How to Write a Resume That Both Bots and Humans Will Love
If you’ve ever applied for a job and heard nothing back, your resume may not be getting through the first layer of screening. At The Headhunters, all resumes are screened by a human, but many companies now use automated systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to sort resumes before a person ever sees them.
To improve your chances of landing an interview, your resume needs to work for both the technology reviewing your application and the recruiters or hiring managers making final decisions. Here’s how to make your resume stand out to both:
Why Your Resume Needs to Work for AI Tools and Human Recruiters
What Is an ATS and How Does AI Fit In?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that many employers use to manage job applications. When you submit your resume online, it may first be processed by this system before it reaches a real person.
Modern ATS platforms often include AI-powered features like natural language processing and automated scoring. These tools look for patterns in your work history, job titles, skills and qualifications. They then rank applicants based on how well their resumes match the job description.
This process helps employers handle high volumes of applications, but it’s not perfect. If your resume has formatting issues or doesn’t include the right language, the AI may misinterpret your experience or miss it entirely. Many employers are also starting to reevaluate their hiring processes to account for the use of AI by job applicants in their resumes and interviews.
How Employers Use AI to Screen Resumes
Employers may use AI to:
- Compare resumes to job descriptions
- Flag candidates based on required skills
- Automatically filter out applications without specific keywords
That means your resume must include the right information in a format the system can understand. If it doesn’t, even a well-qualified candidate could be overlooked.
Why It’s Important to Appeal to Both Humans and AI
A resume written for a system may feel cold or robotic to a person. A resume with too much design or storytelling may be unreadable to an ATS.
To succeed, your resume needs to balance both. It should have readable formatting, strong content and the right keywords for AI-driven systems, while still telling a clear and compelling story for human recruiters.
Resume Formatting Tips That Help You Pass ATS Filters
Stick to a Clean and Simple Resume Layout
Avoid using tables, columns, graphics or text boxes. These design elements can confuse ATS software. Use a simple format with clear sections and basic fonts.
Use Standard Fonts and File Types
Fonts like Arial, Calibri, Aptos or Times New Roman are preferred. Use sizes between 10 and 12. Save your resume as a .docx or .pdf file, depending on what the employer requests. Some older systems may not read PDFs properly. If you are working on an Apple device, avoid submitting a resume as a .pages file, because employers using Microsoft tools won’t be able to open them.
Use Clear Section Headings
Use standard section titles like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Summary” and “Skills.” Avoid headings that are too creative or unfamiliar to the system.
Include Contact Information in the Main Body
Your phone number, email address and location should appear in the main content. Avoid placing this information in a header or footer, as some systems may skip those areas.
A full mailing address isn’t necessary on modern resumes, but you should include your city and province/state. This will help ensure your resume doesn’t get automatically rejected for not being in the job location (even remote jobs often require workers to live in a specific region).
Looking for more ways to strengthen your job application? Check out our guide to creating a polished resume that will boost your chances of landing a great new job!
How to Optimize Your Resume for AI-Powered Screening Tools
Identify the Right Keywords from Job Postings
Review the job description carefully. Look for repeated terms, required skills, software and certifications. These are usually the keywords AI screening tools prioritize.
Integrate Keywords Naturally
Don’t overload your resume with keywords. Use them where they apply, such as in your summary, job titles and bullet points. This improves your visibility without sacrificing clarity.
Customize Your Resume for Every Role You Apply To
Apply for roles that are specifically related to your experience and goals (not just to every posting you find!) and tailor your resume to each position. Focus on experience that aligns with the job description and avoid sending out the same version for every application.
Make sure your resume is always honest and accurate. Use the real job titles from your past positions and only include skills you actually bring to the table. Stretching the truth might seem tempting, but it can backfire quickly—hiring managers will spot inconsistencies. Instead, highlight the experience and strengths that genuinely set you apart.
Use Action Verbs and Specific Details
Begin each bullet point with a strong verb like “led,” “created,” “improved” or “analyzed.” Where possible, include measurable results to show your impact.
Writing for Recruiters: Make Your Resume Easy to Read and Engaging
Write a Strong Professional Summary
Include a short summary at the top of your resume. Mention your experience level, areas of expertise and the type of role you are looking for. Keep it brief and focused.
Use Bullet Points for Readability
Bullet points break up dense text and help recruiters quickly scan your experience. Each point should highlight one specific responsibility or achievement.
Highlight Achievements Instead of Just Responsibilities
Rather than just listing tasks, show what you accomplished. Include results, metrics or process improvements that illustrate your impact.
Keep It Brief but Complete
If you have under 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. More senior professionals may need two pages. Focus on content that is relevant to the job you want.
Ensure Your Links Work
If you include a link on your resume to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio or personal website, always check that it works. Links can break when you save your document as a PDF, and recruiters often see resumes with URLs that do not open the correct page. After you save the final version of your resume, click each link directly to test and confirm that it opens in a browser and displays the right page. Taking a minute to do this helps ensure your application looks polished and professional.
Common Resume Mistakes That Can Hurt You (With Both Bots and Humans)
Overdesigning or Using Infographic Templates
Visual elements may look appealing but don’t always work well with ATS or AI tools. Stick to a clean, consistent format that prioritizes readability.
Including a Photo or Private Information
In Canada, never include a photo, age, marital status, race or religion on your resume. These are protected grounds against discrimination in Canada and it is illegal for employers to ask for these details.
Forgetting to Include Relevant Keywords
Your resume needs to reflect the language used in the job posting. If it doesn’t, you may not be identified as a match—even if you have the right experience.
Listing Experience Without Context
Include the company name, industry, job title, dates and responsibilities for each role. Add a brief description of your impact, team size or scope when appropriate.
Submitting the Wrong File Type or Format
Follow the file format requested in the job posting. Use a clear file name like “FirstName LastName – Resume.docx” so recruiters can find it easily.
Relying Too Much on AI to Write Your Resume
AI tools like ChatGPT or resume builders can help with structure or brainstorming, but if you rely entirely on AI-generated content, your resume will likely sound generic or disconnected.
Always review and revise anything AI-generated to ensure it reflects your experience and voice. Recruiters can usually tell when a resume feels templated or impersonal.
How The Headhunters Uses ATS Software (But Not AI Screening)
We Use an ATS, But Every Resume Is Reviewed by a Person
At The Headhunters, we use an ATS to manage applications, store resumes and search for candidates efficiently. Although we may use AI for certain aspects of our jobs, we believe in the human touch for core recruitment functions and we don’t use AI tools to automatically filter or reject resumes. Every application is reviewed by a Recruitment Consultant who understands the context of your experience and what our clients are looking for. We believe that thoughtful review leads to better matches.
Why Optimizing Your Resume Still Matters
While we take a hands-on approach, many employers and job boards rely heavily on AI or automation to screen applicants. That’s why it’s important to build a resume that performs well across platforms. A well-optimized resume increases your visibility and helps you stand out.
Find a Job That Matches Your Resume and Your Goals
A well-prepared resume helps open doors to the right opportunities. Whether you are applying through a company website or connecting with a recruiter, your resume is often your first impression.
If you aren’t sure whether your resume is working for you, we offer a variety of resources on our Career Resources page. You may also want to explore services through a career advisor or coach.