When you’re applying for a job, unless the business is very small your résumé is going to go through something called an ATS – Applicant Tracking System. It is a simple piece of software designed to find and store applicant information, and it doesn’t understand fancy formats, nor is it smart enough to know synonyms. This means your résumé needs to be read and understood both by machine and the human (well, as of this writing assumed human) recruiter.
- State the position you’re applying for clearly in your profile section.
- Write a concise profile (2–3 sentences) that highlights your objective and demonstrated skills.
- Use industry terminology and key strengths in a dedicated section for clarity.
- List unusual software and language skills to show global and technical competitiveness.
- Focus on measurable successes in your work history, but avoid exaggeration.
- Use strong action verbs in past tense consistently across all roles.
- Avoid complex formatting (boxes, charts, multiple fonts, graphics) that confuse ATS.
- Design for mobile readability with a clean, downward flow.
- Include your name and page number on each page for easy tracking.
- Be honest and accurate—represent your experiences truthfully and tailor them to the job posting.
Make your résumé readable both for machines and for the human that will eventually receive it. If you’d like more information you can book an appointment.
