Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools employers use to sort resumes before a human reads them. They scan for keywords, dates, and section titles, and they often discard resumes with odd formatting or missing information.
For a Doughnut Machine Operator, ATS looks for keywords like doughnut fryer, batter mixing, proofing, glazing, packaging, HACCP, food safety, sanitation, mechanical troubleshooting, PLC, preventive maintenance, and quality control. Use those exact words when they match your experience.
- Use standard section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills".
- Put skills in a bulleted list with clear keywords.
- Use plain layouts, not tables, text boxes, or columns.
- Choose readable fonts like Arial or Calibri and save as .docx or simple PDF.
Avoid heavy formatting like headers, footers, images, or fancy columns. ATS can misread or drop that content. Keep dates and job titles on the same line as the company name when possible.
Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms, hiding skills in images, and relying on headers or footers for contact info. Those move crucial data out of ATS reach.
Finally, match each resume to the job posting, but keep language natural. Don't stuff keywords. Show measurable outcomes like units produced, downtime reduced, or time to repair.