Hiring teams may only spend 6–10 seconds on an initial scan—and before that, an ATS may filter you out entirely. The good news: small, targeted changes can dramatically improve both ATS pass-through and human readability.

1) Put the right keywords in the right places

ATS systems don’t “guess” synonyms well. If the job description says “stakeholder management” and your resume only says “partner communication,” you might miss a match.

• Pull 8–12 core keywords from the job posting (skills, tools, role titles, certifications)
• Use them naturally in your Summary, Skills, and Experience sections
• Mirror tool names exactly (e.g., Salesforce, Google Analytics 4, Excel)

2) Upgrade your summary from “about me” to “value statement”

Your summary should answer: What do you do, for whom, and with what impact?

Try this structure:

• Role + niche (e.g., “Data Analyst in e-commerce…”)
• Strengths/tools (SQL, Tableau, Python)
• Proof (a measurable outcome)

Example:

Data Analyst specializing in e-commerce funnels, using SQL + Tableau to deliver insights that reduced churn 12% YoY.

3) Use ATS-safe formatting (even if it feels “plain”)

Clean formatting helps ATS parse accurately and helps recruiters scan fast.

Best practices:

• Use a single column layout
• Avoid text boxes, tables, icons, and graphics
• Use standard headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
• Save as .pdf only if the application allows and formatting stays intact; otherwise use .docx

4) Make bullets achievement-first (not task-first)

Recruiters love outcomes. Swap “responsible for…” with impact + method + scope.

Use this formula:

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

Example:

• Improved onboarding completion from 62% to 81% by redesigning email sequences and A/B testing subject lines.

5) Quantify more than you think you can

If you don’t have direct revenue numbers, quantify:

• Time saved
• Volume (tickets/week, accounts managed)
• Speed (cycle time, turnaround)
• Quality (error reduction, SLA compliance)

6) Keep your Skills section targeted (not a shopping list)

A long list can dilute relevance.

• Create 2–4 groupings (e.g., Tools, Analytics, Project Management)
• Prioritize skills mentioned in the job description
• Remove outdated or junior-level skills if you’re mid/senior

7) Tailor without rewriting from scratch

Create a “master resume,” then tailor in 10 minutes:

• Swap in the job’s top keywords
• Reorder bullets so the most relevant are first
• Adjust your summary to match the role’s priorities

Quick self-check

Before you apply, ask:

• Can someone understand my role and impact in 15 seconds?
• Do my top bullets show outcomes, not just duties?
• Do my headings and formatting look ATS-friendly?

What’s the one resume section you struggle with most—Summary, Experience bullets, or Skills—and why?