, Agile, Scrum, DevOps, Microservices, REST API, GraphQL, Full-stack, Front-end, Back-end
Data & Analytics:
Data Analysis, Machine Learning, AI, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy, Tableau, Power BI, SQL, Python, R, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Big Data, Hadoop, Spark, ETL, Data Warehousing
Cybersecurity:
Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessment, SIEM, Firewall, Encryption, ISO 27001, GDPR Compliance, Risk Assessment, Incident Response, Network Security, Cloud Security, CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+
Marketing & Digital
Digital Marketing:
SEO, SEM, PPC, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization, A/B Testing, Landing Pages, Lead Generation, Marketing Funnel, Customer Journey
Content & Social:
Content Strategy, Copywriting, Blog Writing, Social Media Management, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook, Community Management, Influencer Marketing, Brand Voice, Editorial Calendar, Content Calendar
Analytics & Strategy:
Market Research, Competitor Analysis, Customer Segmentation, Brand Strategy, Campaign Management, ROI Analysis, KPI Tracking, Marketing Mix, Customer Acquisition Cost, Lifetime Value, Attribution Modeling
Finance & Accounting
Accounting:
Financial Reporting, GAAP, IFRS, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, Month-end Close, Year-end Close, Reconciliation, Audit, Tax Compliance, VAT, Payroll, Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, ACCA, CIMA, ACA
Financial Analysis:
Financial Modeling, Budgeting, Forecasting, Variance Analysis, P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Investment Analysis, Risk Management, Excel, VBA, Bloomberg, Capital Markets
Banking & Investment:
Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence, Valuation, DCF, LBO, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Portfolio Management, Trading, Derivatives, Fixed Income, Equity Research, CFA, FRM
Human Resources
Recruitment:
Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Sourcing, Screening, Interviewing, Onboarding, Applicant Tracking System (ATS), LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean Search, Headhunting, Executive Search, Employer Branding, Candidate Experience
HR Operations:
Employee Relations, Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, HRIS, Workday, BambooHR, Employee Engagement, Retention, Succession Planning, Organizational Development, Change Management, CIPD, SHRM
Learning & Development:
Training & Development, L&D, Coaching, Mentoring, Leadership Development, Talent Management, Skills Assessment, Learning Management System (LMS), E-learning, Workshop Facilitation
Sales & Business Development
Sales:
B2B Sales, B2C Sales, Enterprise Sales, SaaS Sales, Account Management, Key Account Management, Sales Pipeline, Lead Generation, Prospecting, Cold Calling, Negotiation, Closing, Salesforce, CRM, Sales Targets, Revenue Growth, Quota Attainment
Business Development:
Partnership Development, Strategic Partnerships, Market Expansion, New Business Development, Client Acquisition, Proposal Writing, RFP Response, Contract Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Relationship Building
Project Management
Project Planning, Project Delivery, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Budget Management, Resource Allocation, Gantt Charts, Critical Path, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Sprint Planning, Jira, Asana, Monday.com, MS Project, PRINCE2, PMP, Change Management, Quality Assurance, Project Governance
Healthcare & Nursing
Patient Care, Clinical Assessment, Medication Administration, Wound Care, Vital Signs Monitoring, Care Planning, Electronic Health Records (EHR), NHS Experience, CQC Standards, Safeguarding, Infection Control, NMC Registration, CPR, First Aid, Palliative Care, Mental Health, Dementia Care
Education & Teaching
Curriculum Development, Lesson Planning, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Assessment, Marking, Feedback, Safeguarding, SEN Support, Behavior Management, Parent Communication, OFSTED, National Curriculum, QTS, PGCE, Phonics, Literacy, Numeracy, E-learning, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams
How to Use Keywords Effectively
✅ DO: Mirror Job Description Language
If the job says "stakeholder engagement," use that exact phrase instead of "working with stakeholders."
✅ DO: Use Keywords in Context
"Managed £500K budget using SAP" is better than just listing "Budget Management, SAP" in skills section.
✅ DO: Include Acronyms AND Full Terms
"Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" covers both variations that ATS might search for.
❌ DON'T: Keyword Stuff
Don't create a "keyword dump" section or repeat keywords unnaturally. ATS systems detect this.
❌ DON'T: Use Synonyms When Job Uses Specific Terms
If job says "JavaScript," don't write "JS." Use the exact term from the job description.
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Optimize My CV Now (Free)About the Author: This guide was created by the CV Adapter team, specialists in ATS optimization for the UK job market. Our AI-powered tool has helped thousands of job seekers get past ATS systems and land interviews.