From job description to resume: how to extract the keywords that will make your resume pass the ATS

Many people send the same resume to multiple job postings without personalization. The job description is a valuable source of terms that recruiters and ATS systems look for. In this article, we'll show you step by step how to 'read' the job posting and extract keywords that you should insert into your resume.

Read carefully and underline recurring terms

Read the job description at least twice. Mark terms that repeat ('responsibilities', 'requirements', 'qualifications'). Pay special attention to the first items, as they usually indicate priority.

Examples: 'project management', 'SQL', 'leadership', 'communication'
Use markers or colors to highlight important terms

Identify keyword categories

Keywords can be grouped into different categories to facilitate their organization and strategic use.

Use acronyms exactly as they appear (e.g., 'CRM', 'SQL Server')
Keep capital letters when applicable

Hard skills / technical skills

Python, digital marketing, ERP

Soft skills / behavioral

communication, leadership, resilience

Tools and certifications

Photoshop, AWS, PMP

Action verbs

develop, implement, coordinate

Create a 'keyword map' of the job posting

Make a separate list with the job posting keywords (20 to 30 terms). Organize by priority (required / desirable). Identify which ones you already master, to insert into your resume with credibility.

Avoid 'keyword stuffing'

Simply placing words without context doesn't work; the resume must remain natural and readable by humans. Use each keyword in a relevant part of the resume (summary, experience, skills). Be careful with irrelevant terms: only use what you really know or have done.

Avoid repeating the same word multiple times without context
The resume needs to make sense for humans too
Don't include skills you don't have

Update according to new versions of the posting

If the same job posting is posted with different versions, repeat the process. When applying to different positions (same title), redo the mapping – there may be different details.

How Score CV automates keyword extraction

While manually extracting keywords is valuable for understanding the process, Score CV automates this entire workflow for you. Here's how it helps:

Conclusion

Extracting the right keywords from each job posting is crucial for ATS success. While you can do this manually, Score CV automates the process and ensures you don't miss critical terms. Remember: your resume should be customized for each position you apply for, highlighting the specific skills and experiences that match that particular job's requirements. Use Score CV to quickly analyze any job posting and get instant feedback on how to optimize your resume for that specific opportunity.