Many employers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to collect and organize applications. These systems differ by vendor, and employers configure them differently, so no tip can promise a particular result. These five are editorial suggestions that tend to make a resume clearer to read, for software and for people.
One piece of documented context: Workday documentation on resume parsing says parsing results "can vary based on resume format and order of words." A clear, simple resume gives a parser less to get wrong.
1. Use the Job Description's Words, in Context
Recruiters and systems may search or screen by terms from the job description, so it helps to use the language of the posting where it honestly describes your work. Listing buzzwords on their own does less than showing them in real experience.
Pro tip: Instead of only listing "project management" in a skills section, show it in your experience. For example (illustrative): "Led cross-functional project management initiatives that shortened delivery time."
2. Keep Formatting Simple
Complex layouts such as multiple columns or text boxes can make extraction less predictable. A conservative approach is:
- Single-column layouts
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Simple bullet points (no symbols or icons)
- Standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
FilteredIn's free resume check lets you paste or upload a resume (PDF or TXT), optionally add a job description, and get feedback on content and keywords. The score is feedback on your resume, not a prediction of any employer's system or decision. Check your resume.
3. Quantify Where You Honestly Can
Specifics are easier to read than general claims. Instead of "Improved sales," write something like "Increased sales by [your verified %] year over year," using your real figure. If you do not have a reliable number, describe the scope of the work instead.
4. Tailor Every Application
One-size-fits-all resumes are less likely to speak to a specific posting. Customize your resume for each job by:
- Matching the job title when it honestly fits
- Incorporating specific skills mentioned in the posting
- Highlighting experiences that align with the requirements
5. Review Before You Submit
Check how your resume reads as plain text and how it lines up with the posting before you send it. A tool such as FilteredIn can give feedback on content and keywords. It cannot tell you how a particular employer's system will parse your file, so treat it as one input alongside your own read-through.
Ready to try these? Check your resume with FilteredIn's free resume check →
For more on how ATS platforms parse and rank resumes, see What Is an ATS and How Do You Optimize for One?
Sources
- Workday documentation, "Concept: Resume Parsing": doc.workday.com