A Step-by-Step Guide
Part 2: Showcase Your Skills, Accomplishments, and Experience and Get Past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Now that you have organized your job search and have worked to make the process more manageable and less intimidating, you probably realize one of the critical things you have to tackle next is how to present the most important part of the job search equation: you. We all know by now that there are two primary methods this gets accomplished – your resume and your LinkedIn profile.
Your resume serves as a time honored and powerful marketing tool in that regard. It needs to reflect your skills, qualifications, and experience in a manner that captures attention quickly. However, before any human recruiter ever sees your resume, it often has to get past an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) first. These systems parse and rank resumes based on relevance to the job description, which means that crafting a resume that appeals both to technology and hiring managers is crucial. Meanwhile, your LinkedIn profile serves as a sort of a “digital resume,” professional portfolio, and networking tool all in one. It’s where potential employers, clients, and colleagues get to have a quiet opportunity to learn about your professional background and expertise at a glance.
So your Linkedin Profile must also make an impression.
Presenting your skills, accomplishments, and experience in a well-organized and compelling manner is of obvious import. So TempExperts is here to simplify the process and speak truth to what you really need to concentrate on to advance your job candidacy. So we’ll start with 5 suggestions to perfect and empower your resume to get the results you need and then we’ll come with more five important suggestions to help you get your LinkedIn profile set up to stand out and impress.
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Here are five tactics to perfect your resume and help you get through the ATS to the interview stage.
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1. Use Relevant Keywords from the Job Description
The ATS works by scanning resumes for keywords that match the job description. To pass this filter, your resume must reflect/include the language used in the job posting (both hard and soft skills). Carefully read through the job description and identify important keywords—skills, qualifications, and duties where it is mentioned multiple times. Incorporate these terms naturally into your resume, especially in the skills, experience, and summary sections.
For example, if the job posting emphasizes “project management” or “data analysis,” be sure those exact phrases are included in your resume if they reflect your experience. Avoid overloading your resume with “unnatural” keywords, as ATS tools are becoming more sophisticated in detecting keyword stuffing.
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2. Focus on Your Accomplishments, Not Just Responsibilities
Hiring managers are looking for candidates who can demonstrate impact in previous roles, not just list job duties. And that kinda makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? Quantify your achievements to show how you’ve added value to your previous employers. This not only makes your resume more compelling but also helps it stand out in the ATS.
For instance, instead of stating, “Managed a team,” say, “Managed a team of 10 employees, improving productivity by 20% over six months.” Concrete numbers and specific outcomes grab attention and reflect your ability to deliver results.
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3. Keep the Format Simple and ATS-Friendly
We are all about “Staffing Made Simple.” You should approach your resume the same way. While a visually appealing resume may seem like a good idea, overly creative designs with graphics, images, and multiple columns can confuse an ATS. Use a clean, simple (flat) layout that ATS software can easily read. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Ensure your resume is in a commonly accepted format like Word or PDF. Find out the employer’s preference!
Avoid tables, text boxes, and graphics as the ATS may not be able to process information inside these elements correctly. This could result in essential details being missed. Instead, use clear headings such as “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education” to organize your content.
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4. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Application
One-size-fits-all resumes are less likely to pass through ATS software well which will prevent the resume from being seen by HR and/or hiring managers. Tailor your resume for each job application by tweaking your summary, skills section, and experience to reflect the job’s requirements. The more aligned your resume is with the specific role, the higher the chances it will pass the ATS and catch the recruiter’s attention.
Good news: This does NOT mean you need to rewrite your resume entirely for each job! Instead, make strategic adjustments to align it with the keywords and priorities of each position.
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5. Highlight Your Skills in a Dedicated Section
ATS software often looks for a separate skills section to determine if you possess the core competencies the employer is seeking. Include a dedicated section that highlights both hard and soft skills relevant to the job. This also makes it easy for recruiters to scan when they read your resume. Include both technical skills, like software or programming languages, and soft skills, like communication or leadership, that are relevant to the role.
Don’t forget to use the specific wording from the job description to ensure a match with the ATS.
