ATS keyword guide
Software Engineer Resume Keyword Guide
A practical checklist for comparing a software engineering resume with a specific job description. It is a general guide, not any one employer’s hiring requirements.
Examples to look for in the actual job posting
- Programming languages named in the posting
- Data structures and algorithms
- Testing and code review
- Distributed systems
- Cloud or infrastructure tools
- Reliability and observability
Use the actual job description
Requirements vary by team and role. Review the posting you are applying to and prioritize only skills it names that you genuinely have.
Demonstrate keywords with evidence
A tool name in a skills list is less useful than a concise example of how you applied it in work, study, or a project.
Keep examples truthful
Do not add a technology, responsibility, or metric just because it appears in a posting. Rephrase real experience so its relevance is clear.
Example bullet structures
These are writing prompts, not ready-made achievements. Add only details that accurately describe your work.
- Built [component] in [language/tool] to solve [problem], with [verified outcome].
- Improved [service] reliability by [verified action], measured using [source].
- Collaborated with [team] to deliver [system/feature] under [real constraint].