Content and Keywords
Write a role-specific headline
Match the exact job title from the listing. Senior Product Designer not Creative Professional.
Mirror keywords from the job description
Use the same terms naturally. Cross-functional collaboration instead of paraphrasing.
Quantify impact in every bullet
Reduced page load time by 42% is stronger than improved performance. Numbers stand out.
Write a targeted 2-3 line summary
Reference the target role, years of experience, and key skills. Keep it under 50 words.
Structure and Sections
Use standard section headings
Use headings like Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. Avoid creative labels.
Add a dedicated Skills section near the top
List hard skills, tools, and technologies in a clean format. ATS weighs this heavily.
Order sections by relevance
Lead with Experience for mid-career roles, Education for recent grads. Most relevant first.
Mention tools in experience bullets
Contextual tool usage scores better than listing tools without examples.
Formatting and Layout
Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns
ATS reads top-to-bottom, left-to-right. Complex layouts can break parsing.
Use a single-column layout
Linear formatting ensures content is parsed in correct order.
Keep formatting consistent
Use consistent dates, punctuation, and spacing across the resume.
Stay within 1-2 pages
One page for early-career, two pages for senior roles. Keep content high signal.
Export and Submission
Export as PDF unless told otherwise
PDF preserves formatting. Use DOCX only when explicitly requested.
Test readability before submitting
Copy and paste your file into plain text to catch parsing issues.
Name your file professionally
Use FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf instead of vague versioned filenames.
Common mistakes to avoid
Embedding text inside images
Logos, icons, and graphical skill bars are invisible to ATS. Use plain text for all content.
Using uncommon fonts
Stick to Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Decorative fonts can break parsing.
Same resume for every job
Each application needs a tailored version with matching keywords and emphasis.