Resume Tips & ATS Best Practices
The rules of resume writing have changed. Here is how to ensure your resume survives the initial AI screening.
Use Standard Section Headers
ATS parsers look for standard headers like 'Work Experience', 'Education', and 'Skills'. Using creative headers like 'My Journey' or 'What I'm Good At' can confuse the parser and cause your experience to be ignored.
Stick to Single-Column Layouts
Many older ATS systems read top-to-bottom, left-to-right. A two-column layout often gets mashed together into unintelligible text. Keep it simple and linear.
Quantify Your Achievements
Don't just list your responsibilities. Instead of saying 'Improved server performance', say 'Improved server response time by 40% resulting in a smoother user experience'. Numbers stand out to both AI and human reviewers.
Exact Keyword Matching
If the job description asks for 'Customer Service', don't write 'Client Relations'. Use the exact terminology found in the job description to ensure you score highly on keyword matching algorithms.