While you might think the header is just for your contact details, ATS systems often treat it as crucial for connectivity. If your header lacks consistency or properly formatted contact information, you may be overlooked immediately. Ensure your name, phone number, and email are plain and clear without extra formatting like tables or text boxes that might confuse the system. An example of a clean header: Jane Doe | jane.doe@gmail.com | (123) 456-7890. Skip graphics and stick to simplicity here.
ATS systems often scan for specific job title keywords early on to determine your relevancy to the role. For instance, if you're applying for a 'Project Manager' position, having 'Project Manager' somewhere in your work experience is vital. This aligns your application with what ATS is searching for, increasing the probability of it being forwarded to a recruiter. If your past positions had different titles but similar responsibilities, find ways to seamlessly integrate the target role title into your resume.
A profile summary is sometimes overlooked, but it's scanned as an early indicator of fit. This section acts like a quick pitch. For maximum impact, incorporate both your professional persona and essential keywords related to the job. For instance, ‘Dynamic Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years in strategic campaign management’ directly addresses skills and experience ATS looks for. Refrain from vague statements and ensure any buzzwords are relevant and specific.
Your experience section should be both ATS-friendly and persuasive. This means using clear job titles, dates of employment, and company names on separate lines. Don't hide this information in dense paragraphs. A formatting example: ‘Marketing Manager, XYZ Corp – 2018 to Present’. Provide relevant bullet points under each role, filled with quantifiable achievements. Remember, ATS might miss achievements buried in paragraphs, so bullet points work best.
While your education may be considered later depending on the role, it's often one of the areas ATS assesses to check for basic qualifications. Ensure to list your degrees in a straightforward manner, using the official degree title and full university name. For instance: 'Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of California'. List any honors or minors plainly after the degree. This honesty and clarity prepare your resume for an initial ATS yes or a quick consideration.
Skills sections, particularly those formatted as lists, allow ATS systems to quickly identify your competencies. These should be tailored to mirror the language used in the job description. If the role requires skills in 'Agile methodologies' or 'Budget management,' ensure these terms appear verbatim. However, avoid overcrowding this section—prioritize the most relevant skills to the job. Quality and alignment over quantity is key here.
Headers and footers can often be glanced over by ATS, making them risky places to put essential information. Avoid placing vital contact details or even core sections like your summary here. Some ATS systems might skip these sections entirely, or worse, mangle up text reading sequences. Stick to keeping indispensable information in the main body of the resume to avoid any mishaps with format discrepancy.
A free resume diagnostic can highlight potential ATS pitfalls lurking in your document. By identifying the sections not aligned with ATS expectations, you can strategically enhance your format and keywords. Imagine your resume being flagged because an unnecessary table breaks your keyword flow or your dense text hides key achievements. A diagnostic helps pinpoint these issues, making it worthwhile to give your resume a scan to boost your chances of passing ATS screenings.
Upload your resume and get a free diagnostic in 2 minutes. No account required to start.
Get my free diagnostic →