Career · ATS Keywords
Resume Keyword Matcher
Check your resume against any job description — see matched and missing keywords, which ones are required, a match score, and a resume health check. Free, no signup.
- Match Score
- Required vs Preferred
- Missing Keywords
- Resume Health
- Use Your CV
- Saved Results
Resume Keyword Matcher
See which keywords from a job description are on your resume — and which are missing
0 words · saved in this browser · never sent anywhere else
What's New in the Resume Keyword Matcher (2026 Upgrade)
Smarter keyword detection
Recognizes real skills and tools (e.g., “Power BI”, “stakeholder management”), not just repeated words.
Required vs preferred
Follows the job ad's Requirements and Nice-to-have sections.
Variants & abbreviations
Matches plurals and common pairs like JS/JavaScript and SEO.
Use your LinkedinForge CV
Pick a CV version from the CV Generator in one click.
Resume health check
Headings, contact details, length, verbs, numbers, clichés.
Filter the table
All, missing, or required terms — with type and level.
Saved results
Keep scores for every job you check.
Autosave
Your resume and job ad stay put — synced when signed in.
Honest scoring
Clearly an overlap estimate — no fake ATS guarantees.
The Matcher at a Glance
- Top terms analyzed per job ad
- 40
- Levels: required, preferred, mentioned
- 3
- Resume health checks
- 10
- Strong match (our guide)
- 75%+
- Click to use your CV
- 1
- Saved results
- 20
- Signups
- 0
- Unlimited checks
- Free
How to Use the Resume Keyword Matcher
- 01
Paste your resume and the job ad
Paste your resume text — or pick a CV from the CV Generator — and the full job description. Add the job title and company if you like.
- 02
Check your match
See your score, which key terms are on your resume, which are missing, and which the job lists as required.
- 03
Close the real gaps
Add terms that are true for you into your skills and bullets, fix health-check issues, and check again.
How to Pass ATS Resume Screening
Many employers use applicant tracking systems to collect and search applications, and recruiters often search by the words in the job description. The same resume can match one posting well and another poorly — so tailor each time.
- 01
Mirror the posting's exact language
If the job says “project management”, write “project management” — not just “managing projects” — where it's accurate.
- 02
Use standard section headings
Work Experience, Education, Skills — so people and parsers can find your information.
- 03
Include acronyms and full terms
The first time, write both: “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”.
- 04
Tailor for every application
Run each new job description through the matcher and close the biggest real gaps.
- 05
Track what works
Log every application in the Job Tracker and note which CV version you sent.
Log every application in the Job Tracker and note which CV version you sent.
How the Match Score Works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Find terms | Recognized skills and tools, plus phrases repeated in the job ad |
| 2. Tag levels | Required (Requirements / must), preferred (Nice to have / bonus), or mentioned |
| 3. Weight | More weight for repeated, recognized, and required terms |
| 4. Match | Checks your resume, including plurals and common abbreviations |
| 5. Score | Weighted share of the top terms found on your resume |
75%+
Strong match — polish and apply.
50–74%
Good start — close required gaps that are true for you.
Under 50%
Tailor this resume before applying — or check whether the role fits.
Where to Add Missing Keywords
Skills section
Tools, software, methods, certifications — use the job's exact names.
Experience bullets
Show the term in action: “Built Tableau dashboards…”, “Led stakeholder workshops…”.
Headline & summary
Use the job title (if accurate) and 2–3 of the most important terms.
6 Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Pasting a block of keywords
Work real terms into real bullets.
Adding skills you don't have
Only add what you can talk about in an interview.
Ignoring required terms
Close required gaps first.
Only using abbreviations
Spell it out once, with the acronym.
One resume for every job
Tailor a version per role.
Chasing 100%
Aim for strong and honest, not perfect.
Who Should Use the Resume Keyword Matcher?
Active job seekers
Check every application before you send it.
Graduates
Learn the language employers use.
Career changers
Spot the terms your new field expects.
Experienced professionals
Tailor quickly for senior roles.
Career coaches
A quick, transparent check for clients.
Freelancers
Match proposals to client briefs.
Tutorials & Guides
Pro Tips
Check the role, not just the resume
A low score can mean the job isn't a fit — that's useful too.
Start with required terms
They matter most to the employer.
Keep a master skills list
Copy the true ones into each tailored version.
Re-check after edits
A quick second run confirms you closed the gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ATS and why do keywords matter?
An ATS (applicant tracking system) is software many employers use to collect, organize, and search job applications. Recruiters often search or filter candidates using words from the job description, so a resume that uses the same accurate terms is easier to find and easier for a person to match to the role.
How does the match score work?
The tool finds the key terms in the job description — recognized skills and tools, plus repeated phrases — and weights them by how often they appear and whether they sit under a Requirements or Nice-to-have heading. It then checks which appear on your resume (including common variants like plurals and abbreviations) and shows the weighted coverage as a percentage.
What's a good match score?
Roughly: 75%+ is a strong match, 50–74% is a good start with gaps to close, and under 50% means the resume needs tailoring for this role. It's an overlap estimate, not a pass/fail result — every ATS and recruiter is different.
What do “required” and “preferred” mean?
If a term appears under a heading like Requirements, Qualifications, or “What you'll need”, or in a sentence with “must” or “required”, it's marked required. Terms under “Nice to have”, “Preferred”, or “Bonus” are marked preferred. Focus on required terms first.
Is my resume uploaded anywhere?
Your resume and the job description are saved in your browser so you don't lose them. If you're signed in to LinkedinForge, they're also saved to your own account. They aren't shared with anyone or sent anywhere else.
Should I just paste the missing keywords into my resume?
No. Recruiters notice keyword stuffing, and you'll be asked about anything you list. Add a missing term only if it's true — put hard skills in your Skills section and in the bullet where you used them, and prove soft skills through results.
Can I use my CV from the CV Generator?
Yes. If you've built a CV with the LinkedinForge CV Generator, choose it from “Use my CV from the CV Generator” and its text fills in automatically.
What does the resume health check look at?
Standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills), email and phone, word count, how many achievement lines start with action verbs and include numbers, weak openers like “Responsible for”, and common clichés.
Does this work for LinkedIn profiles too?
Yes. Recruiters also search LinkedIn with job-description keywords, so pasting your About and Experience text shows which terms your profile is missing. Pair it with the Keyword Optimizer for LinkedIn-specific advice.
Should I include both acronyms and full terms?
Where it's natural, yes — for example “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”. The matcher recognizes many common pairs, but different systems handle abbreviations differently.
Can I save my results?
Yes — click Save result to keep a list of jobs and scores, so you can compare roles and see which versions of your CV fit best.
Is this tool free?
Yes — completely free, with no signup and no limits.
Match Your Resume to the Job
Scroll up, paste your resume and the job ad, and see exactly which real keywords to add. It's 100% free.