Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank and filter candidates before any human reads your Programmer Analyst resume.
ATS look for role-specific terms like SQL, PL/SQL, Java, C#, .NET, REST APIs, ETL, data modeling, Agile, SDLC, UML, Oracle, MS SQL Server, performance tuning, and version control (Git). They also check for certifications or methods such as Scrum, PMP, or ITIL.
Follow these best practices:
- Use clear section titles: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", "Certifications".
- Drop complex layout: avoid tables, columns, headers, footers, images, and text boxes.
- List skills as keywords and short phrases, not long paragraphs.
- Keep dates and company names on the same line as roles.
- Use common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and save as .docx or plain PDF.
Avoid these common mistakes. Don’t swap exact keywords for creative synonyms. Don’t hide skills in images or charts. Don’t rely on headers or footers for contact info. Don’t omit tools central to the role, like SQL or REST APIs.
When you tailor your resume, copy relevant keywords from each job posting into your Skills and Experience sections. Keep phrasing natural, and match job wording where it fits.