Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structured data. They parse text to match job requirements and often discard resumes with broken formatting or missing fields.
For a Program Developer, ATS looks for terms like program design, curriculum development, instructional design, needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, learning outcomes, evaluation, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), LMS, SQL, Python, and Agile. Use those words where they truly apply.
- Use standard headings: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills".
- List titles, employers, dates, and locations plainly.
- Use a simple font like Arial or Calibri.
- Save as .docx or PDF unless the job asks for one format only.
Avoid complex formatting like tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs. ATS often fails to read those elements. Put dates on the right or on the same line as the employer and title.
Match keywords naturally to the job description. If the posting mentions "LMS management" or "grant writing," include those exact phrases if you have them. Don’t swap in fancy synonyms that hide your skills.
Common mistakes include using creative section titles like "What I Do," hiding dates in headers, and relying solely on visual layouts. People also skip key tools or certifications like PMP or Certified Instructional Designer, which harms keyword match. Keep bullets clear and start them with action verbs like "designed," "led," or "evaluated."