How to Analyze a Job Description: Find the Right Skills and Keywords for Your Resume

When applying for a job, especially in technical writing, tailoring your resume is essential. Break down the job description to find the most important skills and responsibilities. This way, you can match your resume to what the employer needs. Here’s a simple guide. It helps you identify the right keywords, core skills, and experiences. These can make your resume stand out.

1. Read the Job Description Carefully from Start to Finish

Start by reading the job description thoroughly, from beginning to end. Focus on understanding the job’s core aspects. Decide if it’s more about creating new documentation. Consider if it’s about updating existing guides. Think about if it involves working closely with product teams. According to Indeed, this first read-through helps you catch the main focus of the role. It helps you decide how your resume might best fit.

• Tip: Read it as if you were interviewing for the job tomorrow. Think about what the company would expect you to achieve in this role.

2. Highlight the Main Responsibilities and Skills

Next, look for the main duties and essential skills listed in the description. These are often near the top. They might include phrases like “create user manuals.” They might also say “collaborate with developers” or “understand complex technical information.” Highlight these points—they are often the foundation of what the employer expects.

• For instance, if the job emphasizes “writing clear API documentation,” make sure you highlight similar achievements in your resume. Employers often repeat key skills they prioritize in job descriptions. So, if you see “API documentation” or “technical writing experience” multiple times, feature these prominently in your resume (Monster).

3. Identify Must-Have Skills vs. Nice-to-Have Skills

Many job descriptions will list both required skills and preferred skills. Required skills are essential for the job. For a technical writer, this includes “proficiency in Markdown or HTML.” Nice-to-have skills may be listed as “preferred” or “desired.” Focus on showcasing the required skills clearly in your resume. Emphasize them in your summary and experience sections. These are the skills Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are most likely to scan for (CareerBuilder).

• Example: If “knowledge of API tools” is a required skill, make sure it’s mentioned directly. If “experience with content strategy” is listed as a nice-to-have, you can include it. Make sure it’s relevant without making it the main focus.

4. Note Any Technical Terms or Job-Specific Language

Technical writing jobs often include specialized terms like “user guides,” “documentation standards,” and “content management systems.” Including these words in your resume shows employers you understand the field and meet the role’s specific requirements. Familiarize yourself with these terms, as they’re essential for both ATS compatibility and impressing hiring managers (Glassdoor).

• Tip: Use synonyms to cover different terms. For example, if the job description says “user documentation,” you could mention “user guides” in your resume. You could also include “product manuals.”

5. Pay Attention to Soft Skills and Company Culture

Many job descriptions also mention soft skills or elements of the company culture, such as “collaboration” or “adaptability.” Soft skills relate to how you work with others. They include traits like “communication” or “attention to detail.” These skills are especially important for technical writers. Writers need to work across teams. Reflect these skills in your achievements or work experiences instead of listing them separately.

• Example: If the job description emphasizes “collaboration with cross-functional teams,” you might say, “Worked closely with engineering teams.” You might also say, “Collaborated with marketing teams to produce product documentation.” Including these terms helps show you understand the collaborative nature of the job (ZipRecruiter).

6. Look for Action Verbs and Results-Oriented Language

Pay attention to action verbs like “develop,” “create,” “lead,” or “optimize.” Employers use these words to describe the kind of proactive work they’re looking for. Using them in your resume helps make your accomplishments more engaging. If a job description says “develop and update user guides,” you should reflect this in your experience section. Use similar language, such as “Developed and maintained user guides for 3+ major software releases.”

7. Make a List of the Key Skills and Keywords

After analyzing the job description, create a quick list of the most important skills, responsibilities, and keywords you found. Use this list to guide your resume updates, focusing on areas where you can showcase your relevant experience. LinkedIn indicates that resumes with keywords closely matching the job description are more likely to pass ATS screenings.

• Tip: Prioritize the keywords that you feel best match your experience and skills. If you have a lot of experience with “API documentation,” ensure you include this term in your summary. It should also be in your work history.

Conclusion

Taking the time to thoroughly analyze a job description is a critical step in tailoring your resume. Identify key skills, industry-specific terms, and essential responsibilities. This allows you to create a resume that appeals to the employer. It also increases your chances of passing through ATS systems. For technical writing jobs, align your resume with keywords like “technical documentation,” “API,” and “user guides.” This strategy shows hiring managers that you’re a strong match. It also indicates to software systems that you’re suitable for the role. Following these steps shows your attention to detail. It demonstrates your commitment to presenting the best version of yourself for each application.