Is Your Resume Getting Rejected? Fix It with This ATS Checklist!

Did you know that over 75% of resumes never make it past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? If your job applications aren’t getting responses, your resume might not be ATS-friendly. Here’s a quick checklist to optimize your resume and ensure it reaches recruiters!

? Do This to Get Past the ATS:

? Use the Right File Format: Submit your resume in .docx (Word) unless PDF is explicitly requested. Avoid .jpg, .png, or Google Docs links.

? Choose ATS-Friendly Fonts: Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana in 10-12 pt size for easy reading.

? Structure Your Resume Properly: Use clear section titles like Work Experience, Skills, and Education. Keep formatting simple—avoid tables, graphics, and columns.

? Use Keywords Wisely: Match skills and industry terms from the job description naturally in your resume. Focus on relevant hard skills rather than stuffing in generic buzzwords.

? Optimize Your Work Experience Section: List jobs in reverse chronological order, use bullet points with action verbs, and include measurable achievements.

? Include a Skills Section: Highlight technical and job-specific skills such as SEO, grant writing, or data analysis instead of soft skills like “leadership” or “communication.”

? Check ATS Compatibility: Copy-paste your resume into Notepad—if it scrambles, ATS might not read it properly! Use free ATS scanners to test it.

? Avoid These Common Mistakes:

? Fancy Formatting: Graphics, tables, headers/footers, and columns often confuse ATS software.

? Keyword Stuffing: Repeating keywords unnaturally can make your resume unreadable and get flagged.

? Unclear Section Titles: ATS recognizes standard headings like “Work Experience” but might not understand creative labels like “What I Bring.”

? Incorrect File Types: Submitting a non-ATS-friendly format means your resume won’t be processed properly.

Update your LinkedIn profile to match the optimized resume for better visibility!

Following this checklist ensures your resume is optimized for both ATS and human recruiters—increasing your chances of landing interviews!

Need help optimizing your resume?

Reply to this email, and let’s make sure your application stands out!

victoriaeunice36@gmail.com