Hiring teams skim. ATS systems filter. Your goal is to read clearly for humans while staying parsable for software—and you can do both.
Quick ATS + recruiter win checklist
- Use one clean, standard layout (single column is safest). Avoid text boxes, tables, icons, and heavy graphics.
- Stick to readable fonts (Calibri, Arial, Helvetica) at 10.5–12 pt for body text.
- Use standard section headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education.
- Save as PDF only if it preserves structure; when in doubt, submit a .docx.
Write bullets that prove impact (not just tasks)
A strong bullet answers: What did you do + how + what changed?
Try this structure:
- Action verb + scope + tools + metric/result
Examples:
- Reduced customer response time by 32% by implementing Zendesk macros and triage rules across 3 product lines.
- Improved monthly close accuracy by 15% through reconciliations and a new variance tracker in Excel.
Tip: If you don’t have hard metrics, use “proxy metrics” like turnaround time, volume, error rate, cost avoidance, SLA adherence, or stakeholder satisfaction.
Keywords: match the role, not your ego
Keyword stuffing gets you nowhere. Instead:
- Paste the job description into a doc.
- Highlight skills, tools, titles, and outcomes that repeat.
- Add only the ones you genuinely have, using the employer’s phrasing.
Where to place them:
- Skills section (tools + core competencies)
- Experience bullets (show proof)
- Summary (top 2–3 specialties)
Formatting that increases skimmability
- Keep bullets to 1–2 lines (3 max if it’s high-impact).
- Lead with the most impressive bullets first (don’t bury the best).
- Use consistent tense (present for current role, past for previous).
- Dates: pick one style and stick to it (e.g., Jan 2023 – Present).
Mini self-audit (2 minutes)
Ask yourself:
- Can someone tell what I do in 10 seconds?
- Does each role have 3–6 bullets with outcomes?
- Are my top keywords visible within the top half of page one?
If you want, reply with your target role + a pasted bullet and I’ll help rewrite it for clarity and impact.
What’s the one resume section you feel least confident about—Summary, Skills, or Experience bullets?