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Resume How-To Guide

How to: Resumes — Introduction

How to: Format Your Resume

How to: Improve Your Resume's Content

Quick Resume Tips:

The Center provides many resources to help you create your resume.  As you are writing it, we encourage you to check out the following helpful guides:

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Artificial Intelligence

Systems that utilize artificial intelligence are used throughout the job and internship search process. Many organizations, including the federal government, use software known as an applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify applicants who either appear qualified or unqualified for the available position. Only qualified candidates will be moved to the recruiter or hiring manager. 

Luckily, there are several techniques you can put in place to try to move past an ATS and get in the hands of the hiring manager

Utilize Specific Keywords Found in the Job Description

When updating your resume to apply to an opportunity, read through the internship or job description with high attention to detail. Highlight the keywords and qualifications that you have prior experience with through part-time jobs, internships, major class projects, student organization involvement, military experience, and more. You should then incorporate this language into your resume.

EXAMPLE:

Resume Example using specific keywords found in the job description

Other Considerations for Working with Applicant Tracking Systems

  • Use both long-form and acronym versions of keywords (e.g., User Experience (UX) for maximum searchability
  • Avoid tables or columns on your resume, as they may cause major parsing errors
  • Some ATS systems are unable to read past horizontal lines; consider removing 
  • Use traditional resume fonts like Helvetica or Georgia
  • Avoid headers or footers as the information may get lost or cause a parsing error
  • Use mostly standard resume section headings (i.e., Work Experience; Design Experience) instead of being cute or clever (i.e. Where I’ve Been)
  • Save your file as a .docx if possible. PDF is relatively okay, too!

Using AI Chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)

A chatbot can be a very useful tool when developing your resume. You can use it to assess if you have effectively demonstrated your qualifications for a role, use it to help compose pieces of your resume or pick out important keywords from the job description.

Below are examples of prompts you could use with a chatbot:

  • What are the top 10 keywords or phrases from the below job description that should be included in my resume for this role? (copy and paste or upload job description)
  • What bullet points in my resume (uploaded) could better reflect keywords from this job description (uploaded/copy and paste)?
  • Incorporate the phrase “strong organizational skills” into this bullet point: [copy and paste bullet point]

Considerations and Limitations: Think critically about the information and advice you receive from a chatbot and then make it your own. Keep in mind that chatbots are open to anyone, so others may receive the same information. It’s important to always make the information unique to you. Additionally, make sure you are not uploading sensitive or personal information, like your address, into a chatbot. 

Looking For Sample Resumes? Click below!

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