Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) parse resumes to find matchable text. They look for job titles, skills, dates, and keywords. If your resume lacks key terms, the ATS may reject it before a human reads it.
For an Air Hammer Operator you must match terms the employer uses. Include terms like "air hammer", "pneumatic hammer", "rivet removal", "metal forming", "panel fit-up", "blueprint reading", "tack riveting", "grinding", "tool maintenance", "OSHA 10", and "weld prep". Use exact phrases from job postings when they fit your experience.
- Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
- Use plain lists and short bullets under each job.
- Save as .docx or PDF without complex design elements.
Avoid complex formatting. Don’t use tables, columns, text boxes, headers, or footers. ATS software often skips content in those areas.
Pick readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Keep font size between 10 and 12 points. Use simple bullets and standard date formats like MM/YYYY.
Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms. For example, using "metal bashing" instead of "air hammer" will lower your match score. Another mistake is placing critical info in images or headers that ATS ignores.
Also avoid long blocks of text. Break duties into short bullets with active verbs. Quantify results like "reduced rework by 15%" when possible.