Applicant Tracking System: Guides and Advice

Steve Zimmerman

Most people should use a chronological resume, which lists jobs newest first with dates; a hybrid suits career changers and people returning to work, and a functional resume is rarely worth the risk. Use one column, one-inch margins and 12-point body text, and send a PDF unless the posting asks for Word.

Steve Zimmerman

Resume formats, layout, fonts, color and file names, and how an applicant tracking system (ATS) reads and scores your resume.

Damon Alexander

When testing different career paths, Rocket Resume lets you turn your core work history into multiple job-specific, ATS-optimized résumé versions built for every direction you choose to explore.

Damon Alexander

By shifting into flexible, knowledge-based, and less physically demanding roles, addressing age bias head-on, and applying the 10-to-15-year résumé rule, you can execute a fulfilling career pivot while safeguarding your retirement and benefits.