The ideal resume does two things at once: it passes through automated screening systems and holds the attention of a human recruiter. Striking this balance is the key to moving forward in today’s hiring process.
Here is how to write a resume that aligns with both audiences.
1. Focus on Readability First
Before optimizing for any system, your resume needs to be easy to read and understand. This means:
- Using clear, standard section headers (e.g. Summary, Experience, Skills, Education)
- Maintaining consistent formatting: left-aligned text, uniform bullet points, matching date styles
- Avoiding design elements that might confuse either bots or people (e.g. text boxes, graphics, columns)
The layout should let someone scan your resume in under 30 seconds and find the key takeaways immediately.
2. Write with Clarity and Precision
Each bullet point should highlight an action and a result. Vague responsibilities should be replaced with specific accomplishments.
- Weak: “Managed social media channels”
- Strong: “Increased engagement by 25% over 6 months by optimizing posting schedules and content strategy”
Use metrics where possible to communicate impact. If you cannot quantify something, describe the scope or frequency instead.
3. Incorporate Relevant Keywords
Scan the job description for recurring phrases and tools. These are your keywords. Integrate them into your experience, skills, and summary sections naturally.
For example:
- From job listing: “Customer lifecycle email campaigns”
- In your resume: “Developed customer lifecycle email campaigns that improved retention by 12% over two quarters”
Use tools like Profile Spark to identify keywords that appear across similar listings and top candidate profiles.
4. Tailor Your Summary and Headline
The top third of your resume should clearly state who you are, what you bring, and what you’re aiming for. Use this space to:
- Echo the job title or core function
- Highlight years of relevant experience or certifications
- Call out one or two keywords from the job description
Example: “Marketing professional with 4+ years experience leading cross-channel campaigns in B2B SaaS. Skilled in HubSpot, copywriting, and customer segmentation.”
5. Balance Automation with Human Nuance
Writing for ATS does not mean removing all personality. Recruiters still appreciate resumes that feel purposeful and direct. Show your judgment by:
- Choosing verbs that match your level of ownership (“led” vs. “supported”)
- Grouping experiences by relevance rather than chronology if appropriate
- Including a brief explanation of any major gaps or transitions
Tools That Can Help
- Resume Markdown: Create a clean, ATS-ready layout without formatting headaches
- Resume Rank: Check how well your resume matches a specific job description
- Profile Spark: Extract real keywords from similar roles
Final Thoughts
A strong resume doesn’t chase every trend or keyword — it tells a clear story. When both ATS and humans can quickly see that story, you improve your chances of getting to the next step.
Keep it focused. Make it easy to scan. Align your language with the job. And remember: the goal is not just to get seen, but to get remembered.
