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Extracting Job Descriptions

3 ways to automatically extract job descriptions for our extension from any job site

Resume Tailor needs to analyze job descriptions to create perfectly tailored resumes. This guide explains three different methods to extract job descriptions from any job site, ensuring you can optimize your resume no matter where you find job listings.

Pro Tip: The automatic extraction method works on most major job sites without any extra steps. Only use the alternative methods if you encounter issues with automatic extraction.

Job Site Compatibility

Before we dive into the extraction methods, here's a quick overview of how well our automatic extraction works with popular job sites:

Job Site Automatic Extraction Notes
LinkedIn ✓ Yes Works with all LinkedIn job postings
Indeed ✓ Yes Works with all Indeed job postings
Glassdoor ✓ Yes Works with all Glassdoor job postings
ZipRecruiter ✓ Yes Works with all ZipRecruiter job postings
Monster ✓ Yes Works with all Monster job postings
Company Career Pages ⚠ Partial Works with most company career pages, but some may require manual extraction
Government Job Sites ⚠ Partial Works with most government job sites, but some may require manual extraction
PDF Job Descriptions ✗ No Requires manual copy-paste method

Method 1: Automatic Extraction (Recommended)

Automatic Extraction

Resume Tailor's browser extension can automatically detect and extract job descriptions from most job sites:

  1. Navigate to the job posting page on any supported job site
  2. Click the Resume Tailor extension icon in your browser toolbar
  3. The extension will automatically detect and extract the job description
  4. You'll see a preview of the extracted job description
  5. Click "Tailor My Resume" to proceed with optimization
Automatic job description extraction
Pro Tip: If you're viewing a job listing in a search results page, click on the job title first to open the full job description before using the extension.

Method 2: Manual Copy-Paste

Manual Copy-Paste Method

If automatic extraction doesn't work, you can manually copy and paste the job description:

  1. Select and copy (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C) the entire job description from the job posting
  2. Click the Resume Tailor extension icon in your browser toolbar
  3. If automatic extraction fails, you'll see a "Manual Input" button
  4. Click "Manual Input" to open the text input area
  5. Paste (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) the job description into the text area
  6. Click "Analyze" to proceed with optimization
Important: When copying job descriptions manually, make sure to include all sections, including required qualifications, responsibilities, and company information. The more complete the job description, the better the optimization results.

Method 3: URL Sharing

URL Sharing Method

You can also use the Resume Tailor web app to analyze job descriptions by sharing the URL:

  1. Copy the URL of the job posting page
  2. Go to resumetailor.com/analyze
  3. Paste the URL into the "Job URL" field
  4. Click "Extract Job Description"
  5. Review the extracted job description
  6. Click "Tailor My Resume" to proceed with optimization

This method is useful when:

  • You're using a device where you can't install the browser extension
  • You want to share a job with someone else to help them optimize their resume
  • You're experiencing issues with the browser extension
URL sharing method

Troubleshooting Extraction Issues

If you're having trouble extracting job descriptions, try these solutions:

Issue: Extension Can't Detect Job Description

  • Solution 1: Make sure you're on the full job description page, not a search results page
  • Solution 2: Try refreshing the page and clicking the extension again
  • Solution 3: Use the manual copy-paste method as described above

Issue: Extracted Description Is Incomplete

  • Solution 1: Expand any collapsed sections on the job posting before extraction
  • Solution 2: Use the manual copy-paste method to ensure all content is included
  • Solution 3: Try the URL sharing method, which sometimes captures more content

Issue: Extraction Works But Analysis Fails

  • Solution 1: Check if the job description is very short or lacks detail
  • Solution 2: Try adding more context by manually editing the extracted description
  • Solution 3: Contact support if the issue persists with detailed job descriptions
Pro Tip: For the best results, try to extract job descriptions that have at least 200 words and include sections like "Requirements," "Responsibilities," or "Qualifications."

Extracting from Unusual Sources

PDF Job Descriptions

For job descriptions in PDF format:

  1. Open the PDF file
  2. Select all text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A)
  3. Copy the text (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C)
  4. Use the manual copy-paste method described above

Email Job Descriptions

For job descriptions received via email:

  1. Select the job description text in the email
  2. Copy the text (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C)
  3. Use the manual copy-paste method described above

Protected Job Boards

Some job boards require login or have anti-scraping measures. In these cases:

  1. Log in to the job board
  2. Try the automatic extraction first
  3. If that fails, use the manual copy-paste method