Job Description Keyword Extractor
Paste any job description to instantly pull out the keywords that matter for ATS and recruiters. Paste your resume too to see exactly which keywords you're missing.
🔒 Your text never leaves your browser — nothing is sent to any server.
How to use this keyword extractor
- Paste the job description into the left box. Use the full posting, not just the title — the more text, the more accurate the results.
- Click “Extract Keywords” to see the must-have and nice-to-have keywords ranked by importance.
- Review the results. Must-have keywords are the ones appearing most frequently and/or near the requirements section. Prioritise these.
- Paste your resume into the right box for a gap analysis — you'll see a match score and exactly which keywords are missing.
Why job description keywords matter for ATS
Most companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen applications before any human sees them. The ATS ranks resumes by how well their text matches the job description — and keyword matching is the primary signal it uses.
A resume that uses the right keywords, in the right places, scores higher and reaches recruiters faster. A resume that doesn't — even a strong one — can be filtered out automatically. See common ATS keywords by industry to understand what terms matter in your field.
How to use these keywords in your resume
Once you have your keyword list, add them throughout your resume in context — not as a list at the bottom. The most effective placements are:
- Professional summary — weave in 2–3 of the most important must-have keywords.
- Skills section — list hard skills and tools verbatim as they appear in the JD.
- Experience bullets — work keywords naturally into achievement statements with numbers.
Always mirror the JD's exact phrasing. If the JD says “project management”, use that phrase — not “managing projects”. Read our full guide on how to add keywords to your resume for a detailed walkthrough.
How this tool extracts keywords
The extractor uses a frequency + dictionary-match approach — no AI, no external API, no data sent anywhere.
- Normalize — the text is lowercased and cleaned.
- N-gram generation — single words, two-word, and three-word phrases are all extracted (so “project management” and “machine learning” are caught as phrases, not broken into parts).
- Dictionary matching — phrases are checked against a curated list of 800+ known resume and ATS keywords. Matches receive a 3× score boost.
- Position boost — terms appearing near words like “required” or “must have” receive an additional boost and are more likely to appear in the must-have category.
- Ranking — the top terms are sorted by combined score and split into must-have vs. nice-to-have.
For a complete guide to resume keywords — including keyword strategy, placement, and industry-specific lists — see our in-depth article.
FAQ
Is this keyword extractor free?
Yes, completely free. There's no signup, no account, and no hidden charges. The tool runs entirely in your browser.
Does my data stay private?
Absolutely. Your job description and resume text never leave your device. The extraction algorithm runs locally in JavaScript — nothing is sent to any server.
How many keywords should I add to my resume?
Focus on the must-have keywords first — aim to include every relevant one naturally in your resume. For nice-to-have keywords, add them where they genuinely apply. Avoid keyword stuffing: ATS systems are smarter than they used to be, and recruiters will read your resume too.
What's the difference between must-have and nice-to-have keywords?
Must-have keywords appear frequently in the job description, often in the requirements section. They signal the core skills and qualifications the employer considers non-negotiable. Nice-to-have keywords are mentioned less often and may describe preferred but not essential qualifications.
Ready to go further? Check your full ATS score with resumetweaker — get a detailed breakdown of how well your resume will perform.