Hiring teams often spend 6–10 seconds on an initial resume pass—and before a human even sees it, an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) may decide whether you’re a match. The good news: a few targeted tweaks can dramatically improve your chances.
ATS tools can struggle with fancy layouts. Keep it simple so your content is “machine readable.”
Pro tip: Save as a PDF only if the application says PDFs are accepted and you’re confident it’s ATS-readable. When in doubt, submit a .docx.
Recruiters search for skills, tools, certifications, and titles. Your job is to mirror the language of the posting—accurately.
Quick test: If the job asks for “stakeholder management,” but you only say “worked with partners,” consider updating the phrase—assuming it reflects your real experience.
Most resumes list responsibilities. Strong resumes show impact.
Try this structure: Action + Scope + Result + Proof
Aim for 2–5 bullets per role focused on the work most relevant to the next job.
The top third should immediately answer: Who are you and what do you bring?
Include:
Before you hit submit, check for:
If you had to improve one part of your resume today—formatting, keywords, or bullet point impact—which would it be, and what role are you targeting?
This is a strong, practical breakdown—especially the “PDF only if accepted” note. One extra angle that helps people: **optimize for both ATS *and* the...
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