How to use your results
- Start with the missing list. The terms are sorted by how often and how prominently the posting uses them, so the first few matter most.
- Keep only what is true. If you have used a tool or done the task, add it. If you have not, leave it out. Interviewers ask about everything on your resume.
- Use the posting's wording. Write "customer relationship management (CRM)" if the posting says it that way. Include both the acronym and the full term for certifications and software.
- Prove it in a bullet. A keyword inside an achievement carries more weight than a keyword in a list. "Cut month-end close from 8 days to 5 by automating reconciliations in Excel" beats a bare "Excel".
- Run it again. Re-check after editing. Most people can move from about 50 percent to above 75 percent with honest edits.
Where keywords belong on a resume
| Resume section | Best keywords to place there |
|---|---|
| Headline and summary | The exact job title, years of experience, two or three core skills |
| Skills section | Software, tools, technical methods, languages, certifications |
| Experience bullets | Responsibilities and results named in the posting, written as achievements |
| Education and certifications | Degrees, licenses and credentials spelled exactly as the posting lists them |
ATS-friendly formatting checklist
- Use standard section headings such as Summary, Experience, Education and Skills.
- Keep contact details in the main body, not in a header or footer.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, columns and graphics for important information. Some parsers read them out of order.
- Save as .docx or a text-based PDF unless the posting asks for a specific format.
- Spell out acronyms once, for example "Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)".
Need a clean starting point? Every resume example on JobQuix comes with a free, single-column Word template built for applicant tracking systems.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software employers use to collect, sort and search job applications. Recruiters often filter or search applicants by keywords from the job posting, so resumes that use the same terms are easier to find.
What is a good ATS keyword match score?
Aim for 70 to 80 percent of the posting's key terms, as long as each one is true for you. A perfect score is not the goal. A resume stuffed with keywords reads poorly when a person reviews it.
Does this tool store my resume?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser. Your job description and resume text are never uploaded, saved or shared.
Where should I add missing keywords?
Put hard skills and tools in your skills section, and work the most important terms into your summary and the bullet points that prove you used them. Use the exact phrasing from the posting, such as "accounts payable" rather than "paying vendors".
Do ATS systems reject resumes automatically?
Some systems use knockout questions, such as required licenses or work authorization, that screen out applicants automatically. Keyword matching more often affects how high your resume ranks when a recruiter searches, which is why matching the posting's language still matters.