How to Find Keywords in a Job Description to Use in Your Resume
If you’ve ever felt like your resume disappears into a black hole after you hit “apply,” you’re not alone. The reality is, most companies use hiring technology that filters applications before a human ever sees them. The secret to making it through? Learning how to find keywords in a job description and weave them into your resume.
Think of keywords as the “search terms” hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for when deciding who moves forward. They’re the skills, qualifications, and experiences that matter most for the role. When you identify and use them correctly, your resume has a much better chance of getting noticed.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what keywords are, why they matter, and how you can find the right ones to land more interviews.
What Is a Keyword in a Job Description?
When you hear the word “keyword,” it might sound like a technical term, but in a job description, it’s simply the words or phrases that matter most to the employer. These are often the skills, qualifications, credentials, or job titles they’re looking for in a strong candidate.
An easy way to spot them is to imagine which words a hiring manager would highlight in bold if they wanted to make the listing stand out. Here’s an excerpt from a commercial sales manager job description:
The CSM develops and maintains profitable relationships with customers by managing the acquisition and delivery of commercial products, providing ongoing customer service, and maintaining expert knowledge of automotive parts and inventory.
If we bold the phrases that jump out, it might look like this:
The CSM develops and maintains profitable relationships with customers by managing the delivery of commercial products, providing ongoing customer service, and maintaining expert knowledge of automotive parts and inventory.
If you were applying for this job, you’d want to include words like relationship building, commercial product delivery, customer service, and automotive parts knowledge in your resume.
Just like a search engine uses keywords to decide which websites to show in results, hiring managers (and the software they use) rely on keywords to decide which applicants move forward.
Why Use Keywords From the Job Description?
Pass automated screenings
Many companies rely on applicant tracking systems to help sort resumes. These systems scan for the specific terms a hiring manager has flagged as most important. If your application doesn’t include enough of those words, it may never make it past the first screen. Using the right keywords increases the likelihood that a real person will see your resume.
Catch a hiring manager’s attention
Even when a human is reviewing applications, they may be skimming quickly. Strategic keywords act like visual anchors that signal, “This candidate checks the boxes.” A well-placed phrase that mirrors the job description can make your resume stand out in a stack of similar ones.
Show you meet the must-haves
Job descriptions often list both general qualifications and critical requirements. If one of those requirements is missing from your resume, a hiring manager could assume you don’t have it. For example, a candidate who lists “Excel” but skips “pivot tables” might be overlooked, even though they have the skill. Keywords help you match your background to the company’s exact needs.
Tailor your application
Keywords can reveal the nuances of what the company values most. Instead of settling for broad terms, you can be precise. Listing “Google Analytics” instead of just “data analysis,” or “CPR certification” instead of “healthcare training,” shows you’ve read closely and tailored your resume accordingly.
Related: How to Tailor Your Resume to Each Job Application
Prepare for interviews
Keywords don’t just help you get the interview; they can also guide your preparation for it. The phrases in a job description often hint at the themes you’ll be asked about. Practicing stories that incorporate those terms can make your answers feel directly relevant to the role.
Related: 70+ Common Interview Questions & Answers
How to Find Keywords in a Job Description
Read the job posting thoroughly
Start by reading the entire job posting, not just the highlights. Employers often tuck important details into the middle or end of a listing. Look for repeated words or phrases; they’re usually the ones that matter most.
Example: If a posting for a marketing coordinator mentions “campaign management” three times, that’s a clear keyword to include.
Highlight hard skills and certifications
Hard skills are often the backbone of job requirements, and employers usually spell them out. Certifications also fall into this category and are easy wins for keyword use.
Example: “SQL,” “Google Ads Certification,” or “CPA license” are all hard-skill keywords you’d want to feature directly.
Spot soft skills employers value
While technical expertise gets attention, employers also look for qualities that shape how you work. These soft skills can be trickier to spot, but they’re often woven into phrases like “collaborates with cross-functional teams” or “strong communication skills.”
Example: Words like “leadership,” “problem-solving,” and “adaptability” can all serve as keywords.
Look at the required experience and tools
Job descriptions frequently include required years of experience or the specific tools used in the role. Both can double as keywords.
Example: Instead of just saying “experienced in project management,” a better keyword match would be “3+ years using Asana to manage projects.”
Use online tools to extract keywords
If you want a shortcut, free tools can quickly analyze a posting for the most relevant keywords. These tools scan the description and highlight terms you might miss.
Examples:
- Resume Worded – Simple keyword analysis to see where your resume aligns.
