Should I use exact keyword matches from the JD?

Yes — exact matches score highest in most ATS engines. Use the same word the JD uses (e.g., 'managed' vs 'led'). Use one variation throughout for consistency.

Free Tool

ATS Keyword Extractor

Paste any job description below and we'll extract the top keywords and phrases that an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is most likely to match against. Use these to optimize your resume content for a specific role.

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How to use these keywords

Place high-weight keywords in your job titles. A bullet-list of skills matters less than putting "Senior Financial Analyst — FP&A & M&A Integration" as your job title.
Use them in your professional summary. Lead with 3–5 of the highest-weight keywords in your top 2 lines.
Spell out acronyms. If you see "FP&A" — write it as "Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)" once in your resume.
Don't stuff. 2-3 mentions per keyword is plenty. Repeating the same word 10 times triggers spam-detection in modern ATS engines.
Match the exact phrasing. If the JD says "stakeholder management" — use that exact phrase, not "stakeholder relations."

Frequently asked questions

How do ATS systems use keywords to score resumes?

ATS systems extract keywords from a job description and score each resume by how many of those keywords appear. Frequency, position, and exact matches all influence the score.

How many keywords should I include in my resume?

Aim to include 60-80% of the high-priority keywords from the job description, placed naturally in your work experience and skills sections. Keyword stuffing is counterproductive.

Should I use exact keyword matches from the job description?

Yes. Exact matches score highest in most ATS engines, so use the same word the posting uses (for example, "managed" rather than "led") and keep one variation throughout.