

Don’t Steal the Job Description’s Exact Wording To ensure your resume makes it past the ATS and into the hands of a human, keep your formatting simple, include the right keywords (but don’t go overboard), and quadruple check for spelling mistakes. The systems scan your resume for contextual keywords and phrases, mathematically scoring them for relevance and sending only the most qualified ones through for human review.Īs you can guess, this strategy isn’t perfect. Many large organizations (and even some smaller ones) use applicant tracking systems to weed out unqualified applicants. Do Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems Whether you’re fresh out of college or switching to a brand-new industry, you can help bolster your lack of relevant work experience by listing your transferable skills, related side projects, and relevant coursework. Don’t Freak Out if You Have No Relevant Experience Make it easy for the hiring manager to see why you’re the right fit.Ģ. After all, your resume should demonstrate you have the specific set of skills, experience, and accomplishments necessary to do the job-not just a set.

Rule #1 of resume writing is that you should be turning in a different version for each role you apply to, tailored and targeted to the position.

Do Highlight Your Most Relevant Experiences Take a look, then pull up your resume and make sure it’s recruiter-ready.ġ. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list of resume dos and don’ts, from the traditional rules to the brand-spanking-new ones.
