<< Back to blog
October 22, 2025

Top resume keywords for machine learning in (2025)

FirstResume Research Team
Career research team

Machine learning resume keywords: What keywords to put in your resume (The 2025 ATS Checklist) 

Let's talk about the machine learning job market.

You might be brilliant at building models, but if you send out a generic resume, it dies instantly. It’s not the hiring manager who throws it away; it’s a computer program called the ATS (Applicant Tracking System).

The ATS is a gatekeeper. It simply scans your resume format for specific keywords from the job description. If those keywords are missing, your application fails the test.

To land a high salary ML job, your resume must be perfectly optimized. Here is your simple, 3 step checklist to put the right words in the right places and beat the system.

Categorize your keywords by experience level

The keywords you use must match the job level you are applying for. A fresh grad needs to focus on fundamentals; a senior needs to focus on impact and leadership.

Junior/entry level ML keywords

If you are new to the field, focus on foundational skills, libraries, and common tools from your projects and education:

Programming: Python, SQL, R, Bash.

Libraries: Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib.

Algorithms: Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Decision Trees.

Foundations: Data Preprocessing, Data Cleaning, and Data Visualization.

Tools: Jupyter Notebooks, Git, TensorFlow (Basic).

Senior/Expert ML Keywords

If you have 5+ years of experience, focus on advanced techniques, MLOps, and strategy:

Advanced Models: Deep Learning, Neural Networks (CNN/RNN), Reinforcement Learning, Generative AI.

Specialization: Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Time Series Analysis.

Cloud/Deployment: MLOps, AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, GCP Vertex AI, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD.

Big Data: Apache Spark, Hadoop, Data Lake.

Place keywords strategically (Don't just list them)

It's not enough to list the words; you must use them to tell your story.

Your summary 

Start strong. Use your target job title and 3-4 top skills in your resume summary.

"Senior Machine Learning Engineer specializing in Deep Learning and NLP solutions. Proven success deploying scalable models to production environments using Python, TensorFlow, and AWS."

Your experience bullets    

This is the most important section. Always show a quantified result using the keyword.

Weak (Only a Task): "Used Python to build a churn prediction model."

Strong (With keywords + result): "Developed a classification model using PyTorch that predicted customer churn with 92% accuracy, leading to $1.2M in retained revenue."

Match the job description exactly (The ATS rule)

This is the ultimate rule of resume optimization for ATS. The ATS is not smart; it only looks for exact matches.

If the job post says "Data scientist," you must write "Data Scientist." If you write "Data Science," the machine might miss it. This tiny detail is the difference between getting an interview and getting filtered out.

The quick ATS check

Read the job post and highlight the 5 most repeated technical skills.

Search your resume for those exact terms.

If you can't find them, you need to quickly tailor your resume for that specific application.

This simple act of tailoring is what separates the people throwing out a generic free resume from the candidates who get called back. Forget trying to make a beautiful resume templates free online; focus on the keywords first. 

Final word on your First resume

Manually tailoring your resume for every job is hard work. Why not use AI to beat the ATS?

Stop wasting time searching for the best resume builder free tool or tweaking your cover letter format.

The fastest way to ensure your document passes the ATS and lands on a recruiter's desk is with FirstResume.ai. It's the AI CV maker that scans the job post, extracts the exact keywords you need, and helps you strategically place them. It is the ATS Resume Builder designed to guarantee your document gets seen. Get your competitive edge today!

Get updates and career content

Subscribe to our newsletter

We frequently write blogs that help our community with their career growth! Don't miss out!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Talk to us directly

Join us on Discord

Discord is where we give updates, offer member exclusive giveaways, and help each other grow on our careers.

How it works?

Perfect applications in one click.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 1:
Create a profile

Create your profile by uploading an existing resume or create one from scratch using our resume builder.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 2:
Find a job post

Start searching for jobs anywhere you want and paste the job description in the box in FirstResume.

A popular meme image featuring the Marvel character Thanos with the caption “A small price to pay for salvation,” commonly used to humorously express acceptance of a minor sacrifice for a greater benefit.

Step 3:
One click .. and done

One click, and we will track your job with AI, analyse your compatibility, create your perfect resume and more, ready to apply.

That's it! Give it a go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need tailored job applications? Isn't one general resume enough?

Tailored job applications are crucial in today's competitive job market for several reasons:

1. Stand out from the crowd: Generic resumes often get lost in the sea of applications.

2. A tailored resume highlights your most relevant skills and experiences for each specific job.

3. Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS to screen resumes. Tailored applications that include job-specific keywords are more likely to pass these initial screenings.

4. Show genuine interest: Customizing your application demonstrates that you've taken the time to understand the role and company, showing your enthusiasm and dedication.

5. Address specific requirements: Each job has unique requirements. Tailoring allows you to directly address how you meet these specific needs.

6. Improve relevance: By emphasizing your most pertinent qualifications for each role, you make it easier for hiring managers to see why you're a great fit.

7. Increase interview chances: Tailored applications that closely match job descriptions are more likely to impress recruiters and lead to interview invitations.

FirstResumeAI makes this crucial tailoring process quick and effortless, giving you a competitive edge in your job search without the time-consuming work of manual customization.

Is it cheating? Will my employer know?

No, using FirstResume is not cheating at all. It's a tool to help you present your true skills and experiences in the best possible light. Here's why:

1. We don't add false information: All content on your resume remains factual and based on the information you provide. We simply help you articulate your experiences more effectively.

2. It's about presentation, not fabrication: Our AI helps you highlight your relevant skills and achievements for each specific job application, much like a professional resume writer would do.

3. Tailored, not altered: We tailor your existing information to each job application, emphasizing the most relevant aspects of your background.

4. Industry-standard practice: Using tools or services to improve your resume is a common and accepted practice, similar to hiring a professional resume writer or career coach.

5. Employer perspective: Employers expect well-crafted, tailored resumes. They're interested in finding the best match for their position, and a well-presented resume helps them do that.

6. Cost-effective personalization: Unlike one-off professional editing services, we provide ongoing, job-specific tailoring at a fraction of the cost.

Remember, FirstResume is about empowering you to showcase your true potential effectively. It's a modern solution to the age-old challenge of presenting yourself confidently in a competitive job market.

Can I use FirstResume for different industries or job types?

Yes, our AI is designed to optimize your resume for various industries and job types. It adapts to the specific requirements of each job description you input.

How does FirstResumeAI ensure my resume is ATS-friendly?

Our AI optimizes your resume by using industry-standard formatting, appropriate keywords from the job description, and a clean, easy-to-read layout that ATS systems can easily parse.

Is my data secure?

Yes, we use bank-level encryption to protect your personal information and do not share it with third parties.

Can I edit the AI-generated documents?

Absolutely! You have full control to review and edit all generated content before using it.

Can I import my existing LinkedIn profile instead of uploading a resume?

LinkedIn profile import is coming soon! This feature will allow you to easily bring your professional information into FirstResumeAI. For now, you can manually input your information or upload a resume.

Can I save different versions of my resume for future use?

Yes, FirstResumeAI allows you to save multiple versions of your tailored resumes. This feature enables you to quickly access and update previously created resumes for similar job applications in the future.

Your success begins here.

Get Started NowApplication settings interface with options for configuration