Résumé keywords · Software Engineer

Software Engineer résumé keywords that get past the ATS

From 463 live software engineer postings at 27 companies that Applause reads, updated October 2026. These are the skills and tools they ask for most, so they’re what recruiters search for inside their ATS.

Most requested

  1. ai79%
  2. support73%
  3. communication62%
  4. remote57%
  5. python39%
  6. testing38%
  7. go30%
  8. leadership27%
  9. typescript26%
  10. react26%
  11. kubernetes22%
  12. aws19%
  13. rest18%
  14. java17%
  15. ruby17%
  16. sales17%
  17. javascript17%
  18. kotlin17%
  19. postgresql16%
  20. api16%
  21. product management14%
  22. ci/cd13%
  23. rails13%
  24. sql13%

Share of postings that mention each skill. Postings seen in the last 60 days.

Titles in this group: Senior Software Engineer · Staff Software Engineer · Software Engineer · Senior Backend Engineer · Software Engineer II · Backend Engineer

How to use them

Use the posting’s words

Recruiters search inside the ATS by keyword. Where the posting says “stakeholder management” and you did it, say “stakeholder management”, not “worked with partners”.

Put key skills in two places

Once in a skills block near the top, and once in a bullet that proves it. That’s how both a filter and a human find it.

Match the title, honestly

Use the job title’s words in your headline if they fit your level. Never claim a level above yours.

State your years

“Product manager with 8+ years” in the summary is read literally by filters and recruiters alike.

Only use the ones that are true for you. A keyword you can’t back up might clear the filter, then sink you in the interview.

Tailor your software engineer résumé to a real posting

Check it free against any job, or let Applause write a tailored version from your real experience.

Check my résumé free