A resume is a concise document that summarizes your education, work experience, skills, and accomplishments relevant to the job opening for which you want to apply. Your resume document should be detailed and specific to the job opening itself by including keywords and skills listed in the posting. In the resources below, you'll learn more about developing a resume that meets Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software requirements. Many employers use ATS to screen resumes before a human recruiter ever sees them. These systems scan resumes for specific keywords, phrases, and formatting to determine whether the candidate matches the job description. A well-optimized resume increases the chances of passing through the ATS filters and reaching the recruiter.
Action verb + Accomplishment + Outcome
More and more employers (and nearly all Fortune 500 companies) are using software programs, called Applicant Tracking Systems, to review resumes/applications and sort through which candidates have the required qualifications. These programs take the first review out of the hands of HR staff and will reject or send a candidate to HR for further review based on whether the document has included position keywords, work experience, and skills.
*Remember, if you're using a resume sample/template to build your document, you must develop the content so that it reflects the experience that you have. Employers can quickly detect vague "sample resume language" and it is imperative that your document is accurate. Do not fluff your document with exaggerated experience/results or mislead an employer. It can be grounds for dismissal, among other consequences.
Need Resume Help?
Email National American University Career Services at: naucareerservices@national.edu OR click HERE to schedule a meeting with Career Services on Zoom!