How do you optimize your resume for ATS and get feedback?

1 Use a simple format

ATS are not very good at reading fancy fonts, graphics, tables, or columns. They prefer plain text, standard headings, and clear sections. To make your resume ATS-friendly, use a simple format that highlights your relevant information. Avoid using headers, footers, images, or colors. Use a common font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and keep the size between 10 and 12 points. Use bullet points to list your achievements and skills, and align your text to the left.

2 Choose the right keywords

Keywords are the words and phrases that describe your skills, experience, and qualifications for the job. They are also the words that the ATS will look for to match your resume to the job description. To choose the right keywords, you need to research the job posting and the industry. Identify the main requirements, skills, and keywords that the employer is looking for, and use them in your resume. Don't just copy and paste them, though. You need to use them naturally and strategically, and show how you used them in your previous roles. For example, instead of saying "Managed a team of 10", you can say "Managed a team of 10 sales representatives, achieving a 15% increase in revenue".

3 Tailor your resume to each job

One of the biggest mistakes that job seekers make is sending the same resume to every job. This can hurt your chances of passing the ATS, as each job has different keywords and criteria. To optimize your resume for ATS, you need to tailor it to each job that you apply for. This means that you need to review the job description, identify the keywords and skills that are most relevant, and customize your resume accordingly. You may need to change your summary, your skills section, or your achievements to match the job. This will show the ATS and the hiring manager that you are a suitable candidate for the job.