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Job description keyword extractor
Recruiters search applicant tracking systems for the exact terms in their job post. Find them in seconds — ranked by how much they matter.
See how your résumé matches — keyword by keyword
Paste your résumé next to this job in the free ATS checker, or sign up to tailor it automatically.
Guide · 4 min read
How to use job description keywords (honestly)
How to use job keywords honestly
- Mirror the exact wording for skills you really have — “PostgreSQL”, not just “SQL databases”.
- Prove it in a bullet, not only in your skills list. A keyword next to a result carries more weight with recruiters.
- Don’t add skills you don’t have. They’ll come up in the interview.
Why keywords matter
Recruiters filter and search applicant tracking systems using the words from their own job post. If the post says “stakeholder management” and your résumé says “worked with partners”, a search may miss you, even if you’re a great fit. Mirroring real terms makes your experience findable.
Where to put them
- Your summary: two or three of the most important terms.
- Your bullets: next to the result they helped produce. This is where keywords carry the most weight with humans.
- Your skills section: tools and technologies, using the job’s exact spelling.
Must-have vs. nice-to-have
Terms under “Requirements” or “What you’ll need” are usually screening criteria. Terms under “Nice to have” or “Bonus” rarely are. Cover every must-have you genuinely have before worrying about the extras. Then see how your full résumé matches with the ATS résumé checker.
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