Taylor and I have spent so much time on this, and I've got to share what we've learned. After looking at hundreds of resumes, collaborating on countless reviews, watching hours of video content from greats like Anthony Mays and Symone B, and getting feedback from other people who spend their days looking over candidate applications, one thing becomes crystal clear. A single theme rings true, no matter the industry or role: ATS.
That's right, the Applicant Tracking System. It’s the one thing everyone wants to know how to beat, and for good reason.
So, what is this mysterious system? Think of it as a robot gatekeeper. Most companies use this software to scan, sort, and filter your resume before a human ever lays eyes on it. It's the digital bouncer deciding if you're on the list or not. If you've ever felt like your application just vanished into thin air, you've probably had a run-in with an ATS. It doesn't care how perfect you are for the job; if your resume isn't formatted in a way it can understand, it gets tossed.
But don't sweat it! Getting past the bots is easier than you think. Here are five simple hacks to create an ATS-friendly resume that gets you noticed in 2025.
Step 1: Lead with the Obvious Stuff
This one sounds like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people miss it. The ATS needs to know immediately that you're a match.
Slap the Job Title on Top: Right under your name and contact info, put the exact job title you're applying for. Applying to be a "Senior Business Analyst"? Make that your headline. It's the quickest way to say, "Hey, I belong here!"
Add Your Top 3 Skills: Right below that title, list a trio of your most relevant skills. Think of it as a movie trailer for your career. Pull them straight from the job description—if they want Data Analysis and Stakeholder Management, give it to them upfront.
Stumped on which skills to pick? Let AI be your sidekick.
AI Prompt: Pop this into ChatGPT or Gemini: "Can you pull the top 5-10 most important keywords and skills from this job description?" Paste the description, and boom—you have your list.
Step 2: Make it a Highlight Reel, Not a To-Do List
Nobody wants to read a boring list of your old job duties. The ATS and the hiring manager are looking for your greatest hits. It's time to brag a little (but with numbers to back it up).
Focus on What Matters: Your summer job from ten years ago probably isn't relevant for that senior-level role. Keep your resume focused on recent, relevant experience. Anything else is just clutter.
Add Numbers to Your Wins: Don't just say what you did; show the impact you made. Turn your boring bullet points into awesome achievements.
For example, instead of: "Managed project timelines." Try this: "Slashed project delivery time by 30% and saved the company $50,000 a year."
See? Way more impressive. If your bullet points feel a little dull, get some AI help.
AI Prompt: Try this: "Can you rewrite these bullet points to sound more impactful and results-driven?"
Step 3: Keep it Clean & Simple (For the Robots)
This is where you have to forget everything you know about cool design. Fancy fonts, slick graphics, and creative layouts are the enemy of the ATS. The robot can't read them, and your resume will get tossed.
Boring is Better: Stick to standard, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Cambria. Keep the font size at 11 points or higher.
Use Normal Headings: Don't get cute with section titles. Use "Work Experience," not "My Epic Career Journey." The ATS looks for standard terms.
No Funny Business: Avoid tables, columns, images, and special characters. A clean, single-column layout is your best friend.
Save it Right: Send your resume as a Word doc (.docx) or a basic PDF to be safe.
Step 4: Keywords are Your Secret Weapon
The job description isn't just a list of requirements; it's your cheat sheet. The ATS is programmed to scan for the exact keywords and phrases found in that description.
Your mission is to use those keywords naturally throughout your resume. Don't just stuff them in a list at the bottom. Weave them into your bullet points where you describe your achievements. If the company is looking for "cross-functional team leadership," your bullet point should say something like: "Led a cross-functional team to launch a new product, increasing market share by 15% in the first quarter."
AI Prompt: Not sure if you've tailored it enough? Ask your AI: "Based on this job description, how can I better tailor my resume to match what they're looking for?"
Step 5: Don't Forget to Sound Human!
Okay, you've made it past the robot bouncer. Congrats! But now your resume is in front of a real person, and they need to feel a connection. This is where you inject some personality and passion.
Your resume shouldn't just be a collection of facts; it should tell a story. Use strong, energetic action verbs and show a little bit of who you are.
For instance, instead of: "Led a team to improve project delivery." Try something with more punch: "Spearheaded a high-energy team project that streamlined our process, cutting delivery time by 30% and boosting client happiness."
That second one sounds like someone they'd actually want to work with, right?
Putting It All Together
So, there you have it. Writing a resume for 2025 is a two-part game: first, you have to satisfy the robots with a clean format and the right keywords. Then, you have to wow the human with your incredible achievements and compelling story.
It might seem like a lot, but these small tweaks can be the difference between getting ghosted and landing that dream interview. By leading with your target title, creating a highlight reel, keeping the design simple, using the right keywords, and adding that personal touch, you're building a resume that can't be ignored.
You've got this!
Now, which one of these tips are you going to try first? Let me know!
-Jason
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