Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software that scan resumes for keywords and structure. They match your resume to job listings and weed out resumes that lack keywords or use odd formatting.
For a Developmental Psychologist, ATS look for terms like child development, developmental assessment, longitudinal study, observational methods, Bayley Scales, WPPSI, DSM-5, IRB approval, SPSS, R, grant writing, intervention design, and parent coaching. Include those exact terms when they match your experience.
- Use simple section titles: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Publications, Certifications.
- Write clear job titles and dates. Put skills in a plain list. Use full names for tests and tools.
Avoid complex formatting. Don’t use tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, or graphs. ATS often misread those elements and drop whole sections.
Pick readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Keep font sizes between 10 and 12 points. Save your file as a .docx or PDF unless the job asks for another format. Don’t upload a heavily designed PDF with layered elements.
Use keywords naturally in context. Show where you used a method or tool, not just list it. For example, write “conducted Bayley Scales assessments” rather than only listing “Bayley.”
Common mistakes include swapping keywords for creative synonyms, putting key info in headers or footers, and leaving out crucial certifications or tests. Those hurt your chances more than small wording choices.
Tailor each application. Read the job description and add missing keywords when they match your background. That small effort raises your odds of getting to the interview stage.