Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structured data. They reject resumes with odd formatting or missing fields.
For an Inventory Control Coordinator, ATS looks for terms like "inventory management","cycle counts","SKU","WMS","ERP (SAP, Oracle)","barcode","FIFO","LIFO","reconciliation","root cause analysis","Excel","SQL","safety stock","forecasting","KPIs" and relevant certifications.
- Use standard headings like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills".
- List tools and methods exactly as job listings show, like "Cycle Count" or "SAP Inventory Management".
- Avoid tables, columns, headers, footers, images, and text boxes.
Keep fonts simple and readable. Use Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save as .docx or PDF unless the job asks for one format.
Write clear, keyword-rich bullets. Start each bullet with an action verb and add metrics when possible, like "reduced stock variance 18%".
Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms. Don’t hide dates or contact info in headers or footers.
Also avoid relying on graphics or complex layouts. Those elements often cause ATS to skip details or misread sections.