Creating an ATS-Optimized Resume: A Must-Know for Product Managers

Ever wondered why your resume isn’t making it past the first step? It might not be you—it’s the system.

In today’s job market, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often the first hurdle between your resume and a hiring manager’s eyes. If you’re in product management or product marketing, chances are you’re familiar with optimizing processes for efficiency and success. But are you doing the same for your resume?

In this article, I’m breaking down how to create a resume that can pass through the ATS filter and into the hands of decision-makers.

What is an ATS and Why Should You Care?

An ATS is a system companies use to streamline the hiring process. It scans resumes and applications for specific keywords, filtering out those that don’t match. That means even if you’re the perfect fit for the role, your resume might never be seen if it’s not formatted correctly.

For product managers and product marketing managers, crafting a resume optimized for the ATS is just as essential as creating a roadmap for a product launch—if the foundation isn’t right, success will be hard to achieve.

3 Key Steps to Optimizing Your Resume

1. Use Simple Formatting

ATS systems struggle with overly complex formatting. Avoid graphics, tables, and images. Stick to a clean, straightforward format.

• Use a standard font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
• Avoid special characters and too many bullets. Focus on readable, scannable text.
• Stick to a single-column format.

2. Use Relevant Keywords

Just like SEO for product pages, you need to think about the keywords hiring managers are searching for. These keywords should match the job description and reflect your skills.

• Include terms like “product management,” “roadmapping,” and “go-to-market strategy” where relevant.
• Focus on hard skills, like data analysis or cross-functional team leadership.
• Use the exact language from the job posting, but make sure it feels natural.

3. Prioritize Job-Relevant Information

An ATS prioritizes relevant information. Product managers often have diverse skills, but you need to focus on what's critical for the role you’re targeting.

• Lead with relevant experience—focus on outcomes, such as how you improved a product’s time-to-market or boosted customer satisfaction.
• Quantify results: Did you increase revenue by 15%? Help the company save 10 hours per week? These metrics will stand out both to the ATS and the hiring manager.

Takeaways for Product Managers

Product managers know the importance of being strategic. Just as you wouldn’t launch a product without user testing and validation, you shouldn’t submit a resume without optimizing it for the ATS.

• Keep it simple: Avoid complex designs that confuse ATS systems.
• Use relevant keywords: Align your resume with the job description.
• Be specific: Highlight quantifiable results that demonstrate your value.

If you can manage a product lifecycle, you can definitely manage to get your resume seen by the right people.

Please follow me on LinkedIn and share this article with your network. You can find the full blog post for more detailed tips here.