Hiring teams often spend 6–10 seconds on a first scan—and ATS software may filter you out before a human ever sees your resume. If you’re applying consistently but not getting interviews, it’s usually not your experience—it’s how your resume is packaged.

1) Use a clean, ATS-safe layout

ATS tools can misread complex formatting. Keep it simple:

• Single column layout (avoid sidebars)
• Standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)
• Minimal graphics (skip icons, text boxes, and charts)
• Use clear headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education

2) Make your job titles and dates easy to parse

Small formatting choices can break parsing.

• Put dates on the right OR same line, consistently (e.g., Jan 2022 – Present)
• Use consistent location formatting (City, ST)
• Avoid creative labels like “My Journey” instead of Experience

3) Match keywords—without copying the job post

Keyword alignment is about relevance, not stuffing.

• Pull 5–10 core skills/tools from the job description
• Mirror the employer’s wording when accurate (e.g., “stakeholder management” vs. “working with people”)
• Spread keywords naturally across Summary + Skills + bullets

4) Upgrade bullets from duties to outcomes

A strong bullet shows action + scope + result.

• Weak: “Responsible for reporting and dashboards.”
• Strong: “Built weekly KPI dashboard in Power BI, reducing reporting time 30% and improving visibility for 12 stakeholders.”

5) Fix vague “Skills” sections

A skills list should be scannable and specific.

• Group by type: Tools, Technical, Methods, Domain
• Avoid soft-skill-only lists (e.g., “Hardworking, Team player”)
• Include proficiency only if meaningful (e.g., Advanced Excel)

6) Keep it concise—but don’t delete impact

Length guidelines:

• 0–7 years: usually 1 page
• 8–15 years: 1–2 pages
• 15+ years: 2 pages is common Prioritize the last 5–8 years with the most detail; older roles can be shortened.

7) Run a “plain text test” before you apply

Copy/paste your resume into a plain text editor.

• Do headings stay intact?
• Do bullets stay aligned?
• Do dates and companies remain readable? If it’s messy in plain text, it’s often messy to an ATS.

Quick self-check

Before you hit “submit,” ask:

• Does my resume show measurable outcomes in most roles?
• Do I use the same keywords as the job description (when true)?
• Is my formatting consistent and easy to scan?

What role are you targeting, and what’s one part of your resume you suspect is costing you callbacks?