How to choose the right keywords from the Job Description (the ultimate ATS guide)

The Secret Language of the ATS

You know your CV needs to impress a recruiter, but does it speak the language of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

In this competitive job market, your CV is often screened by an ATS before it reaches human eyes. The system’s primary job is simple: rank candidates based on how well their CV matches the keywords found in the job description. If you don't use the right keywords, the ATS will simply filter you out.

This guide reveals a simple, step-by-step strategy to decode any job posting and optimize your CV for maximum ATS scoring.

Step 1: Understand the three types of ATS keywords

The job description isn't just a list of duties, it's a keyword roadmap. You need to identify and use three categories of keywords:

A. Core skill keywords (the "What")

These are the hard skills and technical capabilities required for the role.

Examples: Python, SQL, Project Management, SEO, Financial Modeling, Adobe Creative Suite.

B. Action verbs (the "How")

These are the dynamic verbs that describe how you achieved results. The ATS looks for these to confirm competency.

Examples: Managed, Developed, Executed, Increased, Streamlined, Mentored, Launched.

C. Industry buzzwords (the "Context")

These are specific terms related to the industry or company culture.

Examples: Agile Methodology, Lean Six Sigma, Quarterly Business Review (QBR), Stakeholder Management, Client Retention.

Step 2: The highlighting technique (quick extraction)

Stop reading the job description casually. Treat it like an exam and actively highlight the keywords you find.

Print or Copy/Paste: Copy the job description into a text editor.
Color Code: Use three distinct colors to highlight the keywords identified in Step 1 (e.g., Yellow for Core Skills, Blue for Action Verbs, Green for Industry Buzzwords).
Frequency Check: Note which keywords appear two, three, or even four times. These are your golden keywords.The more frequently a keyword appears in the job description, the more critical it is to the ATS score.

Tip: If you need help structuring your CV after finding these keywords, use an expert tool. Mafiro's CV Tool (mafiro.com) is designed to seamlessly integrate your experience and keywords into an ATS-friendly format, maximizing your chances of getting noticed.

Step 3: Strategic integration – where to place your keywords

Simply listing keywords won't work; the ATS checks for context. You must weave them naturally into the narrative of your accomplishments.

CV Section	Strategy for Integration
Summary/Objective	Include 3-5 high-priority keywords here. This is the first place the ATS scans. (e.g., "Highly analytical Project Manager* with 5+ years of experience in Agile Methodology...")*
Work Experience	This is the most important section. Rewrite your bullet points to start with Action Verbs and follow with Core Skills. (e.g., "Managed* 15+ complex projects using JIRA and Scrumprinciples...")*
Skills Section	List your hard skills clearly. Include the exact technical tools mentioned in the job description (e.g., "HubSpot" instead of "CRM Software").

Step 4: Using keyword variants and acronyms

Don't assume the ATS knows the difference between a full term and its acronym. Include both if the job description uses both.

Example: If the description mentions "Search Engine Optimization," use that. But if it also uses "SEO," include both in your skills section or a dedicated bullet point.

Critical Fix: Once you've optimized your CV with keywords, make sure the formatting won't sabotage your work. Using a tool like the Mafiro CV Builder ensures your CV's structure is clean and perfectly readable by any Applicant Tracking System.

Final check: the keyword density test

Read your finalized CV and compare it to the original job description. Do you use the required core skills and action verbs at least once in your experience section?

Remember, the goal is not to "stuff" keywords, but to accurately and contextually demonstrate that you possess the exact qualifications the employer is seeking.

Ready to Apply?

If you're tired of manually adjusting your CV for every application, let a specialized tool do the heavy lifting. Visit Mafiro now to access our top-rated CV Tool and check your ATS score. It’s the fastest way to turn those job description keywords into interview invitations.

Beating the ATS isn't about luck, it's about strategy. By mastering the art of keyword extraction and strategic integration, you transition from a hopeful applicant to a highly relevant candidate. Start applying this strategy today!