Your resume has two audiences: a scanning human and an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). The goal is simple: make it easy for both to understand your impact fast. Below are practical, high-leverage tweaks you can apply today.

1) Lead with a clear, keyword-aware headline

Under your name, add a one-line title that matches the job family:

• “Data Analyst | SQL, Tableau, Python | Healthcare Analytics”
• “Customer Success Manager | B2B SaaS | Retention & Expansion”

This helps recruiters orient immediately and supports ATS matching.

2) Replace generic summaries with a proof-based snapshot

A strong summary is 3–5 lines and includes:

• Target role + domain
• 2–3 core skills (mirroring the job posting)
• A measurable outcome or signature win

Example: “Marketing Manager with 6+ years in B2B SaaS. Strengths in lifecycle email, paid social, and CRO. Increased trial-to-paid conversion from 9% to 14% in 2 quarters.”

3) Use an ATS-friendly structure (less design, more clarity)

Avoid elements that can break parsing:

• Tables, text boxes, icons, and multi-column layouts
• Headers/footers with important info

Stick to: single column, standard headings (e.g., Experience, Skills, Education), and consistent formatting.

4) Rewrite bullets using the “Impact + Evidence” formula

Aim for 4–6 bullets per recent role, fewer for older roles.

Try this template:

• Action verb + what you did + how + metric/result

Before: “Responsible for reporting.”

After: “Built weekly KPI dashboard in Tableau, reducing manual reporting time by 6 hours/week and improving forecast accuracy by 12%.”

5) Align keywords without keyword stuffing

Instead of copying the job description verbatim:

• Match terminology (e.g., “stakeholder management” vs. “partner communication”)
• Include tool names and methods where truthful (e.g., Salesforce, GA4, Agile, A/B testing)
• Add keywords naturally in Skills and in experience bullets

6) Make your Skills section scannable—and specific

Create 2–4 mini-groups:

• Tools: Excel, SQL, Power BI
• Methods: Regression, Cohort Analysis
• Core Skills: Stakeholder Management, Process Improvement

This reads quickly and improves ATS matching.

7) Cut the fluff: prioritize relevance over completeness

If your resume is overcrowded, remove:

• Obvious skills (e.g., “Microsoft Word” for most roles)
• Outdated tools
• Early-career roles that don’t support your current target (keep a short line if needed)

Quick self-audit (2 minutes)

• Can someone understand your role and level in 10 seconds?
• Do your top bullets show numbers (time, cost, revenue, quality, speed)?
• Does your resume mirror the job posting’s top 5 skills?

Discussion: What’s the hardest part of resume writing for you right now—quantifying impact, choosing keywords, or deciding what to cut?