Crafting your resume for the modern age helps your information enter an applicant tracking system (ATS) database. The software sorts and organizes resumes to determine which ones go to the hiring team.
Optimizing your resume for an ATS increases the odds of the hiring team looking over your resume. As a result, you could be contacted for an interview.
Implement these tips and tricks to craft a resume for the digital era.
Format Your Resume for an Applicant Tracking System
Your resume must be correctly formatted so an ATS can read it. The following formatting tips can help:
- Use a simple design.
- Ensure your margins are 1 inch on all sides to provide adequate space for your information.
- Choose a common font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica to optimize readability.
- Create traditional resume section headers such as Education and Work Experience.
- Include simple, clear language.
- Avoid special characters, symbols, or graphic design elements that can confuse the ATS.
Include the Job Title and Your Experience in Your Resume Headline
Your resume headline briefly summarizes your professional identity. This information appears below your contact information at the top of your resume.
Include in your headline the job title, keywords from the job description, and your relevant experience. A member of the hiring team is likely to type the keywords into an ATS to search for qualified candidates. As a result, your resume is likely to show up.
Use Keywords Throughout Your Resume
Review the job description to determine the hard and soft skills required for the role. These skills are the keywords to include throughout your resume.
Hard skills are specific knowledge and abilities developed through training and experience. Examples include data analysis, project management, and technical writing.
Soft skills are interpersonal skills that can be developed but not taught. Examples include communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Including the skills and language used in the job description helps your resume get past an ATS and to the hiring team. As a result, you could be contacted for an interview.
Would You Like Help Crafting Your Resume?
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