How To Format Your Engineering Resume For ATS

I reviewed 547 resumes for a Data Scientist role on my team and found that 53 had parsing issues with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Here’s what I observed and some practical solutions: Problem 1: ATS Struggles with 'Modern' Resume Styles 9 resumes were blank or had no content. I believe this is due to: 🔸 These resumes often used fancy Word templates with two-column layouts. For example, one column had contact details, education, and skills, while the other had work experience.  I believe we can avoid this by 🔹 using a simple, clean formatting (LaTeX works well for this) 🔹 submitting resumes in PDF format rather than Word documents 🔹 sticking to a one-column layout to ensure clarity 🔹 maintaining consistent margins (minimum 0.5 inches) and line spacing (1.0 minimum) Problem 2: Distorted Content 44 resumes were harder to read. I believe this is due to: 🔸 Use of icons, images, charts, tables, or colors 🔸 "Justify" text alignment, which creates inconsistent word spacing 🔸 Fonts with ligatures (e.g., "fi", "fl", “ft”, etc), where letters merge and confuse the ATS (e.g., "artificial" becoming "arti cial") 🔸 Special characters like apostrophes (') and ampersands (&) may not render correctly I believe we can avoid this by  🔹 using fonts like Arial or Calibri and avoid italics 🔹 disabling ligatures: In Word: Select the text, go to Text Effects -> Ligatures -> None In LaTeX Option 1: Use the microtype package to disable ‘f-ligatures’: \usepackage{microtype}  \DisableLigatures[f]{encoding = *, family = *} Option 2: Globally disable ligatures with: \input{glyphtounicode}  \pdfgentounicode=1 🔹 using “Left Align” instead of “Justify” for text alignment 🔹 spelling out “and” instead of using the ampersand (&) Note: In my experience, ATS systems are tools for coordinating applications and do not auto-reject resumes based on formatting. Auto-rejections occur when specific rules are set by the hiring team, such as answering “no” to a key question like, “Do you have 5+ years of experience with R?” Be cautious of services that sell “ATS-compatible” resume templates or promise better ATS scores. These services may intentionally lower your scores to sell their premium services. It’s best to focus on clear, simple formatting and content that aligns with the job description. #resume #ats

I’ve cracked the ATS every single time I’ve applied for a job. And now I help my clients do the same. The biggest reason your resume doesn’t convert is not a lack of qualifications or achievements. It’s because the ATS couldn’t “read” your value. Here's a before vs after resume of one of my clients. I break down what I help her change to land multiple interviews with the top companies. ❌ OLD RESUME → Wordy and vague summary → Skills and tools scattered all over the place → Projects buried too deep → Too much jargon, too little clarity → 2+ pages, cluttered and overwhelming ✅ NEW RESUME → 1-page, crisp and focused → Summary shows clear value with metrics (70% optimization, 67% user acceptance) → Skills grouped logically for ATS scan → Projects written like achievements—not just tasks → Uses job-relevant keywords like: “multi-GPU computing,” “transformer,” “YOLO,” “streamlit,” “Docker,” and “fine-tuning LLMs” So, what actually makes a resume pass the ATS? It’s these 4 things: 🔹 Be keyword-rich (based on the JD) 🔹 Have clean formatting (no fancy design, no tables) 🔹 Show quantifiable outcomes (not just responsibilities) 🔹 Stay under 2 pages (ideally 1, unless you’re senior) 5 reasons the ATS might reject your resume: → PDF formatting with images or charts → No job-specific keywords → Generic summaries without context or metrics → Listing duties instead of results → Skills thrown randomly instead of categorized Your resume isn’t a biography. It’s your marketing tool. And if the system can’t read it, no human ever will. If you’re job hunting and not getting interviews, it’s time to change your resume - not your dreams. P.S. I help tech professionals in the U.S. and Canada land their dream jobs. Drop me a DM, if you need more clarity and help in your job search.

