Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, scan resumes for keywords and structure. They help hiring teams sort candidates quickly. For a Facilities Manager, ATS filter can reject resumes that lack key facility terms or use odd formatting.
Use clear section titles like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills". Add job-specific keywords naturally. For Facilities Manager include HVAC, preventive maintenance, CMMS, vendor management, budget forecasting, OSHA, NFPA, LEED, building automation systems, energy management, and space planning.
- Use plain text sections and bullet lists.
- Include measurable achievements and dates.
- List software and certifications by name, such as "Building Management System (BMS)" or "EPA Lead-Safe".
Avoid complex layouts. Don’t use tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, or embedded graphs. Those elements often break ATS parsing.
Pick standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save in .docx or PDF unless the job asks for a specific format. Keep file names simple and include your name.
Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms. For instance, writing "building care" instead of "facility management" can cost you a match. Other errors include hiding dates in headers or leaving out certifications such as OSHA 30 or CMMS experience.
Always mirror the language from the job posting. If the role asks for "preventive maintenance programs" use that phrase. If it asks for "vendor contract negotiation," include that exact phrase when true.