Recruiters and systems search for the words employers use. Matching your wording to an advert helps people find you, as long as the words describe what you have really done.
Find the terms that matter
- Job title and the tools, skills and qualifications named more than once.
- Words in the “requirements” and “responsibilities” sections.
- Spelling and abbreviations as written (for example “Microsoft Excel” and “Excel”).
Use them honestly
- Add a term only if you have the experience. You will be asked about it.
- Put it where it belongs: in a bullet that shows how you used it, or in your skills list.
- Do not hide white text or repeat words to game a system. It reads badly to a person and can count against you.
Compare with our checker
- Open the ATS Resume Score Checker.
- Paste the job description.
- See which frequent terms are already in your resume and which are missing.
- Edit your resume to include missing terms that are true for you.
The match is a simple word comparison, not a prediction of how any employer’s system will rank you.
Common questions
How many keywords should I add?
There is no magic number. Include the important terms naturally and stop when the resume reads well.
Should I tailor my resume for every job?
A light tailoring pass, adjusting the summary and the most relevant bullets, is usually worth the time.