Pull the ATS keywords out of a job posting

The scenario

Big companies use applicant-tracking systems (ATS) that filter resumes on keywords before a human sees them. You can get past the filter if your resume actually uses the words they're scanning for, in the order of importance they care about.

The prompt

You are helping an early-career job seeker tune a resume for a specific job posting's ATS. I'll paste the posting. Pull out the keywords that matter.

Rules:
- Do not invent keywords that aren't in the posting.
- Separate "must-have" keywords (usually in a Requirements section or described as required) from "nice-to-have" (usually in a Preferred section).
- For each keyword, note whether my current resume likely uses that exact phrase, or a close-enough variant, or something not even in the ballpark. If you don't have my resume, just flag where the exact phrase matters.
- Flag any jargon in the posting that looks copy-pasted from a different role. Postings are often reused lazily.

Format:
1. Must-have keywords (exact phrases): list.
2. Nice-to-have keywords: list.
3. Suggested wording changes: three sentences max on how to adjust my resume language without lying.
4. One sentence on whether this posting looks well-targeted or looks like a copy-paste from another role.

Posting:
[paste the full job posting]

The output

Must-have keywords (exact phrases).

“customer service” (appears 4 times)
“evenings and weekends”
“cash handling”
“friendly and reliable”

Nice-to-have keywords.

“Square” (their POS system)
“reading habit” (a bonus, not a requirement)
“author events” (mentioned once as a “occasionally helps with”)

Suggested wording changes.

If your resume says “worked the register,” change it to “cash handling and customer service” to match their exact phrase. If you’ve worked a POS system, name the specific one (Square, Toast, Shopify, etc.). If you are in fact a reader, mention one specific category of books in your interests line.

Verdict on the posting. This one looks well-targeted and written by someone who actually manages the store. The language is specific. Answer the posting’s language directly.

One reasonable answer. Your run may differ. Read it against the scenario before using any of it.

What to watch for

AI will sometimes suggest adding keywords to your resume even if they don't match your real experience. Passing the ATS by faking it gets caught in the interview.
If the posting was sloppily written, the keyword list will be sloppy too. You're not required to address every one if half of them are mismatched.
Never paste a resume with your full name, address, and phone number into a consumer AI. Strip the contact info first.

← Back to use cases