Stop Getting Auto-Rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems
🔑 10 Must-Have Keywords for Any Industry
Job Title Keywords: Mirror the exact title from the job posting (e.g., "Project Manager" vs. "Program Lead").
Hard Skills: Tools (Excel, Salesforce) and certifications (PMP, Google Analytics).
Soft Skills: "Cross-functional collaboration," "stakeholder management."
Industry Buzzwords: "Agile," "KPIs," "ROI" (tailor to your field).
Action Verbs: "Spearheaded," "Optimized," "Scaled."
Degree/Education: Include abbreviations and full names (e.g., "MBA (Master of Business Administration)").
Location Keywords: City/state if the job is hybrid/onsite.
Company Keywords: Mention competitors or clients (e.g., "Worked with Fortune 500 retail clients").
Metrics: "%," "$," and "X+ team members" get flagged as impactful.
Hybrid Roles: Combine keywords from multiple disciplines (e.g., "Marketing + Data Analysis").
📄 Formatting Rules to Beat the Bots
✅ File Type: Save as a Word (.docx) or PDF (unless the job posting specifies otherwise).
✅ Fonts: Use Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10–12 pt).
✅ Headings: Label sections clearly (e.g., "Work Experience," not "Where I’ve Been").
✅ No Graphics/Tables: ATS can’t read text inside images or columns.
✅ Bullet Points: 3–5 per job, starting with action verbs.
✅ Margins: 0.5–1 inch (so ATS doesn’t cut off text).
✅ Page Count: 1–2 pages max (even for executives).
🚨 Red Flags That Get Your Resume Trashed
Typos: "Manger" instead of "Manager" = instant reject.
Irrelevant Jobs: Cut roles older than 10–15 years (unless critical).
Personal Pronouns: "I" or "my" wastes space—just state facts.
Uncommon Abbreviations: Spell out "SEO" first, then abbreviate.
Salary History: Never include it.
Creative Designs: Fancy templates confuse ATS. Stick to black/white.
💡 Pro Tip: Test Your Resume
Upload it to Jobscan.co or Skillroads.com for an ATS compatibility score.
🔗 Call-to-Action
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By: cc. Career Coaching
