How to scan your resume for keywords
- Paste the full job ad into Add a job description in the tool above.
- Upload your resume (PDF or DOCX) or paste its text, then run the check.
- Read the Gap vs. job description panel: the match rate, the keywords found and the keywords missing.
- Add the missing ones you really have to a bullet or your Skills section, then check again.
Which words count as keywords
- Known skills and tools from a fixed list of over 100, such as SQL, Excel, Tableau, Salesforce, budgeting and stakeholder management.
- Words the job repeats three or more times, which are usually what the role is about.
- Names such as a company or product mentioned twice or more are shown but not scored, because you can't add them honestly.
The job title line at the top is skipped, and the scanner keeps the 30 strongest keywords per job description.
How matching works (and what it misses)
Each keyword is looked up in your resume as a whole word, including simple word forms such as forecast / forecasting. It does not know synonyms or abbreviations: "A/B tests" does not match "A/B testing", and "GA4" does not match "Google Analytics". If a keyword shows as missing but you have it, use the job's own words once in a bullet.
What you see free
The match rate, every keyword found and the first 3 missing keywords are free, with no account. The full missing list and rewrites for each job are planned for Job Hunt Sprint Pro. See pricing.
Want to tailor your whole resume to one job, not just check the words? See resume vs job description. For layout and parsing problems, use the ATS resume checker.
FAQ
What does a resume keyword scanner do?
It pulls the keywords out of a job description and checks which ones appear in your resume, so you can see what is missing before you apply.
Which words does it treat as keywords?
Skills and tools from a fixed list of over 100, plus words the job description repeats three or more times. Names such as the company are shown but not scored. Up to 30 keywords per job description.
Why is a keyword I have shown as missing?
Matching is by whole word and simple word forms, not synonyms or abbreviations. If you wrote "GA4" and the job says "Google Analytics", use the job's wording once in a bullet.
How many missing keywords can I see for free?
The first 3, plus the match rate and every keyword you already have. The full list is planned for Job Hunt Sprint Pro.
Should I add every missing keyword?
No. Add only the skills you really have, inside a bullet that shows how you used them. A list of pasted keywords can hurt you with the recruiter who reads it next.
Does it work for a CV?
Yes. Paste or upload a CV and the job advert, and the scan works the same way. See also the ATS CV checker.
Is my resume uploaded or stored?
Not for the free check: your file is read in your browser and every check runs on your device. Only if you buy the $5 export is the parsed text sent to our server, just to build the file; it is not stored or used to train models.
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Last updated 2026-11-03. How we check.