Writing One Resume That Works for Both AI Screening and HR

How screening systems read resumes differently from people, and how to write one version software can parse and HR wants to keep reading, with before and after examples.

You send your resume to twenty companies and get almost nothing but automated rejections, even though your experience fits. Meanwhile, a friend stuffs their resume with keywords, gets through the first round, but HR doesn't call them in because they can't tell what the friend can actually do. A good resume has to pass both of these gates.

What does a resume have to get through?

Many companies use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to store and manage applications. Some systems also have AI features that rank or summarise candidates. After that the resume reaches recruiters and hiring managers, who skim it quickly before deciding.

How the system reads

• It splits text into sections such as name, experience, education and skills.
• It compares the content with the requirements in the job ad.
• It reads text well, but struggles with images, icons and text inside graphics.

How people read

• They scan job titles, companies and dates first.
• They look for clear results, not just a list of duties.
• They silently ask: can this person solve our team's problem?

Part 1: Formatting the system can read

• Single column: avoid two columns, tables and text boxes, which some systems read out of order.
• Standard headings: use familiar labels like Work Experience, Education and Skills instead of creative ones.
• Contact details in the body, not in the document header or footer.
• A text-based PDF, not a scanned image. If the job ad specifies a file type, follow it.
• Skills written as words: no bars or stars for levels, which systems don't understand and people don't believe.

Part 2: Natural keywords

Read the job ad and highlight the skills, tools and repeated terms, then put them into your resume in real context.

• Use the same wording as the ad. If it says Google Analytics 4, don't just write GA.
• Put keywords inside achievement sentences, not only in the Skills list.
• Only include what you can genuinely do, because you'll be asked about it in the interview.

Repeating keywords or hiding white text might get past some systems, but a human spots it instantly and you lose credibility.

Part 3: Results people can picture

Before

Responsible for the company's social media.

After

Planned and produced Facebook and TikTok content, 5 posts a week, testing short-video formats until average engagement per post rose versus the previous quarter.

The second version contains keywords the system looks for, the platform names and type of work, and what people want to know: what you did, how much, and what happened. If you have your own real numbers, include them. If not, describe scope and observable results instead. Never invent figures.

The system decides whether your resume is readable. People decide whether they want to talk to you. You need both.

The top section matters most

Put a 2 to 3 line summary under your name stating your role, core strength and the kind of job you want, e.g. Marketing Executive with 3 years in content and performance ads for retail brands. Both the system and people understand you from this section.

What to avoid

• Using one resume for every role without adjusting keywords
• A beautiful design that is one big image
• Letting AI write the whole thing and sending it without checking it matches reality
• Making it longer than needed with every job since school, even unrelated ones

What to do next

1. Switch your resume to one column with standard headings.
2. Pick a job ad you really want and highlight 10 to 15 keywords.
3. Rewrite 3 to 5 achievements per role, with keywords in real context.
4. Write the top summary to match that role.
5. Copy the text from your PDF into a plain text editor. If the order is scrambled, a system may read it scrambled too.

Check your resume with Resume Lab, and read more about ATS-readable resume formats and matching resume keywords to the JD. When you're ready, find roles that fit you in job listings.