How to Find Keywords in Job Descriptions

Did you know that 99.7% of recruiters use filters in their ATS or similar systems to find qualified candidates? Keywords connect your resume to an employer's needs and make the difference between getting noticed or being overlooked.

Applicant Tracking Systems help employers screen out candidates who lack the right skills and keywords. A Harvard Business School study revealed that 88% of employers acknowledge their hiring systems filter out qualified candidates who don't match the job description precisely. Your job search success depends on finding the right keywords in job descriptions.

This piece will show you how to identify and use the most important keywords from job postings. You'll learn to extract terms that match what recruiters filter for 76.4% filter by skills, 59.7% by education, and 55.3% by job titles. These expert techniques will help you optimize your resume and substantially increase your chances of landing interviews.

What Are Resume Keywords and Why They Matter

Resume keywords stand between your application and your dream job. Learning about them and how they work is vital to land your dream job in 2026.

Definition of resume keywords

Resume keywords are specific words or phrases that employers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use to evaluate candidates. These keywords include:

• Job titles (like Project Manager or Marketing Specialist)
• Hard skills (technical abilities and software proficiency)
• Soft skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving)
• Industry-specific terminology and jargon
• Tools, systems, and software names
• Certifications, licenses, and educational qualifications

Keywords are the language employers use to describe their perfect candidate. Your chances of getting noticed improve when your resume speaks their language.

How ATS uses keywords to filter resumes

The numbers tell the story. 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen applications. These smart tools have changed the hiring game:

1. The ATS turns your resume into plain text right after submission.
2. It looks for keywords that match the job description or recruiter's requirements.
3. Your resume gets a ranking based on keyword matches against other applicants.
4. Only resumes with enough keyword matches make it to human reviewers.

The truth? Your resume might get tossed out if it lacks the right keywords. About 70-75% of resumes never make it past the ATS.

Recruiters spend just 6-8 seconds on the first resume review. This small window makes keyword optimization a vital part of the process. Hiring managers look for specific terms that show you're qualified.

Why exact matches are important

You might think similar words would work just as well, but that's not the case. Most ATS platforms search for exact keyword matches.

Let's say a job post asks for customer support experience. Using customer assistance instead could cost you the opportunity, whatever your qualifications. ATS systems rank applications based on how often keywords appear and where they're placed.

Exact matching matters beyond the ATS. Almost all recruiters (99.7%) use keyword filters. They search using specific terms from the job description. Your chances of getting noticed go up when you use these exact terms.

Word-for-word spelling matches count too. Some ATS systems can't recognize similar words, so even small changes can hurt your chances. This isn't about being picky - it's about making sure both machines and humans see your true value.

Notwithstanding that, stuffing your resume with keywords isn't the answer. Balance is a vital part of the process. Your resume should read naturally to human reviewers.

How to Identify Keywords in Job Descriptions

Getting the right keywords from job descriptions is like finding clues on a treasure map that guides you to interview invitations. Understanding resume keywords is your first step, and learning to extract them from job postings comes next.

1. Read the job description really well

A full picture of keyword identification starts with reading the entire job posting carefully. This isn't like casual reading, you need a targeted approach. Your original review should focus on:

• The job title section (which often has role-specific terms)
• Responsibilities and daily tasks
• Required and preferred qualifications
• Company culture descriptions

The quickest way to work with the description is to copy it into a separate document. This lets you mark it up without distractions and helps you catch every vital requirement.

2. Highlight repeated terms and phrases

Words that show up multiple times in a job description are usually employer priorities. Repetition shows what's important. A posting that mentions data visualization or stakeholder management three times tells you these skills are must-haves.

Take time to count how often key terms appear in different job descriptions for similar roles. Terms that keep showing up across multiple listings are industry standards you need on your resume.

3. Look for hard and soft skills

Job descriptions have two main types of skills that need different ways to spot them:

Hard skills are measurable technical abilities you can learn. Look for:

• Software knowledge (Python, Excel, Salesforce)
• Technical expertise (SQL, SEO optimization)
• Industry methods (Agile, financial forecasting)

Soft skills matter too, even if they're less obvious. Words like team player, leadership, excellent communication, and problem-solving are common. These might not be the main ATS filters, but hiring managers will assess them once your resume passes the first screening.

4. Spot certifications and job titles

Certifications, degrees, and specific job titles are powerful keywords that show you're qualified. Look for requirements like MBA required, PMP certification, or Certified Public Accountant.

The ATS system needs exact matches. If the job asks for CompTIA Security+, writing Security Plus might cause the system to miss your application.

5. Use keyword identification tools

Finding keywords by hand works well but takes time. Several tools can speed up this process:

• Resume Worded analyzes postings quickly to find relevant keywords
• Jobalytics and Resumatch.io show which terms your resume is missing
• Word frequency tools highlight repeated terms

These tools give you quick analysis and help you catch all the important terms hiring managers want to see.

Note that keywords should flow naturally in your resume. Your goal isn't to stuff keywords everywhere but to place terms strategically that show your qualifications and match employer requirements.

Where to Use Keywords in Your Resume

The right keywords from job descriptions need strategic placement throughout your resume. Finding keywords is just the start, you need to place them where ATS systems and human recruiters look to maximize your chances of getting noticed.

Resume summary or objective

Your resume summary is prime real estate to place vital keywords. This section sits at the top of your resume and catches employers' attention first. Recruiting experts suggest your summary should:

• Match the exact job title and company name from the posting, as ATS systems scan specifically for these
• Add core experience and must-have skills early in your document
• Show keywords in context rather than isolated terms to help both ATS scanning and human readability
• Show your value by linking top keywords to your qualifications

A better approach would be to write Marketing Manager with proven expertise in developing analytical marketing strategies and managing social media campaigns instead of just saying experienced in marketing.

