What to Put on a Resume (20+ Best Things to Include)
What to put on a resume? There are 5 must-have sections you need to include in a resume and some extra ones. Read on and learn what should be on your resume.
See what an ATS resume is and read our in-depth guide on how to write one. Use our ATS resume templates that will help you get past the scanning bots and land you a dream job.
Do you know what resumes and robots have in common? They’re likely to meet during recruitment. No, I’m not talking about a stray Roomba running over your discarded job application. I mean ATS scanners—the screening software that pre-selects job candidates.
If you want your application to end up in front of the recruiter’s eyes, you must know how to outsmart the robots. So, learn how to write an ATS resume and beat the system!
In this article, you’ll see:
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An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to manage the recruitment process. It automates the collection, sorting, and filtering of job applications. An ATS allows recruiters to screen and manage a large number of resumes efficiently.
The applicant tracking system scans your resume for job-related keywords and determines if you are a good match for the position. ATS reads your resume from left to right and top to bottom, so it prefers resumes with a well-organized structure and an easy-to-read text layer.
The goal is simple. You want to have an ATS-compliant resume. But what is it?
An ATS resume is designed to pass the applicant tracking systems. You can ensure your resume is ATS-compliant by using standard sections, fonts, keywords, and simple formatting. If your resume doesn't pass the ATS test, it'll never reach a human recruiter.
And no one wants that. Especially since 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software. You’d be waiting for a job interview invite from them forever. So, let’s make sure your resume passes through the ATS ten out of ten times. Here are the steps to write a job-winning resume:
You might be tempted to make a visually striking resume with lots of pictures and graphs. An infographic resume might work on a human recruiter, but it will flop during an ATS scan. Which is why you want your resume layout to be clear and readable.
Here are the guidelines for making an ATS-compliant resume format:
Once the layout is set, it’s time to start writing your resume. Remember that ATSs will be comparing the content of your resume to the original job posting. To qualify as a match, an ATS-compliant resume must contain the right number of words and phrases from the offer.
You can use a tool like the Text Analyzer to locate the specific keywords from the job ad. With a list of keywords that your potential employer expects to see, writing an ATS resume becomes much easier.
Here are the rules for creating a targeted resume that’s ATS-compliant:
Allow me to hammer the point home. Keywords are absolutely essential. And they need to be repeated verbatim. If the job ad says you need teamworking skills, you add “Teamworking Skills,” not “Able to work well in a group.” You don’t want to end up as a “Hidden Worker” who got labeled as a “poor fit” because you named your skills differently than what was written in the job posting.
Expert Hint: A resume headline is a good and quick way to check several of the above boxes. Consider using it to add some extra impact to your ATS resume.
We began ensuring readability from the very beginning by using a clean and straightforward format. But once everything is laid out on your resume, we can do yet another final check. Just copy the entirety of your resume and paste it into Notepad. If all the information is readable in a .txt format, there is a very good chance ATS scans will parse your resume with zero problems.
As for the file type in which you should send your resume, you have two main options. You can either use a PDF or DOC resume type. Using a PDF can be advantageous because it preserves formatting across different devices, ensuring your resume looks consistent. It also prevents unintended alterations.
On the other hand, using a DOC file, specifically in .docx format, is generally more ATS-friendly because all they contain is just plain text. However, this is mostly true for the old Applicant Tracking Systems. So, we recommend you send your ATS resume in a PDF format, unless the company specifically asks for a different file type.
We understand that making a 100% ATS resume can be a tall order. That’s why we have a simple solution. Our ATS-friendly resume templates! They take the hassle of preparing an ATS-compliant format, letting you get to writing straight away. Below are a few templates from our selection.
Expert Hint: In many cases, you’re going to be sending your resume via email. But, what should you write in it? A “hello, here’s my resume” is not a good idea. See what to write in an email when sending a resume.
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Take a look at a selection of our ATS resume templates. Each of them has been designed by a team of professional resume writers, HR experts, and graphic designers. They’ve been specifically created to be both ATS-compliant and recruiter-friendly.
This ATS-friendly resume template has a two-column layout that allows you to fit a lot of information on a single page. The sidebar is perfect for holding additional information such as known languages, or certifications for your resume. Cascade is one of our most popular designs ever.
The name says it all: this classic template features a one-column layout and no frills. The subtle use of color helps to separate and highlight each resume section. It’s a great choice if you’re aiming for a two-page resume, and it’s also a popular ATS template for academic CVs.
Diamond is an ATS-friendly resume that has an infographic-like timeline, which gives the document a nice flow and directs the reader’s eye from top to bottom. It also features a large bar on top that makes your contact information unmissable.
Professional doesn’t mean boring, and this ATS-friendly resume template proves it. The subtle addition of resume icons helps navigate the document with ease.
Initials is an ATS-friendly resume template that gives you a lot of room for your professional accomplishments. And once it gets through the screening, it’s certain to catch the recruiter’s eye with the professional-looking auto-generated logo.
Expert Hint: Not all online resume builders are ATS friendly. Some free resume templates may include visual elements that can’t be read by ATS scans. This means that they will be rejected. Go for templates that don’t feature excessive imagery.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Here’s the summary of how to write an ATS resume:
How did you like our article on the ATS resume? Do you have any helpful tips you’d like to share? Let’s talk about it in the comments below, and, as always, thanks for reading!
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An ATS-friendly resume's goal is to pass through applicant tracking systems. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you should use easy-to-scan resume formatting and include resume keywords from the job ad. You should also remove any images and tables, as they might confuse the applicant tracking system.
To create an ATS-friendly resume, use a clean resume layout, include relevant keywords from the job ad. Stick to standard section headings like "Work Experience" and "Skills." Submit it in DOC, or PDF formats. Proofread thoroughly to avoid errors that can confuse the ATS and harm your chances.
The applicant tracking system scans your resume for job-related keywords and determines if you are a good match for the position. That means you're doomed to fail if you're not using an optimized ATS resume template.
Create a targeted resume. Review the job description and identify essential keywords. In your work history section, provide the job title, company, location, dates of employment, and professional achievements. Use bullet points for clarity. Begin each resume bullet point with a strong action verb.
You should always verify whether your Google Docs resume, or Word resume template, is parsable by the ATS. Some are scannable, but others look like a scrambled mess when read by an algorithm. Ensure your template is fine by pasting its contents into Notepad and seeing if it's readable.
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