Creating a resume can often feel like a daunting task. But, whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to level up your job search, having a well-crafted resume is essential. A good resume doesn’t just highlight your skills and experiences — it effectively showcases you as the perfect candidate for the job. In this blog, I’ll share some valuable tips and tricks I’ve learned in my journey of resume creation and optimization. I’ll also discuss how I achieved an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) score of over 70+ for my resume and what that means for your job search.
What is an ATS and Why Does it Matter?
Before diving into the tips, let’s quickly touch on ATS. An ATS is software used by many companies to help streamline the hiring process. It scans resumes for keywords, job-specific phrases, and other relevant information. If your resume is not optimized for ATS, it might get rejected before it even reaches the hiring manager. That’s why getting a high ATS score is critical in today’s competitive job market.
Tips and Tricks for Creating an Effective Resume:
1. Start with a Strong Header
The first thing a recruiter looks at is your name and contact information. Make sure your name stands out at the top of your resume. Follow it with your contact details such as phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio or GitHub links (if applicable). Keep this section simple and clean — no need to overcrowd it with unnecessary details like your home address.
2. Focus on Keywords and Action Verbs
As I mentioned earlier, an ATS scans your resume for keywords. So, always tailor your resume for the specific job you’re applying for. Look closely at the job description and include the same keywords related to skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Make sure to use action verbs such as “managed,” “developed,” “led,” “engineered,” or “implemented” to describe your achievements and experience.
For example, instead of saying “I was responsible for managing a team,” you could write “Led a team of 5 engineers in developing a web application.”
3. Keep it Simple with a Clean Layout
An easy-to-read format is essential. ATS systems may misread complex formatting like tables, graphics, or unusual fonts. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Keep sections clearly separated, and use bullet points to make your job responsibilities and achievements easier to read. Stick to a simple layout with clear headings for each section, such as Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications.
4. Showcase Your Skills and Achievements
When listing your skills, be specific. Don’t just say “programming skills.” Mention the specific languages, tools, and technologies you know — for example, “C++, Python, JavaScript, Node.js, React.js.”
Also, focus on achievements rather than just job duties. Quantify your accomplishments where possible. For example, rather than writing “Responsible for maintaining the company’s website,” you could write, “Maintained and improved the company’s website, increasing page load speed by 40%.”
5. Prioritize Relevant Experience
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role at the top. Make sure to highlight your most relevant experience to the job you’re applying for. If you’re a recent graduate, feel free to include any projects or internships you’ve worked on that demonstrate your skills.
As a developer, for instance, if you worked on a personal project or contributed to open-source projects, it’s crucial to include those. Mention the technologies you used and the challenges you overcame.
6. Education and Certifications
For those with limited work experience, your educational background plays a significant role. List your degree(s), university, and graduation date. Include any relevant coursework, particularly if it aligns with the job you’re applying for (e.g., “Data Structures & Algorithms” for a software development position).
Also, if you’ve completed any certifications, like AWS Certified Developer or Google Cloud Certified, be sure to list them. Certifications add credibility to your skill set and show that you’re committed to professional development.
7. Use Tools to Optimize Your Resume
In my case, I used various online tools to ensure my resume would perform well in an ATS scan. After creating my resume, I tested it with an ATS checker tool, which gave me a score of 70+. This score meant that my resume had a good chance of passing through ATS filters and reaching the recruiter.
Tools like Jobscan or Resumake allow you to optimize your resume for specific job descriptions, suggesting ways to improve keyword usage and formatting. This helps ensure that your resume gets the attention it deserves.
Why My Resume Scored 70+ in ATS?
Achieving a high ATS score doesn’t just mean having the right keywords. It’s about balancing readability with technical accuracy. Here’s what I did to get my score above 70:
Used clear and concise language: I made sure to avoid jargon and unnecessary complexity.
Tailored my resume for each job: I didn’t just send out the same resume to multiple employers. I adjusted it based on each job description.
Optimized for readability: I made sure the formatting was simple, with no images or tables, so the ATS could easily read it.
Focused on measurable achievements: Whenever possible, I quantified my results (e.g., “Reduced website load time by 30%”).
Included relevant skills: I carefully matched the skills mentioned in the job descriptions with those listed on my resume.
Final Thoughts
Creating a resume that stands out in today’s competitive job market is more than just listing your skills and experience. It’s about presenting that information in a way that both humans and automated systems can easily understand and appreciate.
By following the tips and tricks I’ve shared in this blog, and optimizing your resume for ATS, you’ll significantly improve your chances of landing interviews. Remember, your resume is a reflection of your professional brand — make sure it shines!
Need My Resume Template?
If you need help getting started or would like to use the template I created to achieve a high ATS score of 70+, feel free to reach out! You can message me on LinkedIn, and I’ll be happy to share it with you.
About Myself:
I am a passionate Software Developer with a keen interest in coding, problem-solving, and web development. I have participated in numerous hackathons and coding competitions, securing high ranks on platforms like HackerRank, Leetcode, and CodeChef.
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