How to Write an SEO-Optimized Resume

When you write a resume it's hard enough to try to impress a human but as we all know we also must appease the ranks of an ATS since many employers rely on that ATS software to sift through hundreds, if not thousands of resumes, identifying top candidates based on keyword relevance and formatting.

So... This is where an SEO-optimized resume comes in. It is written with specific keywords and formatting that align with the job descriptions you’re applying for. Just like optimizing content for search engines, you’re optimizing your resume to rank higher within an ATS. By integrating relevant keywords and following ATS-friendly formatting, your chances of getting noticed by recruiters increase significantly.

Here are some tips on how to write an SEO-optimized resume that can beat the ATS and catch the eye of hiring managers.

1. Study Job Descriptions for Keywords

The first step to optimizing your resume is understanding the keywords relevant to the job. Keywords are the specific terms or skills that employers are looking for. These might include:

• Job titles (e.g., “Project Manager,” “Software Engineer”)

• Technical skills (e.g., “Python,” “SEO strategies,” “Agile methodologies”)

• Certifications (e.g., “PMP,” “CPA”)

• Soft skills (e.g., “team leadership,” “communication”)

Actionable Tip: Pull up three to five job descriptions for roles you're interested in. Highlight the recurring keywords and phrases in these descriptions. Make sure your resume includes these, but avoid keyword stuffing. Naturally incorporate them into your experience, skills, and education sections.

2. Craft a Keyword-Rich Professional Summary

Instead of an objective statement, opt for a professional summary at the top of your resume. This is a brief, 2-3 sentence section that introduces who you are, your core skills, and what value you can bring to the company.

An optimized summary should reflect the most important keywords found in job descriptions. For example, instead of saying:

"Hardworking marketing professional with experience in content creation."

Say:

"SEO-focused digital marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in content marketing, social media strategy, and lead generation."

This version highlights key industry terms that recruiters and ATS systems are searching for.

3. Incorporate Action Verbs and Metrics

In addition to keywords, ATS systems may look for performance metrics and action verbs. Action verbs show recruiters what you’ve achieved and the impact you’ve made. Words like “managed,” “designed,” “implemented,” and “optimized” are powerful ways to begin bullet points under your job responsibilities.

Employers also love to see numbers and results, which add credibility to your claims. Instead of saying, "Improved website traffic," say, "Increased organic website traffic by 35% in 6 months through targeted SEO strategies."

Actionable Tip: Always quantify your achievements where possible. Numbers like percentages, dollar amounts, and timeframes make a stronger impact.

4. Optimize the Skills Section

Your skills section is a prime spot for optimization. Many ATS systems scan this section to quickly assess whether you meet the job’s minimum qualifications.

Make sure the skills you list align with what is mentioned in the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a data analyst role, your skills section might include keywords like “data visualization,” “SQL,” and “data analysis.”

Actionable Tip: Avoid generic skills that don’t add value, like “proficient in Microsoft Office.” This is completely irrelevant these days so focus on hard skills that are related to the job and industry.

5. Stick to Simple Formatting

Fancy graphics, creative fonts, and complex formatting might make your resume visually appealing to a human reader, but they can confuse an ATS. Many ATS systems are designed to scan text, not images or fancy layouts. In worst-case scenarios, the system may not be able to read your resume at all.

Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman...although TNR is a little old school these days and use bullet points to break up sections and ensure your resume is easy to scan.

Actionable Tip: Always submit your resume in Word (.docx) or PDF format, depending on the employer’s request. Word documents tend to be the most ATS-friendly, but some systems can handle PDFs as well. Double-check the job application instructions.

6. Don’t Overlook Soft Skills

While hard skills are essential, soft skills are often listed in job descriptions and can also be keywords that ATS systems search for. Terms like “teamwork,” “problem-solving,” and “communication” are important to mention, especially if the job description emphasizes them.

Actionable Tip: Incorporate soft skills within your job duties or professional summary, but tie them to tangible outcomes. For example, “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline the production process, reducing lead times by 15%.”

7. Test Your Resume for ATS Compatibility

Once you’ve optimized your resume, it’s a good idea to test it. There are tools that can help you check how well your resume is optimized for specific job descriptions. These tools analyze your resume against job postings and provide feedback on keyword usage, formatting, and overall compatibility...I'd write them here but I can't give away ALL my tips and tricks ;)

8. DO NOT INCLUDE REFRENCES

This will not help your chances in getting hired and it will not be used in your favour. There is also no need to write "References available upon request." Of course they are...or they should be!!

Jessica Glazer is the founder of MindHR INC an executive headhunting, career coaching and resume writing company based in Montreal, Canada