Free Resume Keywords Scanner & ATS Checker
Scan the job description for keywords, then check your resume — or CV — to instantly see your ATS match score, the keywords already in your resume, and a generated list of missing keywords you should add. Paste any job posting and your resume text to get results in seconds.
ATS Keyword Scanner
See exactly which keywords from the job description are in your resume and which are missing.
Instant Match Score
Get a keyword match percentage so you know how well your resume aligns with the job posting.
100% Private
All analysis happens in your browser. Your resume and job description are never sent to any server.
How the Resume Keywords Scanner Works
Three steps to scan your resume for keywords and optimize for applicant tracking systems.
Paste the Job Description
Copy the full job posting and paste it into the first text box. The scanner reads the job description for keywords — extracting skills, tools, certifications, and role-specific terms automatically.
Paste Your Resume
Copy-paste the text from your resume into the second box. No file upload needed.
See Your Results
Instantly see your keyword match score, the keywords already in your resume, and a generated list of ATS keywords you should add. Use the missing keywords list to update your resume or CV before you apply.
Check Your Resume Keywords
Why ATS Resume Keywords Matter
Over 75% of companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems scan for specific keywords from the job description — if your resume doesn't contain enough of them, it gets automatically rejected, regardless of your qualifications.
ATS keywords typically include hard skills, software tools, certifications, job titles, and industry-specific terms. Our free resume keywords checker — which works equally well for a CV — extracts these from any job description and tells you exactly which ones are in your resume or CV and which are missing.
The ideal keyword match score is 60% or higher. Below that, your resume is at risk of being filtered out. But don't keyword-stuff — ATS systems also flag unnatural keyword usage. The key is to weave relevant terms organically into your experience and skills sections.
For the best results, tailor your resume for each application. Use our checker to verify your match score, then use LoopCV to automatically apply to jobs with your optimized resume across 20+ job boards.
Common ATS Resume Keywords Questions
What are ATS resume keywords?
ATS resume keywords are specific words and phrases that applicant tracking systems look for when scanning your resume. These typically include hard skills (e.g., "Python", "project management"), certifications ("PMP", "AWS Certified"), job titles, industry terms, and software tools mentioned in the job description. Including the right keywords is essential to getting past automated filters.
How do I find the right keywords for my resume?
The best source of ATS keywords is the job description itself. Look for repeated skills, required qualifications, tools, and specific phrases. Our free resume keywords checker does this automatically — paste in the job description and your resume, and it shows you exactly which keywords you're matching and which you're missing.
What is a good ATS keyword match score?
A keyword match score of 60% or higher is generally considered good and gives your resume a strong chance of passing ATS filters. Scores between 40-60% are borderline — your resume may or may not get through. Below 40%, your resume is likely to be filtered out before a recruiter ever sees it.
What are the best ATS keywords by industry?
ATS keywords vary significantly by industry. For software engineering: Python, JavaScript, Agile, CI/CD, REST APIs. For marketing: SEO, Google Analytics, content strategy, CRM, conversion rate. For customer service: CRM software, conflict resolution, customer satisfaction, SLA. For finance: financial modeling, Excel, compliance, risk assessment. Always match keywords to the specific job description rather than using generic lists.
Can I use the same resume for every job application?
Using the same resume for every application is one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make. Each job posting uses different keywords, and ATS systems match against the specific description. Tailoring your resume for each application — or at least each type of role — can increase your keyword match score by 20-40%. Tools like LoopCV let you create multiple resume variations and automatically match the right one to each job.
How do I scan my resume for keywords?
To scan your resume for keywords: (1) Copy the full job description. (2) Paste it into the Job Description box above. (3) Copy-paste your resume text into the Resume box. (4) Click 'Scan My Resume' to instantly see which keywords resume scanners are looking for, which ones are already in your resume, and which ones are missing. The whole process takes under 60 seconds and is completely free.
What keywords do resume scanners look for?
Resume scanners (ATS systems) look for keywords that match the specific job description — not a generic list. This typically includes: hard skills and technical tools (e.g., 'Python', 'Salesforce', 'Excel'), certifications ('PMP', 'AWS Certified', 'CPA'), job titles and levels ('Senior', 'Lead', 'Manager'), industry-specific terminology, and action phrases from the responsibilities section. The exact keywords vary by role, which is why scanning your resume against each individual job posting gives you the best results.
How do I find keywords for resume scanners?
The most reliable way to find keywords for resume scanners is to extract them directly from the job description. Read through the posting and note: required skills and tools listed in the qualifications, technical terms repeated multiple times, software, platforms or certifications mentioned, and the exact job title phrasing. Our free resume keyword scanner does this automatically — paste in any job description and it extracts the important terms and checks which ones are already in your resume.