Skills section

The skills section gives you space to showcase technical tools, software, and industry terminology. You can optimize this section when you:

• Match 8-12 skills directly from the job posting
• Group skills into categories that are easy to scan (technical skills, industry knowledge, soft skills)
• Use the exact words from the job description since ATS systems might miss variations
• Write full terms when the job posting uses them (use Customer Relationship Management instead of CRM)

Technical certifications should stand out in this section rather than being buried in paragraphs.

Work experience bullets

Your work experience section lets you demonstrate keywords in action. You can turn simple keyword matches into powerful proof of expertise:

• Mix action verbs with keyword nouns (e.g., managed software development projects instead of was responsible for projects)
• Blend keywords naturally into accomplishment statements
• Add metrics and achievements with keywords to demonstrate measurable results
• Use the exact phrases from job descriptions

Here's a better way: Write prepared weekly Excel reports for management instead of handled reports if Excel appears in the job description.

Education and certifications

Education and certification sections give you more chances to add keywords. Employers often screen specifically for educational requirements and professional credentials:

• Write the full names of licenses, degrees, credentials, and certifications exactly as shown in the job posting
• Add the issuing organization or state
• Include the date earned and location when needed
• Show relevant skills tied to the certification

You can add significant certifications next to your name at the top of your resume (e.g., John Smith, PMP). You can also list certifications in progress by adding In Progress or Expected [date] to highlight your professional growth.

Note that keywords should flow naturally throughout your resume. The goal is to create a document that passes ATS screening but reads smoothly when it reaches human reviewers.

Best Practices for Using Resume Keywords

The art of using resume keywords goes beyond simple identification and placement. You can stand out to both ATS systems and human recruiters in 2026 by mastering these best practices.

Use keywords naturally in context

Your resume's keywords should flow organically, showing how you applied specific skills. Forcing keywords into sentences makes your resume sound artificial and puts off hiring managers. A better approach shows both application and results. To cite an instance, rather than listing Salesforce as a skill, write: Managed client accounts using Salesforce CRM, improving data accuracy by 20%.

Avoid keyword stuffing

Keyword optimization differs from keyword stuffing. The first method adds relevant terms into a readable, professional format. The second method crams in keywords excessively, which hurts readability and professionalism. Modern ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing and might flag your resume. Quality matters more than quantity spread 8-12 relevant keywords throughout your resume.

Match exact phrasing from job post

Precise terminology matters, so use the exact wording from job descriptions. ATS systems look for exact matches. The phrase customer support in your resume won't match with customer assistance in the job posting, which affects your ATS results. This rule applies to software names, methodologies, and certifications match them exactly as written.

Use action verbs with keywords

Strong action verbs paired with keywords create compelling, achievement-focused statements. Here are some examples:

• Analyzed customer data to increase retention by 15%
• Developed Python scripts for automated reporting
• Implemented agile methodology across three departments

Action verbs turn your resume from a list of duties into a showcase of achievements. They paint a clear picture of your abilities and results.

Tailor for each job application

A generic resume won't work in today's job market—customization is crucial. Generic resumes head straight to the rejection pile. Each application needs adjustments to your professional summary, skills section, and bullet points that match the job's specific requirements and keywords. ATS software looks for job-specific keywords that change between similar-looking positions.

Resume-scanning tools can help by comparing your resume against job descriptions and finding missing keywords. Some websites will scan your resume like an ATS system and show your match rate. You should aim for an 80 percent match rate.

These practices will help you create a resume that passes ATS screening and appeals to human recruiters who make the final hiring decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Resume Keywords

Candidates face a harsh reality - 70-75% of resumes get screened out due to common keyword mistakes. My experience as an ATS expert shows how qualified candidates never make it past the initial screening.

Using irrelevant or dishonest keywords

Recruiters quickly spot keywords used without context or skills listed without actual experience. This practice raises ethical concerns and hurts your credibility while making you appear desperate rather than qualified. Many candidates try to copy-paste job description phrases directly, but this makes their applications look fake and unprofessional.

Ignoring soft skills

The emerging workforce lacks crucial soft skills, according to employer feedback. Looking only at technical abilities misses what makes you truly valuable. Without doubt, your ability to communicate and work in teams shows how well you'll fit into company culture something 58% of employers value more than technical expertise.

Overusing generic buzzwords

Hiring managers tune out phrases like team player, results-oriented, or hard worker. My analysis of thousands of resumes shows these vague terms add nothing compared to specific, measurable achievements. These buzzwords meant to impress actually reveal a lack of real substance.

Not updating keywords for each job

Your chances of rejection increase when you send similar resumes to different positions. Most companies automatically reject resumes with less than 60-70% keyword match rates. The good news? Your chances of getting noticed improve significantly when you customize each application.

Keywords from job descriptions aren't just helpful they're essential to succeed in today's digital hiring world. This piece shows how keywords connect your qualifications to what employers want.

Getting keywords right will improve your chances by a lot to clear ATS filters. These systems reject 70-75% of resumes before anyone sees them. The key is to analyze job descriptions carefully. Look for repeated terms, required skills, certifications, and job titles that show what employers value most.

Your resume's summary, skills section, work experience, and education sections need strategic keyword placement. This will give both ATS systems and recruiters a quick way to spot your qualifications. Note that natural keyword usage works better than artificial stuffing. Your resume should appeal to both ATS and hiring managers.

So customizing your resume for each job might take time but brings great results. Every change brings you closer to that ideal 80% match rate. This signals a strong application to automated systems and hiring managers alike.

The ATS world might seem tough, but you now have the tools to guide through it. Many qualified candidates miss out because they didn't match the job description's language. These keyword strategies will put you among the 25-30% of applicants who clear the original screening moving you closer to landing your dream job.