Extract the JD's keyword set
Three categories: role keywords, skill keywords, requirement keywords. Pull all three before editing.
- Role — exact title and seniority variants
- Skills — tools, frameworks, methodologies
- Requirements — years, certifications, domain
Place keywords where the parser scans first
Skills section, then role headers, then bullet openers.
- Dedicated Skills block above experience
- Echo the JD's exact phrasing — 'Product Marketing' vs 'PMM'
- Use both spelled-out and acronym forms — 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO)'
Avoid stuffing — it's detected
Modern ATS down-rank keyword density above ~3.5%. Aim for natural placement.
- Each keyword 1–3 times, distributed across sections
- Never inside images, headers, or footers — most parsers skip them
- Cross-check with our ATS Scanner before submitting