The most important keywords come directly from the job posting — not from generic lists. Proceed as follows: highlight all skills, tools, and qualifications that appear multiple times or prominently in the listing. These are your mandatory keywords. Then add synonyms and related terms (ESCO taxonomy Q014 shows alternative job titles). LinkedIn Skills on the Rise 2025 lists the most sought-after skills by category. A common mistake: only entering keywords in the 'Skills' section — ATS weights keywords higher when they appear in the context of work experience. Objection per AGG Section 1: CVs optimised purely for keywords can lead to unfair screening results — use keywords authentically and only if you actually possess the competency.
Sources & Data
Want to know how well your CV matches your target role?
Should I tailor my CV individually for each position?
Why should I avoid table layouts in my CV?
What does ATS-optimised mean and do I need to pay attention to it?
What is the difference between ATS and human screening?
What is an ATS and why is it important for my application?