How to Find the Right Keywords for Your CV (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve ever applied for jobs and heard nothing back, your CV might not be the problem.

At least – not in the way you think.

Many job seekers focus on formatting, wording, or making their CV “sound good.” But what often gets overlooked is one of the most important factors in getting shortlisted:

Using the right keywords.

Without the right keywords, your CV can easily be rejected – sometimes without ever being seen by a human.

The good news? Once you know how to find and use them, it becomes much easier to create a CV that actually gets results.

Let’s walk through exactly how to do it.

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Why Keywords Matter More Than Ever

Before we get into the “how,” let’s quickly look at why keywords are so important.

Most employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before they reach a recruiter.

These systems scan your CV for specific words and phrases that match the job description.

If your CV doesn’t include those keywords?

It may never be shortlisted – no matter how qualified you are.

Even when a human is reviewing your CV, they’re still scanning for the same thing:

• Relevant skills
• Relevant experience
• Evidence that you match the role

And keywords are what help them find that quickly.

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Step 1: Start With the Job Description (Not Your CV)

This is where most people go wrong.

They start by updating their CV based on what they think sounds good.

Instead, you should start with the job advert.

Carefully read:

• The job description
• The person specification

These documents tell you exactly what the employer is looking for.

Your job is to reflect that – clearly and strategically – in your CV.

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Step 2: Highlight Key Words and Phrases

As you read through the job description, start picking out important words and phrases.

Look for anything related to:

Skills

• Customer service
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving

Experience

• Managing projects
• Working in a fast-paced environment
• Dealing with customers
• Leading a team

Behaviours and Attitude

• Enthusiastic
• Reliable
• Proactive
• Flexible

Knowledge

• Industry-specific knowledge
• Systems or tools
• Processes

Context

• Working with the public
• Outdoor environments
• High-pressure situations
• Large teams

You can highlight, underline, or even colour-code these – whatever helps you organise them.

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Step 3: Group Keywords Into Categories

Once you’ve identified the keywords, the next step is to organise them.

This helps you see patterns – and makes it much easier to build your CV.

For example, you might group them like this:

Customer Service

• Welcoming visitors
• Engaging with the public
• Handling queries
• Creating positive interactions

Communication

• Speaking clearly
• Answering questions
• Presenting information
• Engaging different audiences

Teamwork

• Working as part of a team
• Collaborating in busy environments

Learning and Knowledge

• Learning information quickly
• Sharing knowledge with others

By grouping them, you can clearly see what the employer values most.

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Step 4: Match Keywords to Your Experience

Now comes the important part.

For each keyword or category, ask yourself: “Where have I done this before?”

You don’t need to have done the exact same job.

Instead, think about transferable skills.

For example:

• Customer service in retail
• Communication in a volunteer role
• Teamwork in a previous job or course

Your goal is to connect your experience to what the employer is looking for.

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Step 5: Add Keywords Naturally Into Your CV

Once you’ve identified the keywords and matched them to your experience, you need to include them in your CV.

But here’s the key: Don’t just list them.
Use them in context.

For example, instead of saying:

“Excellent communication skills”

You could say:

“Communicated effectively with customers, answering queries and providing clear information in a fast-paced environment”

This way, you’re:

• Using the keyword
• Demonstrating it
• Adding credibility

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Step 6: Prioritise What Matters Most

Not all keywords are equal.

Some will be more important than others.

To figure out which ones matter most, look for:

• Words that are repeated
• Skills listed at the top of the job description
• “Essential” criteria in the person specification

These are the ones you should prioritise in your CV – especially in:

• Your professional summary
• Your key skills section
• Your work experience

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Step 7: Go Beyond the Obvious (Stand Out)

Here’s a step that many people miss – and it can really help you stand out.

Look for additional knowledge or context mentioned in the job description.

For example:

• Specific organisations
• Products or services
• Industry knowledge

Even if it’s not listed as “essential,” showing awareness of these areas can give you an edge.

For example:

• Researching the organisation
• Understanding their customers
• Knowing their services

This can be included in:

• Your CV
• Your cover letter
• Your interview

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Can You Use AI to Find Keywords?

Yes – you can.

Tools like ChatGPT can help you quickly extract keywords from a job description.

All you need to do is:

1. Copy and paste the job description
2. Ask it to identify key skills, behaviours, and experience

However, a word of caution: Always check the output.

AI can miss important details, misinterpret information and overlook context

It’s a great support tool – but not a replacement for your own judgement.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you apply this approach, watch out for these common pitfalls:

❌ Using the Same CV for Every Job

Each role will have different keywords. Tailoring is essential.

❌ Keyword Stuffing

Adding keywords without context can make your CV sound unnatural.

❌ Ignoring Transferable Skills

You don’t need identical experience – just relevant examples.

❌ Overlooking the Person Specification

Some of the most important keywords are hidden here.

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A Simple Example

Let’s say a job requires:

• Customer service
• Communication
• Teamwork

Instead of writing:

“I am a team player with good communication skills”

You could write:

“Delivered high-quality customer service, communicating clearly with customers and collaborating with team members to ensure a smooth service experience”

Same keywords – much stronger impact.

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Conclusion

Finding the right keywords isn’t about tricking the system.

It’s about:

• Understanding what the employer needs
• Reflecting that clearly in your CV
• Showing that you’re a strong match for the role

Once you start doing this consistently, you’ll likely notice a big difference in your results.

More responses, more interviews – more opportunities.

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