How to Format Your Resume to Beat the ATS and Get Noticed by Hiring Managers

Did you know that the average job listing receives around 250 resumes—but only 4 to 6 candidates typically get invited for an interview? Standing out in a crowded hiring market is essential. Two critical ways to do this are by personal branding and optimizing your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Here are my expert tips to help your resume work harder for you and land in front of a real hiring manager.

Personal Branding: Make Your Resume Speak “You”

Hiring managers spend just 6 to 8 seconds on an initial resume scan. Yep-seconds, not minutes. That’s why it’s important to capture their attention immediately.

Include a concise “About” section right below your name and contact info. The “About” section on a resume is prime real estate—it should do more than just state experience. It’s your secret sauce, your personal elevator pitch, and the best ones quickly answer who you are, what you do well, and what you’re aiming for, all while hinting at your personality or values.

Here are some examples tailored for marketing roles:

• Marketing strategist who bridges creative storytelling with analytics to deliver campaigns that drive growth. Passionate about brand development, cross-functional teamwork, and turning insights into action.

• Started my career writing social captions for a startup—now I lead multi-channel campaigns with 7-figure budgets. I thrive on translating brand voice into impact and am looking to scale that impact with a forward-thinking team. 

• Detail-obsessed and data-driven, I’m a senior marketer who believes that great strategy starts with listening. I bring over 6 years of experience in digital marketing and brand management, and I’m excited to contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team.

Another great way to showcase your personality on your resume is by adding sections like Extracurricular Activities, Volunteer Leadership, or Proficiencies. Just make sure whatever you include highlights qualities or experiences that add value to the role—for example, participating in sports can demonstrate strong teamwork skills.

Knowing how to succinctly articulate your personal brand-what makes you you-is important, and something that is also incredibly handy #IRL-whether creating your LinkedIn profile, networking or interviewing.

Optimize Your Resume for ATS: Get Past the Digital Gatekeeper

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. To beat the ATS, your resume needs to be both readable and keyword-rich.

• Use a Clean, Simple Format - Avoid fancy templates with graphics, tables, or columns. These confuse ATS software. Instead, stick to a straightforward, text-based layout with clearly defined sections like Summary, Skills, Experience, and Education. Use standard headings—don’t get creative with labels like “What I’ve Done” instead of “Work Experience.”

• Optimize with Keywords - Carefully read the job description and include relevant keywords throughout your resume. If the posting mentions “project management,” make sure that exact phrase appears in your resume—ideally in the Skills section and within your job descriptions. However, avoid keyword stuffing; the goal is to sound natural and qualified.

• Use Standard Fonts and File Types - Stick to easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana, Trebuchet MS are popular (I like Helvetica personally). Submit your resume as a .docx or PDF only if the job application specifies it accepts PDFs—some ATS software can't parse them correctly.

• Avoid Headers, Footers, and Charts - Important content placed in headers or footers might get ignored by ATS. Similarly, charts and graphs are often unreadable by these systems and should be avoided.

• Include Both Acronyms and Full Phrases - For example, write “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” to cover all bases. This helps ensure your resume is picked up regardless of how the job post phrases it.

By formatting your resume with ATS in mind, you increase your chances of making it to the next step—getting seen by an actual person who can appreciate your experience and skills.

My Final Tips for Resume Success

• Customize your resume for each job: Treat your resume as a living document—don't be afraid to update your About and Skills sections to match each role.

  • PRO-TIP: If you do this, keep track of which resume you send to each job posting: this way when you snag the interview, you can speak to the version the interviewer received.

• Network consistently: Build relationships in your target industry before you’re job hunting. Engage with posts, share useful content, and connect meaningfully. Click HERE for more tips.

• Make a personal connection: Whenever possible, reach out to the hiring manager or someone in your network to share your enthusiasm for the role.

• Stay persistent: Job searching is a numbers game—you only need one “yes.” Trust the process and keep applying.

• Send thank-you notes: Always follow up after interviews with a polite thank-you within 24 hours, even if you decide the role isn’t right for you. Life is long, and the world is small. You never know who you might run into again, so always leave a great impression!

If you want professional resume help to boost your chances and stand out from the crowd, email me at ashleigh@yourpowerhour.com to schedule a FREE 20-minute call. Let’s work together to get your resume in front of the right people—and get you hired faster!