Most online job applications are screened by ATS software before a human reviews them. This checklist covers everything you need to verify before you hit submit — so your resume reaches actual recruiters.
Formatting Checklist
- ✓ Single-column layout (no multi-column, no sidebars)
- ✓ Standard readable font: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia (11–12pt body)
- ✓ No tables, text boxes, or columns
- ✓ No headers or footers (contact info in the body only)
- ✓ No graphics, icons, or decorative images
- ✓ Consistent formatting throughout (same bullet style, same date format)
- ✓ White background, black text
File & Submission Checklist
- ✓ Saved as text-based PDF (not a scanned image)
- ✓ File name includes your name: "Jane-Smith-Resume.pdf" (no spaces)
- ✓ Under 2MB file size
- ✓ If .docx is required, use standard Word formatting only
Content Checklist
- ✓ Standard section headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications
- ✓ Keywords from the job description appear in your resume naturally
- ✓ Job titles match industry-standard terms (not internal company jargon)
- ✓ Dates formatted consistently: "Jan 2023 – Mar 2025" or "2023 – 2025"
- ✓ Contact info includes email, phone, LinkedIn
- ✓ No spelling or grammar errors
Keyword Optimization Checklist
ATS systems match your resume against the job description. The more relevant terms you include (naturally — not as a keyword dump), the higher your match score.
- ✓ Read the job description twice and underline key skills and tools mentioned
- ✓ Include those exact terms in your skills section and job bullets
- ✓ Spell out acronyms once: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"
- ✓ Include both long and short forms: "JavaScript" and "JS"
- ✓ Match the exact job title if it accurately describes your role
Final Check
Before submitting, paste your resume into a plain text editor (like Notepad). If it reads clearly from top to bottom with all information intact, it will parse correctly in an ATS.
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