Top Resume Keywords Canadian Employers Look For

Resume keywords may be a frustrating consideration in today’s job applications, but understanding them can help you find a job in Canada.

Heading into 2026, Canadian employers are dealing with a flood of applications. Part of that is the tight job market. Part of it is the AI era, where it’s easier than ever to generate a clean-looking resume in five minutes. So – employers are doing what employers always do when they’re overwhelmed: they’re filtering.

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to store and search resumes, and a lot of Canadian employers now use generative AI in their screening process too. This is why keywords matter. Your resume needs to get past the filter. And once it does, a human still needs to understand your fit in about ten seconds.

Keywords help you in both places.

Why keywords matter

ATS and AI screening tools aren’t “reading” your resume like a person. They’re searching for signals. They scan through your job titles, certifications, and experience in search of language that matches the job posting. Then, if your resume makes it past the filter, a recruiter or manager opens it and does the same thing, just with some human judgement. If they don’t see immediately that you fit the position, they move onto the next resume in the pile.

So – yes, keywords matter. You have to make it easy for the system and the person to understand you.

The truth about “top keywords” (it’s kind of a trick question)

Here’s the part that people don’t like hearing: there is no universal list of magic keywords that belongs on every Canadian resume. A strong resume is a personalized resume, tailored to the job you’re applying for. That’s what Canadian employers expect. And in a competitive market, it’s one of the biggest differentiators.

Pro tip: it is better to send three strong, tailored applications than twenty generic ones. Generic resumes get ignored in favour of personalized resumes that clearly demonstrate a fit for the role.

Also, your resume still needs to feel human. We are drowning in AI-generated “perfect” resumes that feel like they lack any semblance of personality. If your resume sounds like some ChatGPT slop, it’s gonna be tossed out.

How to tailor your resume for the right keywords

Start by reading the job posting slowly. Look for repeated phrases, required skills, responsibilities, and definitions of success.

Then mirror that language in your resume, especially in your job titles, skills, and bullet points. Don’t just copy and paste the posting. That looks lazy! And don’t lie. If you don’t have a skill, don’t claim it. But – if you do have it, name it directly.

Then proofread for smoothness and edit for personality. This is where your resume can stop sounding like a robot and starts sounding like a real person. It’s a delicate balance, but you have to find a way to sound human while also maintaining your professionalism. For more details, check out our guide on how to write a targeted job application.

A real example: pulling keywords from a job posting

Let’s use a real posting to show how this works. Here’s a segment from a real job posting I found on Indeed (I won’t name the company – that’s not important here):

Description:

An exciting opportunity awaits you to join a fast-growing Artificial Intelligence company. We’re looking for a seasoned Senior Software Engineer to join our team, focusing on designing, developing, and maintaining scalable backend systems. The ideal candidate will have expertise in Python, microservices architecture, and experience in cloud technologies.

What you will do:

– Design and develop high-performance backend systems using Python and microservices architecture

– Implement REST-based APIs for seamless communication between services

– Work with cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) to ensure scalability and reliability

– Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize project requirements

If you scan that, the keyword categories jump out:

• Hard-skill and tool keywords: Python, microservices, REST APIs, AWS, GCP, Azure, backend systems, and cloud technologies.

Those are the “must be visible” terms. If you have this experience and those words never appear on your resume, you’re making it harder for the ATS and the recruiter to connect the dots.

But there’s a second layer too.

• Behaviour and collaboration keywords: collaboration, cross-functionality, scalability, reliability.

This posting isn’t looking for someone who can just code. It’s looking for someone who can work across teams, understand requirements, and build systems that don’t fall over under pressure. So instead of writing a generic bullet like “Worked on backend features,” you might write something like:

“Managed a team of five software engineers who designed scalable backend services using Python and microservices, including REST APIs, deployed in a cloud environment.”

Same experience, but a clearer match.

Where keywords should go

Most people hide their best keywords in a vague “Skills” section and call it a day. Be sure to put keywords in the places recruiters and ATS tools pay attention to most:

• your headline or summary
• your skills section
• your job titles (when they make sense)
• and, most importantly, your bullet points

And – remember to always back up your claims with results and achievements. This is another way to make your resume stand out.

So are there any “generic” resume keywords in Canada?

Not universal keywords. But there are common qualities Canadian employers tend to value across industries: adaptability, independence, collaboration, problem-solving skills, creativity, communication, and more. But you shouldn’t simply include these on your resume as keywords. Instead, use them in evidence-based examples that show your achievements.

• Instead of “collaborative,” you show it: “Partnered with cross-functional teams to launch a new feature.”
• Instead of “adaptable,” you show it: “Learned a new patient records software and trained other nurses on its use.”
• Instead of “initiative,” you show it: “Designed and implemented a new training system for junior software developers.”

If you want a deeper read on how Canadians employers expect these traits at work, check out our guide on soft skills in the Canadian workplace.

If you want to get hired, the reality is that keywords matter. In a jobs market where employers are filtering more aggressively and AI screening is becoming normal, you want your resume to be easy to understand and easy to match.

But – keywords cannot be your only consideration. You have to write an application that hits keywords while also communicating your experience, skills, and personality. Oh – and one that sounds human – something that’s harder and harder in today’s world.

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