Include these keywords in your CV to pass Applicant Tracking Systems and increase your chances of getting seen by recruiters.
Design
Which keywords should a UX Designer CV include?
Use the exact words from the job advert first: applicant tracking systems match terms, not meanings. For UX Designer roles the essential ones are the core skills in the advert. Put them in your profile, skills list and experience bullets, written as they appear in the advert, and only where they are true for you, in an ATS-friendly CV template.
Weave keywords into your achievement statements rather than listing them separately.
2
Match the Job Description
Use the exact phrasing from the job posting when it matches your experience.
3
Include Variations
Use both acronyms and full terms: "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)"
4
Prioritise Relevance
Only include keywords that genuinely reflect your skills and experience.
UX Designer CV FAQs
Figma is now the industry standard, so prioritise it. Also include Sketch, Adobe XD, and prototyping tools like InVision or Principle. Mention "design systems" and "component libraries" if you have experience.
Yes, research skills are crucial. Include "user research", "usability testing", "A/B testing", "user interviews", "personas", "journey mapping", and "heuristic evaluation".
Include "WCAG", "accessibility", "inclusive design", "screen reader", and "a11y". Accessibility knowledge is increasingly required and these keywords show you consider all users.
Include both unless the role is specifically one or the other. UX keywords focus on research and strategy; UI keywords include "visual design", "typography", "colour theory", and "interaction design".