The ATS reads the resume in plain text. It converts the uploaded resume to a plain text document.
ATS is unable to read: tabs, text boxes, tables, color, pictures, graphs.
Create your resume within Microsoft Word.
Convert your resume to a .pdf (Adobe document) prior to submission to the online application.
Copy your resume from the .pdf and paste into a Word document to check for corruption (corruption shows up as characters replacing letters, strange spacing, missing words, missing bullet points).
Use simple Main Headings: Experience, Work Experience, Education.
If using a Skills section, use punctuation after each skill listed. For example: Communication, Project Management, Customer Service, Microsoft Office.
Do not use | a vertical line because it’s not punctuation.
Using key words in your actual working experience section has higher relevancy due to context. Key words don’t have to be exactly what is written in the job posting.
If every skill matches what is in the job posting, it could be flagged as “what’s wrong here”.
Don't Use Acronyms Without Explaining Them (First Time):If you use an acronym that's not universally known in your field, write out the full term once followed by the acronym in parentheses (e.g., "Project Management Professional (PMP)").
