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Optimize your keywords

Analyze your resume for keyword density and discover missing keywords that could boost your ATS score.

Drop your resume here

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or paste text manually

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Adding a job description helps identify matching and missing keywords.

Or start from an example:

Keyword Analysis

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Your keywords will appear here — what you already have, and what the job asks for.

In the editor

Missing keywords are only useful once they are placed.

The editor shows where each one belongs and rewrites the line around it.

  • A score that updates as you edit

    Six categories, re-scored every time you change a line, each finding with a fix you can accept or ignore.

    Resume score

  • Rewrite lines in place

    Select any bullet in your resume and enhance it against the job you are applying for, without retyping the rest.

    Tailor to a job

  • Check any posting from the job page

    Scan a job against your resume without leaving the tab, then save it to the tracker.

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On this page

How to Scan Your Resume for Keywords

  1. 01

    Upload or Paste Your Resume

    Upload your resume PDF or paste the text directly into the scanner.

  2. 02

    Add the Job Description

    Paste the job posting you want to apply for. The AI will analyze every requirement.

  3. 03

    Get Your ATS Score & Fixes

    See your match percentage, missing keywords ranked by importance, and exactly where to add them in your resume.

  4. 04

    Download Your Report

    Export your keyword analysis as PDF to reference while optimizing your resume.

Tips for Keyword Optimization

  • Match exact phrases from the job description—'project management' is different from 'managing projects' to ATS.
  • Include both acronyms AND full terms (e.g., 'SEO' and 'Search Engine Optimization').
  • Add keywords naturally in your experience bullets, not just a skills list.
  • Scan your resume against 3-5 similar job postings to find common keywords in your target role.

Free Resume Keyword Scanner: Check Your ATS Score Instantly

Why Keywords Matter

ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) don't "reject" resumes—they rank and organize applications so recruiters can search and filter. If your resume doesn't contain the keywords recruiters search for, you won't show up in their results. Our scanner helps you find what's missing.

How to Scan Your Resume for Keywords

Scanning your resume for keywords takes about a minute with our free tool:

  1. 1

    Upload or Paste Your Resume

    Drop your PDF/DOCX file or paste your resume text directly. We'll extract your skills, experience, and qualifications.

  2. 2

    Add the Job Description

    Copy the full job posting you're targeting. The tool analyzes the requirements, skills, and qualifications they're looking for.

  3. 3

    Review Your Keyword Report

    See which keywords from the job description appear in your resume, which ones are missing, and suggestions for where to add them naturally.

How ATS Keyword Matching Really Works

Forget the myths. ATS software like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever does three things:

  1. Parses your resume into structured data (name, jobs, skills, dates)
  2. Stores it in a searchable database for recruiters to query
  3. Ranks candidates based on keyword matches and filters

When a recruiter searches for "Project Manager Agile JIRA," your resume needs those exact terms to appear in results. If you wrote "PM" and "Sprint Planning" and "Task Tracking," you might not show up, even though you're qualified.

What Makes a Good ATS Score?

A "good" ATS score typically means 70-85%+ keyword match with the job description. But here's what matters more:

  1. 1

    Hard Skills Match (Most Important)

    Technical skills, tools, and certifications the job requires. These are binary: you have **Python** experience or you don't. You hold a **PMP certification** or you don't.

  2. 2

    Role-Specific Terms

    Industry language like 'B2B sales,' 'SaaS,' 'cross-functional teams,' or 'stakeholder management.' These signal you speak their language.

  3. 3

    Soft Skills (Tie-Breakers)

    Leadership, communication, collaboration. These rarely filter you out, but they can help when recruiters compare similar candidates.

Will Keyword Stuffing Hurt My Resume?

Yes. Modern ATS systems and recruiters can detect keyword manipulation. Here's what to avoid:

  • Listing keywords in white text or tiny fonts
  • Repeating the same skill 10 times
  • Adding a "Keywords" section with random terms
  • Copy-pasting the entire job description

These tactics might pass the ATS, but the recruiter who actually reads your resume will reject you immediately.

The Real Risk of Stuffing

ATS gets you into the database. A human decides whether to call you. Stuffed resumes look desperate and untrustworthy. Some companies even blacklist applicants who try to game the system.

How to Add Keywords the Right Way

The key is contextual placement. Keywords should appear as natural parts of your accomplishments.

Keyword StuffingContextual Keywords
Skills: Agile, Scrum, Leadership, Sales, Marketing, SEO, Analytics.Led **Agile** transformation across **Sales** and **Marketing** teams, improving campaign **SEO** performance by 40%.
Photoshop. Illustrator. Figma. InDesign. Design. Creative.Created 50+ campaign assets in **Adobe Photoshop** and **Illustrator**, reducing design turnaround time by 2 days.
Project management project manager managing projects.**Managed** a $2M product launch **project** coordinating 4 cross-functional teams.

Mirror the Job Description's Language

If the job posting says "Customer Success," don't write "Client Support." They mean the same thing to you, but the recruiter searching "Customer Success" won't find your resume.

Common mismatches to fix:

  • "PM" vs "Project Manager" (use both: "Project Manager (PM)")
  • "React.js" vs "ReactJS" vs "React" (match their spelling)
  • "SEO" alone vs "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" (spell it out once)

Where to Place Keywords for Maximum Impact

  1. 1

    Professional Summary

    Include 3-5 of the most important hard skills from the job posting. This section gets scanned first.

  2. 2

    Work Experience Bullets

    Weave keywords into accomplishment statements. 'Implemented **Salesforce** CRM' beats 'Implemented new CRM software.'

  3. 3

    Skills Section

    List exact tool names and technical skills. But only include skills you can actually discuss in an interview.

Before You Apply

  • Scanned my resume against this specific job description
  • Included the top 3-5 hard skills in my summary
  • Used exact tool names (Salesforce, not 'CRM software')
  • Spelled out acronyms at least once (Search Engine Optimization (SEO))
  • Matched their spelling and terminology exactly
  • Every keyword appears in context, not just listed

The Bottom Line

ATS isn't a black box trying to reject you. It's a search engine. Your job is to be findable when recruiters search for candidates like you.

Scan your resume against the job description. Find the gaps. Fill them with real examples from your experience. That's how you improve your chances without gaming the system.

Related Tools

  • Skills Finder - Extract skills from job descriptions to know what keywords to target
  • Bullet Point Generator - Write achievement-focused bullets that naturally include keywords
  • Job Matcher - Compare your full resume against a job description

Frequently Asked Questions

A resume keyword scanner is an AI tool that compares your resume against a job description to find missing keywords. ATS systems reject 75% of resumes before a human sees them—our scanner shows exactly which keywords you need to add.

Upload your resume (or paste the text), add the job description you're targeting, and click 'Scan'. In under 60 seconds, you'll see your match score, missing keywords, and specific suggestions to improve your ATS compatibility.

Yes, 100% free. No signup, no credit card, no hidden fees. Scan unlimited resumes against unlimited job descriptions. We make money from Pro users who want additional AI features.

75%+ is strong and likely to pass ATS screening. 60-74% is okay but needs improvement. Below 60% means you're missing critical keywords and should optimize before applying.

No—it will hurt you. ATS systems detect keyword stuffing and flag it. Our scanner suggests natural ways to incorporate keywords into your experience and skills sections.

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