Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software that scan resumes for keywords and structure.
They rank candidates by found keywords, and they can reject resumes with odd formatting or missing info.
For a Drywall Worker, ATS look for specific terms like "drywall installation," "taping," "mudding," "sanding," "sheetrock," "finishing," "corner bead," "joint compound," "drywall lift," "scaffolding," "blueprint reading," and safety certifications like "OSHA 10."
Follow these best practices:
- Use standard section headers: Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications.
- Include role-specific keywords naturally in bullets and skills.
- Keep layout simple: avoid tables, columns, headers, footers, text boxes, images, and graphs.
- Use readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10–12 points.
- Save as a clean .docx or PDF and avoid heavy design files.
Avoid common mistakes that cost you interviews.
Don’t swap keywords for creative synonyms like "wall finisher" instead of "drywall finisher."
Don’t hide key info in headers, footers, or images. ATS may ignore them.
Don’t skip tools and certifications. If a job lists "taping" and "mudding," list them.
If you follow these tips, your resume will parse correctly and match hiring needs for drywall roles.