To create a resume that has a high likelihood of being accepted by employers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), follow these best practices:
Sample Resume Template
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
LinkedIn Profile
Professional Website/Portfolio
Professional Summary
Results-oriented [Your Profession] with over [X] years of experience in [Industry/Field]. Proven track record in [Key Skills or Achievements]. Adept at [Relevant Skills], with a strong ability to [Relevant Competency]. Seeking to leverage expertise in [Specific Area] to contribute to [Company Name] as a [Job Title].
Experience
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month/Year] – [Month/Year]
- Achievement/Responsibility #1: Accomplished [Quantifiable Result or Specific Task], leading to [Impact].
- Achievement/Responsibility #2: Spearheaded [Project/Initiative], resulting in [Outcome].
- Achievement/Responsibility #3: Enhanced [Process/Function] by [Percentage/Amount], improving [Metric].
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month/Year] – [Month/Year]
- Achievement/Responsibility #1: Managed [Task/Project], achieving [Result].
- Achievement/Responsibility #2: Developed [Strategy/Plan] that [Benefit].
- Achievement/Responsibility #3: Coordinated [Activity/Process], improving [Metric/Outcome].
Education
[Degree Earned]
[Institution Name], [City, State]
[Month/Year of Graduation]
- Relevant Coursework: [Coursework Related to Job]
- Honors: [Honors or Distinctions]
Skills
- Technical Skills: [Skill #1], [Skill #2], [Skill #3]
- Soft Skills: [Skill #1], [Skill #2], [Skill #3]
- Certifications: [Certification Name] (if applicable)
Awards and Honors (optional)
- [Award/Honor Name] – [Date]
- [Award/Honor Name] – [Date]
Professional Affiliations (optional)
- [Association Name] – [Role/Title] (if applicable)
Volunteer Work (optional)
[Role]
[Organization Name], [City, State]
[Month/Year] – [Month/Year]
- Contribution #1: [Describe what you did and its impact].
- Contribution #2: [Describe any other relevant activities or outcomes].
Tips for Optimization
- Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description to help your resume pass through ATS filters.
- Quantify Achievements: Use numbers, percentages, or other quantifiable measures to showcase your impact.
- Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs (e.g., “Led,” “Implemented,” “Developed”).
- Tailor for Each Job: Customize your resume for each position by emphasizing the most relevant experience and skills.
- Keep it Concise: Aim for one page if you’re early in your career, or two pages if you have extensive experience.
- Professional Design: Use a clean, professional design with clear headings and bullet points. Avoid overly complex formatting that can confuse ATS systems.
- Proofread: Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
By following this template and optimizing it according to the specific job you’re applying for, you’ll increase your chances of your resume being accepted by both human reviewers and ATS.