Hiring teams often skim a resume in 6–10 seconds, and many companies run it through an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) first. The good news: you don’t need a complete rewrite—just a few high-impact adjustments that make your resume both ATS-friendly and easy for humans to scan.

1) Start with a clear, keyword-aligned summary

Your top third of the page should answer: Who are you + what role + what impact?

• Keep it to 2–4 lines
• Include 1–2 role titles you’re targeting (e.g., “Data Analyst,” “Business Analyst”)
• Add 2–3 specialty keywords from the job description (tools, domains, methods)

2) Use a clean, ATS-safe format

If your resume is hard to parse, your experience may not be indexed correctly.

• Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns (common ATS pitfalls)
• Use standard headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
• Stick to readable fonts (e.g., Calibri, Arial) and consistent spacing

3) Make your experience section outcome-first

Recruiters look for results, not responsibilities.

• Lead bullets with an action verb (Built, Reduced, Automated, Launched)
• Quantify impact where possible: time saved, revenue, cost, accuracy, volume, cycle time
• Use this simple structure:
  • Action + What you did + How + Result

Example:

• Automated weekly reporting in SQL + Python, reducing turnaround time from 2 days to 3 hours.

4) Tailor keywords—without keyword stuffing

ATS scans for matches, but humans still read it.

• Pull hard skills + tools + certifications from the posting
• Mirror the employer’s wording when truthful (e.g., “stakeholder management” vs “partnering”)
• Add keywords naturally across Summary, Skills, and bullets

5) Build a focused skills section

Think of this as your ATS “index.”

• Split into categories (especially for tech roles):
  • Tools: Excel, Tableau, Jira
  • Technical: SQL, Python
  • Methods: A/B testing, Agile
• Prioritize skills you’d be comfortable discussing in an interview

6) Fix common red flags quickly

These are easy wins:

• Dates formatted consistently (e.g., Jan 2023 – Dec 2024)
• Remove generic phrases like “hard-working” (show it via impact)
• Ensure each role has 3–6 strong bullets, not a paragraph

7) Add a “proof of impact” check before you submit

Before sending, ask:

• Can someone understand my value in 15 seconds?
• Do my bullets show scope + outcome?
• Did I tailor my top keywords for this role?

If you posted your resume here, which section do you think is currently your weakest—summary, skills, or experience bullets—and what role are you targeting?