Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, scan resumes for role-specific keywords and structured data. They sort, rank, and filter candidates before a human ever reads your resume. If your resume lacks the right terms or uses odd formatting, the ATS can skip key details.
For a Fab Operations Technician you must include technical terms the systems expect. Use words like lithography, etch, CVD, PVD, CMP, wafer handling, cleanroom, metrology, SEM, SPC, SOP, EHS, and specific equipment names.
- Use standard headers like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills".
- Put certifications and safety training under Education or Certifications.
- List tools and processes in a Skills or Technical Skills section.
Avoid complex layouts. Don’t use tables, columns, headers, footers, images, or text boxes. ATS often misread those elements and drop content.
Pick readable fonts like Arial or Calibri and use 10–12 point size. Save as a clean .docx or readable PDF. Don’t upload heavily designed files with lots of graphics.
Don’t replace exact keywords with creative synonyms. If a job asks for "wafer handling," don’t write only "substrate transport." Also don’t hide dates or roles in headers or footers.
Finally, tailor each resume to the job posting. Pull keywords and match them naturally in your bullets and skills. Keep sentences short and clear so both humans and ATS parse your achievements.