Many organizations use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software as a screening tool that scans resume content for key words which helps them to quickly process a large volume of resumes received. These key words are both hard and soft skills, requirements, and qualifications essential for the job and are usually found from job postings or by conducting an online search. Qualified applicants are often auto-rejected due to their resumes not containing those key words.

A recruiter will conduct a six-second scan of your resume therefore, it will need to stand out and generate enough interest for you to be selected for an interview. Qualified applicants are often overlooked due to their poorly written resumes. 

General resumes geared to multiple positions containing unnecessary or irrelevant information

Poor formatting

Unprofessional email address

Personal details and photos

Typos, spelling, and grammatical errors

Incorrect verb tense usage

Content is written in third person

Void of achievements or accomplishments

Acronyms are not spelled out

Elements that should not be included, such as References