How to Use This Checklist
Work through each section before submitting any job application. Items marked as critical will significantly impact whether your resume passes ATS screening. Items marked recommended improve your chances with human reviewers.
Section 1: Formatting & Structure
Critical
- Single-column layout (no tables or multi-column sections)
- Standard, readable font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia)
- Font size 10–12pt for body, 14–16pt for name
- Consistent formatting throughout (same bullet style, date format, spacing)
- Margins between 0.5" and 1"
- File saved as .docx or ATS-friendly PDF
- File named professionally: FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf
Recommended
- White space used effectively (not cramped, not too sparse)
- Bold used sparingly for emphasis on key achievements
- Length appropriate: 1 page for <10 years experience, 2 pages for 10+ years
Section 2: Contact Information
Critical
- Full name at the top (largest text on page)
- Professional email address ([email protected])
- Phone number with country code if applying internationally
- City and state/country (full address not required)
Recommended
- LinkedIn profile URL (customized, not default)
- Portfolio or GitHub link (if relevant to role)
- No photo (standard in US/UK; check local norms)
Section 3: Professional Summary
Critical
- 3–4 sentences maximum
- Includes your target job title
- Contains 3–5 keywords from the job description
- Quantifies at least one achievement
Recommended
- Tailored to each application (not generic)
- Written in third-person without "I" statements
- Mentions years of experience in the field
Section 4: Work Experience
Critical
- Listed in reverse chronological order
- Each role includes: Company, Title, Location, Dates (MM/YYYY)
- Bullet points start with strong action verbs
- At least 50% of bullets include quantified achievements
- Keywords from job description appear in context
Recommended
- 4–6 bullets per role (fewer for older/less relevant roles)
- Most impactful achievement listed first under each role
- Context provided for company if not well-known ("Series B startup, $12M ARR")
- Promotions clearly indicated within the same company
Section 5: Skills Section
Critical
- Dedicated skills section exists
- Hard skills listed (tools, technologies, certifications)
- Skills match requirements listed in job description
- No skills listed that you can't discuss in an interview
Recommended
- Organized by category (Technical, Languages, Tools)
- Proficiency levels indicated for languages
- Outdated technologies removed or deprioritized
Section 6: Education
Critical
- Degree, institution, graduation year included
- Listed in reverse chronological order
- Matches the minimum education requirement in job posting
Recommended
- GPA included if 3.5+ and graduated within 5 years
- Relevant coursework listed for entry-level candidates
- Honors and awards included if relevant
Section 7: Keywords & ATS Optimization
Critical
- Resume checked against job description for keyword match
- Primary keywords appear in Professional Summary
- Primary keywords appear in Work Experience (in context)
- Both spelled-out terms and acronyms used (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
- No keywords in images, headers, or footers
Recommended
- ATS score checked with a tool before submitting
- Industry-specific terminology used throughout
- Keywords appear naturally (not stuffed)
Section 8: Achievements & Impact
Critical
- At least 5 quantified achievements across the resume
- Numbers used (%, $, #) wherever possible
- Impact clearly stated (what changed because of your work)
Recommended
- CAR format used: Challenge → Action → Result
- Scope indicated (team size, budget, geographic reach)
- Time frame mentioned for major achievements
Section 9: Final Review
Critical
- No spelling or grammar errors
- Consistent tense (past tense for previous roles, present for current)
- No personal pronouns (I, me, my)
- Contact information is accurate and current
Recommended
- Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
- Reviewed by a trusted colleague or mentor
- Tested by uploading to an ATS simulator
Your Score
Count your checked items:
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 40–47 | Excellent — Submit with confidence |
| 30–39 | Good — Address critical items before submitting |
| 20–29 | Fair — Significant improvements needed |
| Below 20 | Poor — Consider a complete rewrite |
Pro tip: Use ResumeAI to automatically check your resume against any job description and get a detailed score with specific improvement recommendations — in under 60 seconds.