Tip 1: Mirror the exact keyword, not the synonym
You write "machine learning." The JD says "ML." They mean the same thing. Many ATS systems don't know that. The fix: use the exact term from the JD. When in doubt, include both variants.
Tip 2: Put keywords in context, not just the skills section
A keyword in your skills section scores lower than the same keyword in an experience bullet with context. "Built customer dashboard in React + TypeScript with GraphQL API, reducing page load by 40%" scores higher than just "React, TypeScript, GraphQL" in skills.
Tip 3: Your most recent role carries the most weight
ATS systems assume recency = relevance. Your most recent job's bullets should be the most densely packed with relevant keywords for the roles you're targeting.
Tip 4: Use the right file format (and test it)
PDF is generally safe — but only if the text is selectable. Test yours: open the PDF, try to click and highlight the text. Word documents (.docx) parse more reliably in some older systems.
Tip 5: Format your dates consistently
ATS systems need to calculate your seniority and employment gaps. Pick one format and use it everywhere: "January 2022 – Present" parses most reliably across systems.
Tip 6: Write out acronyms (once)
Write "Natural Language Processing (NLP)" the first time, then use NLP. This covers systems that search for either the acronym or the full term.
Tip 7: Check your score before you submit
With Applyr's free ATS checker, you paste your resume and the job description and see your match score in 8 seconds. Target: 75%+ before submitting.