7 ATS Hacks To Boost Resume Views (Use These To 3x Your Interview Rate): 1. Match Keywords Like A Mirror  If the job description says "project management"? Don't just write bullet points that illustrate you master this skill. Make sure you’ve got “Project Management” injected into that bullet (and anywhere else you can naturally include it). Pro Tip: ResyMatch.io can help you identify skill gaps on your resume based on the job description. 2. Stick With Standard Resume Headers  "Project Management Experience" sounds cool for a resume header. The problem? It can kill your chances. Stick to the standard headers like "Work Experience" and "Education." ATS systems scan for typical sections, so save the creativity for your portfolio. 3. Use Both Acronyms And Full Terms  Some ATS systems only recognize acronyms, while others need full terms. Cover all your bases by including both formats throughout your resume. For example: include “SEO” as well as “Search Engine Optimization” in different sections of your resume to boost views. 4. Make Sure Your Layout & File Format Are ATS-Friendly  You don't just want your word formatting to be spot-on. You also want to pick a resume template with a sleek and easily scannable layout. Plus, you want your resume to be in the right file format, like a PDF. Pro Tip: Use a resume builder to customize your resume. Resume builders like ResyBuild.io help you customize your resume in ATS-friendly layouts and formats. 5. Quantify Everything With Numbers "Managed team" becomes "Managed 12-person engineering team." "Increased sales" becomes "Increased sales by 34% in 6 months." When your resume ends up in the hands of a human? Outcomes are what's going to set you apart. 6. Skip The Graphics And Tables  That beautiful infographic resume looks amazing to humans. But ATS systems read it as blank space. Stick to simple bullets and standard fonts. Save the design elements for your portfolio or Value Validation Project. 7. Run Your Resume Through Free ATS Scanners Run your resume through resume scanners like ResyMatch.io before applying. ResyMatch shows exactly what your resume is missing based on ATS best practices. Plus, it gives you instant feedback and instructions to update your resume. 📄 Want to map these hacks to your resume and win more interviews? 👉 Book a free 30-min Clarity Call and we’ll walk you through the ATS-proof tweaks: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

We all know that the first step of looking for a job is having a resume that passes the #ATS! Did you think I was going to say one that expertly and succinctly illustrates the value and impact you created throughout your career? Yes, that is important too, but first you need to think about how you will get your impactful resume past that dreaded ATS! To help you check if your resume is ATS-worthy, here are a few tips: 1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description 💎 Tip: Customize your resume for each job application. (I know it’s annoying!) Carefully review the job description and include relevant keywords and phrases that match the role. This increases the chances of passing the ATS filters. 🔥 Action: Highlight specific skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the job requirements. Use exact keywords from the job posting. 2. Use a Clean & Professional Layout 💎 Tip: A well-organized resume with a clear, professional design can make a strong impression. Avoid overly complex formatting, graphics, or unusual fonts, as they can confuse the ATS. 🔥 Action: Stick to standard resume formats (chronological, functional, or combination). Use bullet points, consistent headings, and a readable font (e.g., Arial, Calibri). 3. Focus on Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities 💎 Tip: Highlight your accomplishments rather than just listing job duties. Quantifiable achievements demonstrate your impact and value to potential employers. 🔥 Action: Use action verbs and metrics to showcase your achievements. For example, "Increased sales by 20% through strategic marketing initiatives." 4. Include Relevant Keywords 💎 Tip: Incorporate keywords related to the job and industry throughout your resume. This helps the ATS identify your resume as a good match for the position. 🔥 Action: Use keywords naturally in your skills, experience, and summary sections. Avoid keyword stuffing, as it can make your resume difficult to read. 5. Proofread and Edit Thoroughly 💎 Tip: Spelling and grammatical errors can make a negative impression and potentially disqualify your resume. Proofread carefully to ensure it's error-free. 🔥 Action: Use tools like Grammarly for initial checks, but also manually review your resume. Consider having a friend or mentor review it as well for a fresh perspective. Bonus Tips: 💎 Use a naming convention that is memorable for others: Malik_resume_LD_CompanyX.pdf 💎 Use PDF formats when sharing your resume via email or ATS – this preserves your fonts and formatting. If you have any other resume tips, please feel free to share in the comments – let’s support each other in landing those dream jobs! But first…let’s get past that ATS! You got this! #ResumeTips #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #ATS #JobHunting #InterviewTips #CareerGrowth #ATStips #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthMindedConsulting GrowthMinded Consulting LLC