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Can the ATS Read Tables and Columns on Your Resume?

Before designing your resume, see what happens when the ATS tries to read tables and columns. You spend hours perfecting your resume layout. Two columns, maybe a table to organize your skills, and just the right amount of design to make it pop. There’s just one problem. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) don’t care how your resume looks. They’re going to strip out all that formatting. And when they hit a table or a column, things can break....

How Far Back Should Your Resume Go?

Not sure how much experience to include? Here’s how to focus on what matters, avoid age bias, and keep your resume easy for both ATS and recruiters to read One of the most common questions job seekers ask is: How far back should my resume go? Many assume their resume should include everything they’ve ever done. But there are two problems with that approach. First, recruiters don’t read resumes like biographies. They scan them like...

How to Format Dates on a Resume in 2025.

Getting your resume date format correct is essential. These dates help hiring managers and recruiters form a clear picture of your career trajectory. Hiring managers depend on dates to provide a timeline of your career, education, and skill advancement. Properly formatting the dates on your resume for consistency and readability can keep your resume from falling through the cracks. In this article, you’ll learn: How to write dates on your...

How to Follow Up After an Interview

After your resume makes it past the applicant tracking system, you are one step closer to landing a coveted job interview. There is endless advice available about exactly how you should prepare, but there is less space devoted to what you should do once an interview ends. These five guidelines will tell you exactly how to follow up after an interview. Be prompt Follow up within 24 hours. If your interview took place early in the day, try...

What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

Are you getting rejected from jobs that you’re qualified for? The reason could be that your resume isn’t optimized for the ATS. Have you applied for jobs you’re qualified for, only to hear nothing back? Your resume is strong, but the interview requests aren’t coming in. The problem might be that your resume is getting filtered out by a recruiter using an applicant tracking system (ATS). Recruiters use ATS to search for resumes that...

How to List Degrees on Your Resume

Listing your degree incorrectly can confuse recruiters, cause your resume to be overlooked by applicant tracking systems (ATS), and cost you interviews. In this guide, you will learn how to effectively format your resume for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Plus, you will learn how to list multiple degrees or in-progress education on your resume for maximum impact. How to list a degree on your resume Properly formatting your...

65 Resume Headline Examples That Help You Stand Out

Learn how to write a resume headline that helps you show up in ATS searches and makes recruiters want to read more. Recruiters don’t read resumes; they scan. If they don’t immediately see clear evidence that you’re a match, they move on. That’s why you need a resume headline. It quickly shows them you’re exactly what they’re looking for. In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a strong resume headline, what mistakes to avoid, and...

Area of Expertise: How to Add Skills to Your Resume

What is an area of expertise? It’s a set of skills or a high level of knowledge in a particular field. Whatever your area of expertise is, you should always try to highlight it on your resume. This not only shows employers what you are good at, but it also helps your resume stand out from other candidates who may have a more generalized skill set. In this article, we’ll show you how to identify your area of expertise, add it to your...

How to Navigate the Hidden Job Market

What exactly is the hidden job market? In this post, we’ll answer this question and explain how to secure positions within it. So, it’s time for you to take the next step in your career—you’re searching for a change. Maybe you want to level up in your career or just want to work somewhere new.  Where do you start with your job search? According to iHire, 49.4 percent—nearly half—of job seekers start their search on general job...

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out to Recruiters

Hiring managers take as little as 6 seconds to read your resume—less time than it takes to tie your shoelaces. In the competitive job market, it’s critical to make your resume stand out from other applicants and impress the recruiter. How do you make your resume stand out? Format, style, and content all play a role in helping you impress the hiring manager and secure an interview.  Keep reading to learn tips to make your resume stand...