Why Great Candidates Get Filtered Out
Over 70% of engineering applications are parsed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before human recruiters ever see them. Complex multi-column templates, graphics, and unsearchable icon fonts can break parsing algorithms and lead to instant disqualification.
Core ATS Formatting Rules
- Use single-column layouts with standard web-safe fonts (Inter, Roboto, Arial).
- Export as clean searchable PDFs, ensuring text can be selected and copied.
- Use standard section headers: Experience, Education, Technical Skills, Projects, Certifications.
Quantifying Project Impact
Instead of writing "Built an e-commerce website with payment gateway", frame it as: "Architected an online store supporting 500+ daily requests, reducing checkout latency by 35% through Redis caching and Stripe webhook integration."
