How the check works
- 1
Extract the requirements
Copy the posting into a scratch document and mark every noun phrase in the requirements: tools, methods, certifications, domains, metrics.
- 2
Group them by type
Split into hard skills (tools, systems), domain terms (industry, function) and soft/process terms (Agile, stakeholder management). Hard skills matter most.
- 3
Place them where they count
Title line and summary first, then the skills block, then the bullets of the most relevant role. A term used inside an accomplishment beats a term in a list.
- 4
Verify with a score
Run the ATS check to see which terms actually registered and which are still missing.
Rules that keep it honest
- Only claim what you can discuss in an interview
- Write the full term and the acronym once: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"
- Match the posting's noun form: "project management" vs "managed projects"
- Never white-text or hide keywords — recruiters and parsers both catch it
- Keep the list short: 10–15 well-placed terms beat 60 dumped ones
Where candidates lose points
- Keywords only in a footer skills block, not in any accomplishment
- Generic phrasing like "various tools" instead of the tool names
- Job titles that do not resemble the target title at all
- No numbers, so nothing distinguishes you from a duplicate profile
FAQ
How many keywords should I use?
Aim to cover the posting's top 10–15 requirement terms naturally. Beyond that you lose readability without gaining score.
Do synonyms count?
Sometimes, but not reliably. If the posting says Workday, write Workday — do not rely on "HRIS" being treated as equivalent.
Is a skills section enough?
No. Keywords carry more weight when they appear inside dated experience bullets, because that shows context and recency.
Check your resume in 30 seconds
Upload your resume, paste the job posting, read your score. The full report is a one-time 1.99.
Start the ATS check