How many keywords should I include in my resume?

There is no magic number. Focus on matching the keywords that appear in the specific job description you are applying to. A tailoring tool can show you exactly which ones you are missing.

Can I just copy and paste the job description into my resume?

No. ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing. The keywords need to appear naturally within your actual experience and accomplishments.

ATS Keywords Every Veteran Should Put on Their Resume

By GetVetsHired · July 2026 · 4 min read

You could be the most qualified applicant and still get rejected. Not because of your experience. Because your resume never made it past the screening software. Here are the keywords that make the difference.

Why keywords matter more than you think

Most companies use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. The system ranks your resume based on how many keywords from the job description it finds. If your resume is missing the right words, you are invisible. For veterans, this is especially tricky. The military uses a completely different vocabulary than the civilian world. You might have managed a $5M budget and led 40 people, but if your resume says 'managed GPC program and supervised platoon operations,' the ATS does not translate that to what a civilian employer is looking for.

The core keywords every veteran resume needs

These words appear in almost every job description. They signal leadership, reliability, and operational competence. If your resume does not include most of them, you are starting at a disadvantage.

Leadership and team management. Not just 'supervised.' Use: directed, coordinated, oversaw, led cross-functional teams.
Operations and logistics. Not just 'supply.' Use: supply chain management, inventory control, resource allocation, operational planning.
Communication. Not just 'briefed.' Use: stakeholder communication, cross-departmental coordination, executive reporting.
Problem solving. Not just 'fixed issues.' Use: process improvement, root cause analysis, operational efficiency.
Compliance and safety. Use: regulatory compliance, risk management, quality assurance, safety protocols.

Military terms you should replace

Some military phrases confuse civilian employers or, worse, make them skip your resume entirely. Here is what to swap:

'Squad leader' becomes 'team supervisor' or 'shift lead.'
'NCOIC' becomes 'operations coordinator' or 'department supervisor.'
'MTOE property' becomes 'asset management' or 'equipment accountability.'
'After-action report' becomes 'performance review' or 'post-project analysis.'
'Commander's intent' becomes 'strategic objectives' or 'organizational goals.'

The fastest way to find the right keywords

Instead of guessing which keywords matter for each job, paste the job description directly into a tailoring tool. It will compare your resume to the posting, show you exactly which keywords you are missing, and rewrite your bullets to include them. You do not need to be a copywriter. You just need the right words in the right places.

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