How to Use a Job Description Keywords Finder for Your Resume

Updated September 30, 2022

Recruiters and hiring managers commonly search resumes for keywords to determine whether candidates meet the job requirements. By using a job description keyword finder, you can identify keywords to add to your resume to engage employers and get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). Understanding how to use keyword finders to optimize your resume can help you create one that distinguishes you from other candidates. In this article, we discover what a job description keywords finder is, explore how to use one, review common job description keywords, and answer a few frequently asked questions.

What is a job description keywords finder?

A job description keywords finder is a tool that scans job descriptions for keywords using bots. The keywords in a job description are words or phrases describing skills, characteristics, or qualifications. You can also use keyword searches to find terms that describe a company's work culture, job titles, or geographical location. When you're reviewing several descriptions, these software programs can help you find keywords more quickly. Keyword finders enable you to copy and paste job descriptions into the tool, which scans them and identifies the keywords. This is an effective method to increase productivity when searching through job descriptions.

How to use a job description keywords finder

Here are a few steps that can help you learn how to use a job description keywords finder:

1. Research different keyword finders

Identifying the program that best satisfies your needs is the first step in using a job description keyword finder. A wide range of free job posting keyword analyzer programs are available online. Depending on what features are important to you, the best program may be different for each individual. As an example, some keyword analysis tools analyze multiple job postings at the same time and some programs filter keywords directly into your resume.

2. Compile a list of job descriptions

The next step is to compile a list of job descriptions you want to analyze for keywords. It's important to target your resume directly for the job description. It's vital to recognize that different organizations may require unique skills and qualifications. For example, if you're applying for a position as a business manager, one company may value your teamwork skills because of its collaborative environment. A similar company hiring for the same position may place a larger emphasis on your leadership skills to lead and supervise a large group of employees.

3. Copy and paste the job descriptions

After choosing a keyword finder tool and compiling a list of job descriptions to analyze, you can copy and paste the descriptions into the tool. Most job description keyword finders permit you to copy and paste a piece of text or input a file for analysis. The keyword finder then scans the text or file for keywords and phrases that can help you better target your resume.

4. Upload your resume

A keyword finder analyzes both your resume and the job description to help you identify areas where you can make improvements. By providing several keywords found in both the job description and your resume, the software can help you identify the areas where your resume excels. Many keyword finder tools can also provide you with a score indicating how effectively your resume incorporates the relevant keywords and phrases.

5. Review the results

The next step is to review the results of the keyword finder and decide what to incorporate into your resume. For example, the job description keyword analyzer can identify keywords, such as software programs and skills that employers search for when they're considering hiring a candidate. You can examine the results and determine whether you have the skills and characteristics to add to your resume. A keyword finder may also identify keywords in the requirements or preferred experience section of the job description, which are important considerations before applying for a job.

6. Update your resume

The results can assist you in updating your resume. Various keywords may apply to different sections of your resume. For example, there may be keywords indicating education requirements, such as a bachelor's degree. Other keywords may apply to your resume's skills section, such as critical thinking or collaboration skills. Update your resume to correspond with the job description and to include all relevant ATS keywords and industry terms relating to the qualifications, position, and company.

Common job description keywords

The following is a list of common job description keywords by industry:

Education

Here are a few common job description keywords for a career in education:

verbal communication
interpersonal
program development
writing lesson plans
written communication

Tourism and hospitality

The following are keywords you may find in a tourism and hospitality job description:

flexibility
event coordination
hospitality management
multitasking
service management

Information technology (IT)

Here are a few keywords that commonly appear in an IT job description:

artificial intelligence (AI)
database management
information security
network engineering
software configuration

Marketing

Here are some common marketing job description keywords:

account management
analyzing data
API (application programming interface)
CMS (content management system)
market research

Finance and accounting

The following are a few common finance and accounting keywords:

cash flow analysis
credit management
financial planning
forecasting
profit-and-loss analysis

Human resources

The following are some common keywords in human resources:

diversity management
job task analysis
organization
performance re-engineering
administration

Law enforcement

Here are some common keywords an employer may use in a law enforcement job description:

crime analysis
crisis management
interrogation
negotiation
integrity

Job description keywords finder FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions about these keywords finders:

Why are job description keywords important?

Employing keywords can make your job search process more efficient and effective. Keywords can be a simple method to determine the main qualifications a company seeks in a candidate. It's common for companies to receive many applications for job openings, leading some recruiters to use applicant tracking software (ATS). A candidate's resume that contains strong keywords can rank higher in an applicant tracking system. Following the program's filtering of relevant keywords, hiring managers may review resumes more closely.

What are industry terms?

Industry terms, also known as industry jargon, are technical terms with unique meanings within a specific industry. They're words or phrases that are specific to a particular industry because the people working in the industry use the term frequently. For example, the business term due diligence describes a process to conduct research before making an important business decision.

How many keywords can you use on a resume?

You can significantly increase your chances of advancing through the hiring process by including multiple keywords on your resume. When you use multiple keywords, it's important to ensure you only include relevant terms to limit excessive keyword usage. For example, some keywords may appear more than once in a job description with the same meaning, such as teamwork and collaboration. Applicant tracking systems may flag your resume if you list the same skill more than once with different wording or if you list too many skills.

What are action words?

Action words, also known as action verbs, describe an action or process. The action verb describes what the subject of the sentence is doing or has accomplished. By using action verbs on your resume, you increase your chances of engaging the hiring manager's attention and distinguishing yourself from other candidates. Here are some examples of action words:

advised
compiled
coached
designed
critiqued
directed
hypothesized
illustrated
improved
established
examined
generated
guided