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ATS Keywords for Recent Graduate Resumes

Without years of professional experience, a new-grad resume has to work harder on framing — coursework, projects, and internships need to read as evidence of real capability, not just academic checkboxes.

Hard Skills

Relevant CourseworkAcademic/Capstone ProjectsInternship ExperienceResearch ExperienceTechnical Skills (field-specific)

Soft Skills

AdaptabilityFast Learning CurveTeam Collaboration (Group Projects)Time Management

Tools & Certifications

Field-relevant Software/PlatformsRelevant Certifications Earned During SchoolMicrosoft Office/Google Workspace

How to use these keywords

Lead with a strong capstone or internship project, framed with real outcomes, not just "completed coursework in X."
List relevant coursework by name only if directly applicable to the target role — a long generic course list adds no signal.
Put education above experience while it's your strongest asset, then flip the order once you have 1-2 years of real work history.

See recommended resume templates for Recent Graduate

Curated templates that pair well with this role's keyword profile.

Frequently asked questions

Should I list my GPA?

Include it if 3.5+ and you're within 2-3 years of graduation; omit it otherwise and let projects and experience speak instead.

How do I fill a one-page resume with limited experience?

Expand on 2-3 strong projects/internships in real depth rather than padding with a long list of shallow bullet points.

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