resume-ats-optimizer

What the source does

• FilesystemNone observedNo reads or writes in the source
• NetworkNone observedNo outbound calls in the source
• ShellNone observedNo commands run in the source
• DependenciesPinnedNothing floats
• SecretsNone foundNo keys in source

Five audit layers

Gates applied: no behavioural pass.

.agent/skills/executive-resume-writer

.agent/skills/interview-prep-generator

.agent/skills/job-description-analyzer

.agent/skills/linkedin-profile-optimizer

.agent/skills/offer-comparison-analyzer

Audit 0.4.1 · source sha a01a853af83c · 31 Oct 2026Report an issue or request a re-scan

• Publisherparamchoudhary GitHub userOwner of the repository this skill is read from
• Source folderparamchoudhary/resumeskills/skills/resume-ats-optimizerThe exact folder we audited
• LicenceMITAs the repository states it
• Commit pinned for this verdicta01a853af83cA new audit runs when the source changes
• Repository statusNot archivedLast push 133 days ago
• Sandboxed runNot runSkills are read, not executed; layer L4 is skipped

Its description: Optimize resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems, check ATS compatibility, and analyze keyword match

---
name: resume-ats-optimizer
description: Optimize resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems, check ATS compatibility, and analyze keyword match
---

# Resume ATS Optimizer

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user wants to:
- Optimize their resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Check if their resume will pass automated screening
- Understand why their applications aren't getting responses
- Mentions keywords like: "ATS", "not getting interviews", "resume not working", "optimize resume", "keyword optimization"

Also use when the user provides a resume file and mentions they're applying to jobs.

## Core Capabilities

- Parse resume and test ATS compatibility
- Extract and analyze keywords against job descriptions
- Identify formatting issues that break ATS parsers
- Calculate match scores between resume and job postings
- Suggest keyword additions and placements
- Generate ATS-friendly formatting recommendations

## The ATS Problem

75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human ever sees them. Companies use ATS to:
- Filter out unqualified candidates automatically
- Search for specific keywords from job requirements
- Parse resumes into structured data
- Rank candidates by keyword match percentage

Common reasons resumes fail ATS:
1. Poor formatting (tables, columns, headers/footers)
2. Missing keywords from job description
3. Inconsistent section headers
4. Non-standard fonts or special characters
5. Text embedded in images
6. Incorrect file format

## ATS Compatibility Checklist

### File Format
- ✅ Use .docx or .pdf (not .pages, .odt)
- ✅ PDF must be text-based, not scanned image
- ✅ File name: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"

### Font & Formatting
- ✅ Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman
- ✅ Font size: 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headers
- ✅ No text boxes, tables, or columns
- ✅ No headers/footers (put contact info in body)
- ✅ No images, graphics, or charts
- ✅ Consistent date formats (MM/YYYY)
- ✅ Standard bullet points (•, -, *)

### Section Headers
Use standard, recognizable headers:
- ✅ "Professional Experience" or "Work Experience" (not "Where I've Been")
- ✅ "Education" (not "Academic Background")
- ✅ "Skills" (not "Core Competencies")
- ✅ "Summary" or "Professional Summary"

### Contact Information
```
John Smith
[email protected] | (555) 123-4567 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
San Francisco, CA
```

NOT in header/footer, and avoid:
- ❌ Tables for contact info
- ❌ Special characters in email
- ❌ Multiple phone numbers
- ❌ Full mailing address (city/state is enough)

## Keyword Optimization Process

### Step 1: Extract Job Description Keywords

Identify three types of keywords:

**Hard Skills (Technical)**
- Programming languages (Python, Java, SQL)
- Tools and platforms (Salesforce, AWS, Excel)
- Certifications (PMP, CPA, CFA)
- Methodologies (Agile, Six Sigma, SDLC)

**Soft Skills**
- Leadership, collaboration, communication
- Problem-solving, analytical thinking
- Project management, stakeholder management

**Industry Terms**
- B2B, SaaS, e-commerce
- Enterprise, SMB, mid-market
- ARR, MRR, churn rate

### Step 2: Match Analysis

For each keyword in job description:
1. Check if exact phrase appears in resume
2. Check for synonyms or variations
3. Count frequency of mention
4. Note location (summary, experience, skills)

### Step 3: Calculate Match Score

```
Match Score = (Keywords Matched / Total Required Keywords) × 100

Example:
Job has 20 required keywords
Your resume has 15 of them
Match Score = 75%

Target: 80%+ for strong match
```

### Step 4: Keyword Placement Strategy

**Priority 1: Professional Summary (Top of Resume)**
- Include 5-8 most important keywords
- Use naturally in 3-4 sentence paragraph
- Example: "Data Scientist with 5+ years using Python, SQL, and machine learning to drive business insights..."

**Priority 2: Skills Section**
- List keywords explicitly
- Group by category if needed
- Use exact phrasing from job description

**Priority 3: Experience Bullets**
- Incorporate keywords into achievement statements
- Don't force keywords unnaturally
- Use variations throughout

**Keyword Density Guidelines:**
- Critical keywords: Appear 2-4 times throughout resume
- Important keywords: Appear 1-2 times
- Don't keyword stuff - keep it natural
- Vary phrasing (e.g., "led team" and "team leadership")

## Analysis Output Format

When analyzing a resume, provide this structured report:

```markdown
# ATS COMPATIBILITY REPORT

## Overall Score: [X]/100

### File Format Check ✅/❌
- Format: [DOCX/PDF]
- Text extraction: [Success/Failed]
- File size: [X KB/MB]

### Formatting Issues
✅ No tables or columns detected
❌ Contact info in header (move to body)
⚠️  Two different font sizes in skills section

### Keyword Analysis

JOB REQUIREMENTS vs YOUR RESUME:

**Critical Keywords (Must Have):**
✅ Project Management - Found 3x
✅ Agile/Scrum - Found 2x
❌ Stakeholder Management - MISSING (mentioned 5x in JD)
❌ Budget Management - MISSING (mentioned 3x in JD)

**Important Keywords:**
✅ Cross-functional teams - Found 1x
⚠️  "Risk management" - You have "risk mitigation" (close but not exact match)
✅ Process improvement - Found 2x

**Match Score: 65%**
Target: 80%+ recommended

### Recommended Changes

**1. Add Missing Keywords:**

In Professional Summary, change:
"Experienced project manager with proven track record..."

To:
"Experienced project manager with proven track record in stakeholder management and budget oversight..."

In Experience section, add bullet:
"Managed stakeholder communication across 3 departments and executive leadership team"
"Directed budget management for $2.5M project portfolio"

**2. Fix Formatting:**
- Move contact information from header to body of resume
- Make all skill section items same font size (currently 10pt and 11pt mixed)

**3. Strengthen Existing Keywords:**
Change "risk mitigation" to "risk management" for exact match

### Estimated New Match Score: 85%
```

Excerpt, first 6,000 characters of SKILL.md, verbatim from the audited commit. It is text from someone else’s repository, quoted so you can judge it before your agent reads it.

git clone https://github.com/paramchoudhary/resumeskills
git -C resumeskills checkout a01a853af83c

Works in

1. 2026-10-31
   !CAUTION B 89 / 100

   first audit · source a01a853af83c

Questions about resume-ats-optimizer

• github.com/paramchoudhary/resumeskills/tree/main/skills/resume-a — the audited source at commit a01a853af83c and every finding aboveObserved · 31 Oct 2026

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