Keyword Matching Data
Keyword Matching Statistics: JD to Resume Impact
Jobscan's analysis of 2.5M applications shows job title and keyword alignment drive massive interview lift. These benchmarks quantify the impact of matching skills, titles, and credentials.
Last updated: January 2026
Match-rate benchmarks
Jobscan's report quantifies how keyword and credential alignment translates to interview lift.
| Metric | Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Applications analyzed | 2.5+ million | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Interview lift from job title match | 10.6x higher | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Interview lift from advanced degree | 6.7x higher | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Interview lift from bachelor's degree | 6.1x higher | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Interview lift from including a cover letter | 3.4x higher | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Interview lift from optimized LinkedIn profile | 2.2x higher | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Recruiters using ATS filters | 99.7% | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Recruiters filtering by skills | 76.4% | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Recruiters filtering by education | 59.7% | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Recruiters filtering by certifications | 50.6% | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
| Recruiters checking LinkedIn alignment | 46.75% | Jobscan State of the Job Search (2025) |
Biggest interview-rate multipliers
- Job title match: 10.6x higher interview rate.
- Advanced degree: 6.7x higher interview rate.
- Cover letter included: 3.4x higher interview rate.
How recruiters filter keywords
- 99.7% of recruiters use ATS filters.
- Skills (76.4%) and education (59.7%) are top filters.
- Certifications filter rate is 50.6%.
LinkedIn alignment matters
- Optimized LinkedIn profiles yield 2.2x interview lift.
- 46.75% of recruiters check LinkedIn alignment.
- Keep LinkedIn consistent with your resume keywords.
Action steps for higher match scores
- Mirror job titles and required skills verbatim.
- Add certifications, tools, and keywords from the JD.
- Align LinkedIn keywords with resume bullets.
Frequently asked questions
Sources and methodology
Jobscan's 2025 report analyzes 2.5M applications and surveys recruiters on ATS filtering behavior.
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