Applicant Tracking Systems Are Here to Stay
- Frank Manfre
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
Roughly 90% of employers use AI in the form of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to to filter or rank resumes according to the World Economic Forum; some even using it for initial screening interviews. This makes optimizing a résumé for (ATS) is crucial today. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to write one that both passes ATS filters and appeals to human recruiters once it gets through:
Start With the Job Description
Analyze the posting carefully. Identify keywords and phrases—especially skills, qualifications, and software names.
Focus on nouns (e.g., “project management,” “Python,” “budget forecasting”) and verbs (e.g., “led,” “developed,” “implemented”).
If the posting mentions “strategic planning” three times, your résumé should too — naturally and contextually.
Match Keywords Exactly
ATS filters often look for exact matches, not synonyms. Write:
“Salesforce CRM management” if the job says that — not “customer database experience.”
“B.A. in Communications” instead of “Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies” (unless the latter matches exactly).
Use a Simple, ATS-Friendly Format
Use a standard layout - no tables, text boxes, columns, or fancy graphics and stick to common section titles:
Summary or Professional Profile
Experience
Education
Skills
Certifications
Be sure to save your résumé as a .docx or PDF (text-based, not scanned).
Include a Clear “Skills” Section
ATS often ranks based on keyword density.
Create a concise “Core Competencies” or “Skills” section near the top.
Use bullet points or a simple list (not comma-separated text in a paragraph).
Use Standard Job Titles
Even if your company used unique titles (e.g., “Customer Success Hero”), convert it to a standard equivalent (e.g., “Customer Success Manager”) for ATS parsing.
You can list both: Customer Success Hero (Customer Success Manager)
Quantify Achievements
When ATS passes your résumé to a recruiter, numbers make your impact clear. Use measurable results:
“Increased sales by 25% in 6 months”.
“Reduced project delivery time by 30%”.
“Trained 15 new team members on new software systems”.
Mirror the Language
Use the same tense, order, and phrasing style as the job description where appropriate.
Example: If the posting says:
“Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver client solutions.”
Then include something like: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver customized client solutions.”
Optimize for Readability
Even ATS systems are getting more advanced (some use AI to score writing clarity).
Use short, direct bullet points.
Avoid overusing buzzwords like “results-driven” or “self-starter.”
Keep it 1 - 2 pages max.
Use an Online ATS Scanner
Before applying, test your résumé with a free ATS-checker that will compare your résumé directly to the job description and show keyword match percentage and missing skills. Here are three ATS-checker sites:
Tailor Your Resume for Each Application
A generic résumé might pass some filters but won’t score highly. Your best strategy: is to customize each submission - especially the summary, title, and top 10 - 15 keywords.
While we would all prefer to interact with a human, especially when seeking a job that's a great fit with solid compensation and a high Psychic Salary® , but ATS is here to stay so it behooves one to know how it functions.
Frank Manfre
Job Search Sherpa
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