What is a resume keywords generator, and do I need one?
A resume keywords generator scans a job description and produces a list of the keywords your resume should contain — skills, tools, certifications, and role-specific terms that ATS systems look for. Our free tool works as a keyword generator: when you paste a job description, it extracts all meaningful keywords and shows you which ones are in your resume and which are missing. You get a ready-made list of ATS keywords to add, without manually reading through every line of the job posting.
Common ATS Keywords by Industry
Use these as a starting point, but always tailor your keywords to the specific job description.
Software Engineering
Marketing
Finance & Accounting
Project Management
Customer Success
Data & Analytics
Resume Keywords Checker FAQ
Have questions? Find answers below or contact us .
Is this resume keywords checker free?
Yes, our ATS resume keywords checker is 100% free. No sign-up, no email, no hidden fees. You can check as many resumes and job descriptions as you like.
Do you store my resume or personal data?
No. All keyword analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your resume text and job description are never sent to any server. When you close or refresh the page, all data is gone.
How does the keyword extraction work?
Our tool extracts meaningful keywords and phrases from the job description — including skills, tools, certifications, and industry terms — while filtering out common words. It then checks which of these keywords appear in your resume text and calculates a match percentage.
What's the difference between this and a full ATS check?
Our free tool focuses specifically on keyword matching — the most important factor in passing ATS filters. A full ATS check (like LoopCV's AI CV Checker) also analyzes formatting, structure, readability, section ordering, and provides AI-powered improvement suggestions.
How many keywords should my resume have?
There's no fixed number, but aim for a keyword match score of 60% or higher. This typically means including 15-25 relevant keywords from the job description. Focus on hard skills, technical tools, certifications, and role-specific terms rather than generic soft skills.
Should I include keywords exactly as written in the job description?
Yes, whenever possible. ATS systems often do exact-match scanning, so 'project management' and 'managed projects' may be treated differently. Use the exact phrases from the job posting, and place them naturally in context — don't just list them.
What are the most common ATS keywords for resume scanners?
The most important ATS keywords are specific to each job posting. However, commonly scanned categories include: technical skills (Python, SQL, Excel), certifications (PMP, CPA, AWS), tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, Jira), methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Six Sigma), and industry terms. Always extract keywords from the actual job description rather than using generic lists.
Can LoopCV help me optimize my resume further?
Yes. LoopCV's AI CV Checker provides a comprehensive resume analysis including ATS compatibility scoring, formatting checks, content suggestions, and keyword optimization. After optimizing, you can use LoopCV to automatically apply to hundreds of matching jobs every day across 20+ job boards.
How do resume keyword scanners work?
Resume keyword scanners (ATS software) parse your resume into plain text, then compare it against the job description to count how many required keywords and phrases appear. Most ATS systems score resumes by keyword density and exact-match frequency. If your score falls below the recruiter's threshold — typically 60-70% — your resume is filtered out before a human ever reviews it. Our free scanner replicates this process so you can check and fix your score before applying.
What are the best keywords to add to a resume for ATS scanning?
The best keywords to add are always the ones in the specific job description you're applying for. Beyond that, high-value ATS keywords generally fall into these categories: (1) Technical skills — programming languages, software, platforms. (2) Certifications — exact credential names like 'PMP', 'Google Analytics Certified', 'Series 65'. (3) Methodologies — 'Agile', 'Scrum', 'Six Sigma', 'Lean'. (4) Soft skills mentioned explicitly — 'cross-functional collaboration', 'stakeholder management'. (5) Industry jargon — terms specific to your field. Use our keyword scanner to identify which of these are missing from your resume for each application.
Why is my resume being rejected by ATS systems?
The most common reasons ATS systems reject resumes are: (1) Missing keywords — your resume doesn't contain enough terms from the job description. (2) Wrong file format — submitting a .jpg or non-parseable PDF. (3) Complex formatting — tables, columns, headers/footers, and graphics confuse ATS parsers. (4) Generic resume — using the same resume for every job instead of tailoring keywords. Run your resume through our free keyword scanner to identify missing keywords, then submit as a clean single-column .docx or simple PDF.
Does this work as a CV keywords scanner, not just a resume checker?
Yes. Whether you call it a resume or a CV, the tool works the same way. Paste your CV text into the second box alongside any job description, and the scanner will check your CV for matching keywords, calculate your ATS match score, and generate a list of keywords your CV is missing. The terms 'resume' and 'CV' refer to the same document in most ATS systems — what matters is that the right keywords are present.
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