Whew! Now that we are well on the path to craft an effective resume for your job search prospects, we now need to turn our attention to the second half of the effort – which is all about LinkedIn. But no worries, TempExperts has you covered here too! So let’s take a look at the Linkedin profile and makes some determinations on what needs to be sharp and on-point.
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Here are five suggestions to help you optimize your LinkedIn profile to stand out.
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1. Craft a Compelling Headline
Your LinkedIn headline is the first thing visitors see, when they come to “visit” you, so it’s important to make it count. While LinkedIn defaults this to your current job title, you have the freedom to create something more personalized and impactful. Use this space to succinctly communicate your value proposition—who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique.
For example, instead of just stating “Marketing Manager,” you could write, “Marketing Manager | Driving Brand Growth & Digital Engagement | 5+ Years in SaaS Industry.” This communicates your job role, expertise, and industry, all in one short phrase. A clear, compelling headline helps capture attention immediately.
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2. Create an Engaging Summary Section
The summary, or “About” section, is your opportunity to introduce yourself in more detail and provide context around your experience and skills. This should read more like a personal narrative rather than a dry list of accomplishments. Use the first-person voice and focus on your career highlights, what you’re passionate about, and your key strengths.
You can structure this section into short paragraphs that touch on your professional journey, your core expertise, and your future goals. Be sure to weave in keywords that are relevant to your industry, as this will help with LinkedIn’s search algorithm, making you more discoverable to recruiters or business contacts. Aim to keep it concise, yet engaging, and end with a “call to action,” such as encouraging connections or inviting a conversation.
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3. Optimize Your Experience Section with Results and Metrics
In your Experience section, we want to communicate the same things you are communicating in the Resume – with the understanding that simply listing job duties doesn’t fully convey all that great value you’ve brought to your roles. To stand out, focus on your accomplishments in each position, and back them up with concrete results and metrics where possible.
We love driving home examples here. Because it is THAT important. So instead of stating, “Managed a team of sales associates,” say, “Led a team of 10 sales associates, increasing revenue by 27% within the first year with a reduction of 12% in cost of sale.” Be prepared to defend your accomplishments thesis! And make sure your math is correct. This is not the time for raw generalizations. Mathematically quantifying your achievements not only makes your profile more compelling but also provides tangible proof of your impact. Use bullet points to break down the key accomplishments in each role to make them easy to read, more organized for the reader to digest, and visually appealing.
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4. Showcase Your Skills with Endorsements and Recommendations
The Skills section of your LinkedIn profile is important not only because it highlights your areas of expertise, but also because LinkedIn allows others to endorse these skills. Make sure your top skills are aligned with your professional goals and consider removing outdated or irrelevant skills.
Encourage colleagues, clients, or managers to endorse the skills most important to your career. Additionally, seek out written recommendations from people who can speak to your expertise and professionalism. A well-written recommendation adds credibility and showcases your ability to work well with others while reinforcing the accomplishments listed on your profile.
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5. Add Rich Media and Certifications
Visuals can make your LinkedIn profile more engaging. The platform allows you to upload media such as presentations, videos, and portfolios in various sections, such as your summary or experience. If you’ve led a project, published an article, or given a presentation, use these opportunities to showcase them. Including rich media is a great way to highlight your work and give recruiters a deeper look at your expertise.
Additionally, list relevant certifications to demonstrate your commitment to professional development. These can appear in a dedicated Certifications section or within the Education section, making it easy for recruiters to spot any specialized training you’ve completed.
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Conclusion
By following these tactics, you can organize your LinkedIn profile to effectively showcase your skills, accomplishments, and experience in a professional, convincing manner. A well-structured profile doesn’t just improve your chances of being found by recruiters—it also demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. Crafting the perfect resume and LinkedIn profile requires balancing both content and structure. By incorporating relevant keywords, showcasing your accomplishments, and ensuring your format is ATS-friendly, you’ll increase your chances of standing out in today’s competitive job market. Remember, the resume and LinkedIn profile ARE your first professional impression, so make them count!