ResuAssist

Resume Tips

Master the ATS

Over 90% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Learn how to get past automated screening and land more interviews.

  • Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
  • Avoid tables, columns, headers/footers, text boxes
  • Use standard section headings: Experience, Education, Skills
  • Save as .docx or .pdf (no images/scanned PDFs)
  • Keep to 1-2 pages for most roles
  • Use standard bullet points, not fancy symbols
  • Mirror exact phrases from the job description
  • Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
  • Place keywords in context, not just in a keyword dump
  • Use industry-standard job titles
  • Include relevant certifications and tools by name
  • Tailor keywords for each application
  • Use the XYZ formula: "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]"
  • Start with strong action verbs (Led, Developed, Increased, Streamlined)
  • Quantify everything: percentages, dollar amounts, team sizes, time saved
  • Focus on results, not responsibilities
  • Transform generic descriptions into impact statements: Instead of "Responsible for managing team" → "Led cross-functional team of 12 engineers, delivering 3 product launches that increased revenue by $2.4M annually"
  • Write in your own voice first, then polish
  • Include specific details only you would know (project names, team sizes, exact metrics)
  • Vary sentence structure and length naturally
  • Avoid generic buzzword-heavy descriptions
  • Use ResuAssist’s AI Detection score to check your resume
  • Using "References available upon request" (outdated)
  • Including a photo (in US market)
  • Using personal pronouns (I, me, my)
  • Listing every job you’ve ever had
  • Using fancy designs that break ATS parsing
  • Typos and grammatical errors
  • Tech: List specific languages, frameworks, tools. Include GitHub/portfolio links.
  • Finance: Highlight regulatory knowledge, certifications (CFA, CPA). Quantify deals/portfolios.
  • Healthcare: Include license numbers, certifications. Use clinical terminology.
  • Marketing: Show metrics (ROI, conversion rates, traffic growth). Mention tools (GA, HubSpot).
  • Design: Keep the resume ATS-friendly even if your portfolio is creative. List design tools.

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