Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software that employers use to filter resumes. For a Protohistorian, optimizing your resume for ATS is crucial because these systems scan for keywords and specific formatting. If your resume is hard to read or lacks relevant terms, it could be rejected before a human even sees it.
To optimize your resume, start with standard section titles like 'Work Experience', 'Education', and 'Skills'. Incorporate keywords from Protohistorian job descriptions, such as 'archaeological methods', 'historical analysis', and 'artifact conservation'. Avoid fancy formatting like tables or columns, as ATS may struggle to parse them.
Use a readable font and save your resume in PDF or .docx formats, steering clear of heavily designed files. Some common mistakes include using creative synonyms that ATS might not recognize, depending on complex formatting, and leaving out critical keywords related to skills or certifications.