Creating an ATS Resume
Leda Goodman, CPRW
Covenant College, September 2016
We are so excited you are starting this process. To begin with, you need to consider the intended
reader, such as potential employers, grad schools, etc. You will need to ask yourself a few questions.
How will you send it, in person, via email, or through a website? Are you trying to break into a new
field? How much relevant experience do you have? Your potential reader (employer/grad school) will
want to know that their position is the one of your dreams and that you are willing to do the work to
make it easy for them to hire you.
This guide will teach you how to write an advanced and targeted resume. Since resumes are considered
living documents, this guide is the first step in marketing yourself to potential employers. To learn how
to kick your resume to the next level, I would encourage you to read the section on ATS friendly
resumes. ATS is an acronym for Applicant tracking system: computer software designed to screen your
resume, application, and more, during the hiring process. Common ATS software names include: Taleo,
BambooHR, Tribehr, Kronos, Vibe, and many more.
ATS allows employers to:
● Receive and review resumes and job applications
● Screen and test potential candidates
● Schedule interviews
● Send follow-up emails
● Check references
● Facilitate the hiring process
● Onboard new hires
● Track and maintain regulatory compliance
Employers program each job description into their ATS software and tag specific keywords required for
each position. By using the same keywords, accurately and honestly, you help yourself move through
the hiring process. Yes, that means you will need to customize your resume for each intended recipient.
Don’t let that overwhelm you; once you have created a master document it is easy to target it to
potential employers.
Once you have a working resume and cover letter, email them to resumes@covenant.edu. A student
assistant will review your submission, send you initial feedback, and schedule a meeting for you with our
Certified Professional Resume Writer. We can also be reached at 706-419-1160 or in Carter 106.
▪ Remember, the goal of a resume is to make it easy for employers to imagine your “fit” within
their needs, and know if they should invite you in for an interview.
▪ Potential employers will spend 5-7 seconds looking at your resume.
▪ Be consistent, concise, and accurate. Convey a picture, of how you work, in the reader’s mind.
▪ When you actually apply, we recommend you submit your resume to potential employers in PDF
format. Some ATS will require a .txt or .docx format, but such a requirement will typically be
specified.
▪ Read and follow each of the employer’s directions closely.
▪ Review and look for typos, inconsistencies, verb tense consistency, and grammatical errors!
▪ Unless you are an education student, do not include reference on your actual resume. Save
them for a separate attachment with the same header.
▪ People care about your experience, not whether or not you were paid. Include related volunteer
experience; they care about how your experience is relevant to their needs.