- Career Enlightenment – Compares the posting and your resume side by side.
- Jobalytics – A Chrome extension that highlights keywords directly in the job posting.
How to Incorporate Keywords Into Your Resume
Keep it natural
Once you’ve built your keyword list, weave the terms into your resume in a way that feels authentic. They should support your experience, not overwhelm it. A good rule of thumb: if the sentence reads awkwardly, you’ve forced it.
Match the job description’s phrasing
Use the exact wording from the posting whenever possible. Subtle differences matter, especially with ATS.
Example: If the listing says “project management software,” don’t substitute “task-tracking platforms.” Stick to the precise phrase.
Place keywords strategically
Don’t limit keywords to the job duties section. They can and should appear across your resume, including your summary, skills list, education, and even volunteer work. Spreading them out shows consistency and makes them harder to miss.
Back them up with context
A keyword works best when it’s tied to results. Instead of simply listing “customer service,” write “Delivered customer service that improved client satisfaction scores by 20%.” This proves you’re not just dropping in buzzwords, but you actually have the experience.
Don’t forget your cover letter
Your cover letter is another chance to reinforce the same terms. While it might not go through an ATS, hiring managers will scan it for alignment. Keywords sprinkled naturally throughout show you’ve done your homework and understand what the company is looking for.
Related: How to Write a Cover Letter
Examples of Keywords from Real Job Descriptions
Sometimes the easiest way to understand keywords is to see them in action. Here are a few excerpts from actual job postings, alongside the keywords a candidate should pull out.
| Job Posting Excerpt | Keywords to Highlight |
|---|---|
| The Marketing Coordinator will assist in planning and executing digital campaigns, manage daily social media content, track performance using Google Analytics, and support the content team with copywriting and editing. | Digital campaigns, Social media content, Google Analytics, Copywriting, Editing |
| As a Software Engineer, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and maintain scalable applications using Python and JavaScript. Experience with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, is required. | Python, JavaScript, AWS, Scalable applications, Cross-functional teams |
| The Registered Nurse provides direct patient care in a hospital setting, administers medications, monitors patient progress, and documents information in electronic health records. A current RN license is required. | Patient care, Administer medications, Monitor patient progress, Electronic health records (EHR), RN license |
| The Sales Manager is responsible for building and maintaining client relationships, developing strategies to meet revenue goals, leading a team of sales representatives, and tracking activity in CRM software. | Client relationships, Revenue goals, Team leadership, Sales strategies, CRM software |
| The Project Manager will oversee multiple projects from initiation through completion, coordinate with stakeholders, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure deliverables meet client expectations. | Project management, Stakeholder coordination, Budgets, Timelines, Deliverables |
| As a Customer Service Representative, you’ll respond to client inquiries, resolve issues promptly, document interactions in the company’s CRM system, and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. | Client inquiries, Issue resolution, CRM system, Customer satisfaction, Documentation |
This kind of side-by-side breakdown shows exactly how to identify the words that matter most. Once you know how to spot them, adding them naturally into your resume becomes much easier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Keyword stuffing. Cramming too many keywords into your resume makes it hard to read and can look artificial. Hiring managers want a natural flow, not a block of buzzwords.
- Ignoring soft skills. Focusing only on technical skills and certifications while skipping soft skills is a missed opportunity. Employers often weigh qualities like communication, teamwork, or leadership just as heavily.
- Using vague or generic terms. Phrases like “hard worker” or “team player” don’t carry the same weight as keywords pulled directly from the job description. Stick with specific, concrete terms.
- Copying keywords without context. Dropping in keywords without backing them up with real experience can backfire. Instead, tie each keyword to an accomplishment or responsibility; for example, instead of just listing “project management,” write “Led a project management team that delivered software updates ahead of schedule.”
- Overlooking variations in phrasing. If the job description says “Microsoft Excel,” don’t just write “spreadsheet tools.” Applicant tracking systems are literal and may not connect the two. Use the exact wording where it fits.
Related: The Top 9 Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Conclusion: Master Keywords, Land More Interviews
Learning how to find keywords in a job description is like unlocking a code. Once you know how to spot them and use them strategically, you can pass automated screenings, catch a hiring manager’s eye, and position yourself as the right fit for the role.
Remember, keywords indicate to employers you understand what matters most in the job. When used thoughtfully, they make your resume stronger, your interview prep sharper, and your overall application more compelling.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, working with a staffing expert can make the process even easier. At 4 Corner Resources, we help job seekers tailor their resumes, highlight the right skills, and connect with opportunities that align with their goals.
