Resume writing

Creating your resume

The evolution of the job market, coupled with technological advancements, has reshaped the way resumes are evaluated and chosen.  At the forefront of this revolution is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), a computerized software extensively employed by companies and staffing agencies to manage and sift through the multitude of resumes they receive. Unfortunately, many job seekers remain unaware of the ATS and its significant influence on their resume's visibility to potential employers.

TIPS

✅ DO 

• Include your full name, including your middle initial if you have one. This will help ensure that you’re easily found in online searches.
• You don’t need to include your full address but do add your city, state, and zip code. Recruiters often search for local candidates first.
• Include a link to your professional website or online portfolio, if you have one.
• Create a strong LinkedIn profile and be sure to include the URL on your resume (make sure it’s up to date).

TIPS

✅ DO 

• Always tailor your headline to each job you apply for.
• Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each word) and use a bold or slightly larger font so the headline stands out visually.
• Position yourself as an expert in your field. This can help to set you apart from other candidates who may not be as confident in their abilities.
• Use numbers and statistics to back up your claims. The applicant in the example above uses “5 years experience” to highlight their area of expertise.
• Use attention-grabbing action verbs. The example above uses the verb “leading,” which quickly tells employers what the applicant has accomplished.
• Be specific. Generic phrases such as “hard worker” or “team player” are nice, but they don’t really tell employers anything. If you can, include a specific accomplishment or skill that makes you stand out from the rest.
  

❌ Don't

• Don’t make your headline too long or it will lose the reader’s attention. Keep it under ten words to make sure it packs a punch.
• Avoid using jargon. Stick to language that can be easily understood by everyone.
• Don’t be too salesy. A resume headline is not the place to make a hard sell; instead, focus on giving a snapshot of your skills and experience.
• Steer clear of clichés. With so many resumes to sift through, recruiters will appreciate a fresh, original headline that cuts to the chase.
  

Format your resume

When an ATS receives your application, the first thing it does is parse your resume.

Parsing involves extracting the information from your resume and organizing it so it can be easily scanned.

Unfortunately, many resumes contain formatting errors that prevent the ATS from parsing them correctly.

These resumes might be perfectly tailored for the job and have all the right keywords, but they’ll never be seen…all because of simple formatting errors.

To prevent this from happening to you, pay close attention to these formatting do’s and don’ts!

✅ DO 

• Use language that is simple and easy to understand. Jargon or difficult language will only confuse the ATS.
• Use a common font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for optimal readability.
• Use a font size that is easy to read. The recommended size is 11-12 pt for regular text, and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Make sure that the margins on all sides of your resume are 1 inch so that it doesn’t look too crowded.
• Use a Word document when you are creating your resume. This will ensure that it looks good and is easy for the ATS to read.
• Make sure to proofread your resume for mistakes before you send it off.



❌ Don't

• Don’t use tables and columns to organize your resume. This can cause important information to get lost when an ATS scans your resume.
• Don’t use unnecessary graphics or embellishments that might be difficult for an ATS to understand.
• Don’t use special characters or symbols that an ATS might misinterpret.
• Don’t make your resume longer than one page, unless absolutely necessary.