ATS resume checklist step guide for cv resume job candidates
1. Format and Structure
2. Keywords and Phrases
3. Sections to Include
- Summarize your career goals and key qualifications.
- Tailor it to the job you're applying for.
- Keep it concise, ideally 2-3 sentences.
- Start with your most recent job and work backwards.
- Include job title, company name, and dates of employment.
- Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements.
- List degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
- Mention relevant coursework related to the job.
- Include honors or distinctions if applicable.
- List relevant certifications with issuing organizations.
- Include expiration dates if applicable.
- Highlight specialized training that enhances your qualifications.
- Focus on skills that match the job description.
- Use keywords from the job posting.
- Separate technical and soft skills if beneficial.
- Include significant projects that demonstrate skills.
- Describe your role and the impact of the project.
- Use quantifiable results when possible.
- List volunteer positions relevant to the industry.
- Include organization names, roles, and dates.
- Emphasize skills gained or contributions made.
- List awards with dates and granting organizations.
- Focus on recognitions that highlight your qualifications.
- Include relevant honors from work or education.
- List publications with titles, dates, and where published.
- Include presentations at conferences or workshops.
- Highlight relevance to the job or industry.
- Include memberships in industry-related organizations.
- Mention positions held if applicable.
- Highlight active involvement and contributions.
- List software and tools relevant to the position.
- Group skills by category for clarity.
- Indicate proficiency levels when appropriate.
- List languages and specify proficiency levels.
- Indicate if fluent, conversational, or basic.
- Highlight relevance to the job or company.
- Include hobbies that reflect skills or teamwork.
- Avoid overly personal or controversial topics.
- Show personality while remaining professional.
- List references with contact information if space allows.
- Otherwise, state that references are available on request.
- Ensure references are aware they may be contacted.
4. Content Specifics
- Create clear, concise bullet points.
- Limit each bullet to one idea.
- Use a uniform bullet style throughout.
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb.
- Ensure adequate spacing between bullets.
- Describe how your actions led to positive outcomes.
- Use metrics to back up results.
- Showcase improvements or innovations you initiated.
- Prioritize achievements over duties.
- Relate results to company goals or objectives.
- Review the job description carefully.
- Align your skills and experiences with the role.
- Use keywords from the job posting in your resume.
- Adjust your summary and bullet points accordingly.
- Highlight the most relevant experiences.
- Identify key skills mentioned in the job ad.
- List those skills prominently in your resume.
- Provide examples of how you’ve used these skills.
- Prioritize skills based on importance to the role.
- Keep skills section updated as needed.
- Research common terms in your field.
- Incorporate relevant acronyms and jargon.
- Ensure clarity and understanding for ATS systems.
- Avoid overloading with jargon; maintain readability.
- Use terminology that resonates with hiring managers.
- Select strong, descriptive action verbs.
- Avoid repetitive use of the same verbs.
- Keep verbs consistent in tense.
- Use verbs that convey leadership and initiative.
- Emphasize contributions with impactful verbs.
- Eliminate the use of 'I' or 'my'.
- Use a formal tone throughout your resume.
- Write in the third person implicitly.
- Focus on achievements and qualifications.
- Maintain professionalism in all descriptions.
- Limit each bullet point to 1-2 lines.
- Avoid unnecessary details or filler words.
- Be direct and to the point.
- Focus on clarity and impact.
- Use concise language to convey meaning.
- List your most recent job first.
- Include dates of employment for each position.
- Highlight relevant job titles and companies.
- Ensure consistency in formatting dates.
- Provide clear timelines for career progression.
- Use past tense for all prior positions.
- Use present tense for your current job.
- Double-check for tense consistency throughout.
- Review each section for tense accuracy.
- Maintain a professional tone in verb usage.
- Use specific metrics to quantify your impact.
- Include statistics relevant to your role.
- Provide context for the metrics you include.
- Use metrics to demonstrate growth or efficiency.
- Highlight achievements through quantitative data.
- List certifications related to the job.
- Include training programs that add value.
- Present certifications prominently in a section.
- Provide dates of completion for relevance.
- Ensure all listed certifications are current.
- List volunteer roles that showcase skills.
- Include internships that relate to the job.
- Highlight relevant responsibilities and achievements.
- Treat volunteer work as professional experience.
- Be concise and relevant in descriptions.
5. Contact Information
- Place your full name prominently at the top of the resume.
- Use a professional email address, avoiding nicknames or random numbers.
- List a phone number including the area code for easy contact.
- Include a LinkedIn profile or personal website link if relevant.
- Ensure your email is clear and professional to enhance readability.
- Record a voicemail greeting that is concise and professional.
- Mention your city and state for local opportunities, omit full address.
- Include professional social media links if they demonstrate your expertise.
- Regularly verify that all contact information is up-to-date and accurate.
Use in Manifestly