Writing Resumes That Pass ATS Filters

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.

I just discovered why my client wasn't getting any interviews. She was using the wrong keywords. For 8 months, she'd been applying to "Digital Marketing Manager" roles. Her resume said: "Marketing Specialist with expertise in online advertising and social media management." The problem? Recruiters weren't searching for "online advertising." They were searching for "PPC." They weren't looking for "social media management." They were looking for "paid social." Her skills were perfect. Her language was wrong. Here's what we changed: ❌ "Online advertising" → ✅ "Google Ads, Facebook Ads, PPC" ❌ "Social media management" → ✅ "Paid social, organic social, community management" ❌ "Data analysis" → ✅ "Google Analytics, conversion tracking, ROI optimization" ❌ "Content creation" → ✅ "Content marketing, copywriting, A/B testing" Within 2 weeks: 5 interview requests. Same person. Same skills. Different keywords. Here's what most people don't understand about ATS systems: They're not smart. They're literal. If the job posting says "Salesforce" and your resume says "CRM software," you won't match. If they want "project management" and you wrote "managed projects," you're invisible. The ATS doesn't care about synonyms. It cares about exact matches. How to keyword-optimize your resume in 10 minutes: 1. Copy 5 job postings for your target role 2. Highlight the repeated technical terms 3. Count which skills appear most frequently 4. Replace your generic terms with their specific language 5. Use their exact phrasing, not your interpretation Stop writing your resume in your language. Start writing it in their language. Because the best resume in the world is useless if the ATS can't find it. Your job isn't to be creative with vocabulary. Your job is to speak the same language as the job posting. Need help identifying the right keywords for your industry? I'm offering FREE resume audits this week where I'll analyze 10 resumes and discuss all the gaps. Comment and send me your resume. Stop being invisible. Start being searchable. #Keywords #ATS #Resume #JobSearch #GetFound #ResumeWriting

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

If you're applying to jobs and not hearing back — this might be why. As a career coach, I’ve seen so many talented candidates get ignored. Not because they weren’t qualified. But because they didn’t use the right words. Here’s the truth: Recruiters use Boolean search in LinkedIn and ATS platforms. We literally type in keywords from the job description to find candidates. If your resume or profile doesn’t include those keywords… We may never even see you. Here’s how to fix it: Step 1: Find 3–5 job posts you’d love → Look at how they describe tools, responsibilities, outcomes Step 2: Write down repeating keywords → Examples: “lifecycle marketing,” “Agile methodology,” “SQL,” “talent acquisition” Step 3: Use those keywords naturally in your resume & LinkedIn → Not copy-paste — apply them where they match your real experience Instead of: “Worked on email campaigns” Say: “Managed lifecycle campaigns using Hubspot and A/B testing — improved retention by 18%” Where to use them: → Resume summary → Top job bullets → LinkedIn headline & About section → Skills section This isn’t gaming the system. It’s helping your skills get seen. Have you tried this strategy before? Did it work for you? Let’s share tips in the comments #JobSearch #ResumeTips #LinkedInStrategy #ATSResume #CareerAdvice #BooleanSearch #RecruiterTips #JobHunt #PersonalBranding #VisibilityMatters

75% of job applicants in major companies “phase out” because they don’t pass the initial ATS screening. Here’s how to make your resume ATS-friendly Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) electronically scans your resume, scores your qualifications based on the job description, and ranks your application. Here is how to make your resume ATS compatible. 1️⃣ Tailor Your Resume ✔️Customize your resume for each position. ✔️Use keywords and exact phrases from the job description throughout your resume and online application. ✔️Only abbreviate terms if they are also abbreviated in the job description. 2️⃣ Use Common Section Headers ✔️Use familiar terms like Education, Work Experience, and Leadership Skills. 3️⃣ Include a Keyword-Rich Summary ✔️ Craft a summary statement utilizing keywords from the job description and common language from similar LinkedIn profiles. ————————— Formatting tips —————————- 1️⃣ Keep It Simple ✔️Avoid headers, footers, tables, templates, borders, lines, symbols (bullet points are fine), shading, fancy fonts, and colors other than black. 2️⃣ Date Formatting ✔️ Write out months and years so they are readable by ATS systems. 3️⃣ File Type ✔️ Use .docx or .pdf: Most ATS can read .docx and .pdf files But some may have trouble with .pdf. When in doubt, opt for .docx. (Word document) 4️⃣ Use ATS Tools ✔️ Use tools like DAXTRA or RESUNATE to check your resume for ATS compatibility. ————————— Pro Tips: ♳ Always tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. ♴ Use keywords naturally and contextually within your resume. ✔︎ Keep the formatting clean and straightforward for optimal ATS reading. ✔︎ Utilize tools and referrals to enhance your chances of passing the ATS screening. ♻️ Repost for others :) New here? Follow and hit the bell icon 🔔 #ResumeTips #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #ATSOptimization #ProfessionalDevelopment