Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems: 7 Tips to Pass the Screening

What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An ATS is software used by employers to scan resumes for keywords and qualifications that match job descriptions. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never reach the hiring manager.

7 Tips to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

Here are seven tips you can follow to make your resume ATS-friendly.

Tip #1: Tailor your resume for each job.

• Focus on relevant information: Highlight those experiences that directly match the job.
• Make your keywords match those used in the job posting: Incorporate terms from the job description—such as “AAC” or “bilingual.” Some examples follow.
  • Example 1
    • Job Posting Says: Experience with AAC devices required.
    • Your Resume Says: Conducted assessment and treatment with AAC devices.
  • Example 2
    • Job Posting Says: Bilingual preferred.
    • Your Resume Says: Provided bilingual therapy (Spanish and English).

Tip #2: Use bullet points to showcase your experience.

• Start each bullet with action verbs like “Facilitated,” “Led,” or “Improved.”
• Quantify results where possible.
• Example: “Facilitated evaluations and therapy plans to achieve maximum functional outcomes for patients with swallowing disorders.”

Tip #3: Highlight your skills.

Create a dedicated “Skills” section and include keywords from the job description.

• Examples:
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)
• FEES/VFSS
• CPR Certification

Tip #4: Keep the format simple.

ATS software prefers clean, straightforward formatting.

• Use: Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Use: Clear section titles like “Work Experience”—and save the file as .docx or (if allowed) .pdf.
• Avoid: Fancy fonts, colors, tables, columns, or graphics.

Tip #5: Avoid Common Mistakes

• Typos: Simply running a spellcheck won’t necessarily catch all errors; a manual review of the resume text is always recommended.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Keep dates, fonts, and text styles consistent.
• Wrong File Type: Save as .docx or .pdf to ensure compatibility with ATS.

Tip #6: Test Your Resume

Use online ATS testing tools to evaluate your resume’s compatibility with job postings. (Be sure to review privacy policies before sharing your information.)

Tip #7: Perform a Final Check

Before submitting an application, review your resume with this checklist:

Did I use keywords or key phrases that appeared in the actual job description?

Is my formatting clean and simple?

Did I check for typos and grammar mistakes?

Did I test my resume with an ATS resume grader or score checker tool?

Stand Out With an ATS-Friendly Resume

By using these strategies, you’ll increase the likelihood that your resume will pass through ATS software and reach a hiring manager. For more tips, visit the Job Seeker Toolkit—or email your questions to careerportal@asha.org.

This article was co-written by a human and Open AI. Portions were edited and generated using ChatGPT, and a human then reviewed the edits and the text before finalizing this article.