Congratulations, you’ve become a tech expert, equipped with valuable skills! Now, how do you convey your credentials and showcase your worth to someone who doesn’t know you yet? The first thing a recruiter or client will likely request is your resume. This document serves as your initial impression, so it’s crucial to craft a polished resume that effectively markets you. Let’s explore how to create a professional, ATS-compliant resume. But first, let’s take a closer look at what a resume truly entails.

I am Charles Chukwudi Omeke, I will guide you through this.

 

WHAT IS A RESUME

A resume is a structured document that outlines your work history, skills, education, and notable achievements. It serves as a tool for job applications, enabling employers to quickly determine if you would be a suitable candidate for a position.  

 

Key Features of a Resume 

Concise  – Typically 1 to 2 pages in length.  

Tailored  – Customized for each specific job application.  

ATS-Friendly – Incorporates relevant keywords from the job description to navigate Applicant Tracking Systems effectively.  

Common Resume Sections:  

Header – Your name, contact information, and LinkedIn profile.  

Professional Summary – A short introduction that emphasizes your experience and skills.  

Work Experience – A listing of previous positions, including your responsibilities and accomplishments.  

Skills – Specific hard skills pertinent to the job (e.g., SEO, Figma, Excel).  

Education – Information about your degree, university attended, and graduation year.  

Certifications & Additional Sections – Relevant courses, projects, or languages, if applicable.  

When to Use a Resume vs. a CV:

• Use a Resume → When applying for corporate positions (such as Marketing, IT, Design, etc.).  
• Use a CV → When applying for academic roles, research positions, or international jobs (in some regions like the UK and Europe, CVs are preferred over resumes).

CREATING AN ATS COMPLIANT RESUME

Creating an ATS-compliant (Applicant Tracking System) resume ensures that your resume gets past automated filters and reaches recruiters. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

✔ Reverse chronological format – This is the best for ATS as it lists your most recent experience first.
✔ Avoid functional resumes (skill-based) because ATS may struggle to parse them.

 

Step 2: Use an ATS-Friendly File Format

✔ Save as .docx (Microsoft Word) or PDF (only if specified).
✔ Avoid JPG, PNG, or heavily designed PDF files.

 

Step 3: Use a Simple, Professional Layout

✔ Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
✔ Use font sizes 10–12 for text and 14–16 for headings.
✔ Keep margins between 0.5–1 inch.
✔ Use bullet points (•) instead of symbols like ✔ or ➔.

 

Step 4: Include Essential Resume Sections

✅ Header

✔ Full name
✔ Phone number
✔ Professional email (e.g., yourname@gmail.com)
✔ LinkedIn profile (if applicable)

✅ Professional Summary (3–4 sentences summarizing your experience and skills)

✔ Example:
“Results-driven Digital Marketing Specialist with 8+ years of experience in SEO, PPC, and social media strategy. Proven track record in increasing brand visibility and conversions. Adept at using data analytics for performance optimization.”

✅ Work Experience (Most Recent First)

✔ Company Name | Job Title | Location | Dates (Month & Year)
✔ Use bullet points (5–6 per job)
✔ Quantify achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 35% through targeted ad campaigns”)

✅ Skills Section (Use Keywords)

✔ List hard skills (SEO, Python, Excel, Figma)
✔ Avoid soft skills like “Hardworking” or “Team Player”

✅ Education

✔ Degree | University Name | Year of Graduation
✔ Include relevant certifications

✅ Additional Sections (Optional)

✔ Certifications (Google Analytics, PMP, etc.)
✔ Projects (relevant to job role)
✔ Languages (if applicable)

 

Step 5: Optimize for ATS Keywords

✔ Scan the job description and include relevant keywords in your resume.
✔ Example: If the job requires “Google Ads” and “SEO,” make sure those exact terms appear in your resume.

 

Step 6: Remove ATS-Blocking Elements

Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, or images.
Do not use fancy fonts, headers, or footers.
Stick to standard section headings like “Work Experience” instead of “Professional Journey.”

 

Step 7: Proofread and Test Your Resume

✔ Run your resume through ATS checkers (like Jobscan or Resumeworded).
✔ Use Grammarly to fix grammar and typos.
✔ Test by converting your resume to plain text – if it’s readable, ATS can parse it.

 

Step 8: Save & Submit

✔ Save as FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx
✔ Follow job posting instructions for submission format.

 

RESUME SAMPLES:

[Your Name]
[Your Email]

| [Your Phone Number] |

[LinkedIn Profile] |

[GitHub Profile] |

[Portfolio URL]

 

Professional Summary

Results-driven Software Developer with [X] years of experience in building scalable web applications and software solutions. Proficient in [key programming languages], with expertise in front-end, back-end, and full-stack development. Adept at working in remote and distributed teams, following Agile methodologies, and delivering high-quality code. Passionate about solving problems, optimizing performance, and contributing to open-source projects.

Skills Summary

• Programming Languages: JavaScript (React, Node.js), Python (Django, Flask), TypeScript, PHP, Go, Rust
• Front-end: React.js, Next.js, Vue.js, HTML, CSS, TailwindCSS, SASS
• Back-end: Node.js, Express.js, Django, Flask, GraphQL, RESTful APIs
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Firebase, Redis
• DevOps & Tools: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, CI/CD (Jenkins, GitHub Actions), Terraform
• Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
• Soft Skills: Team Collaboration, Excellent Communication

 

Work Experience

[Job Title] | [Company Name] | Remote | [MM/YYYY – Present]

• Developed and maintained scalable web applications, improving system performance by [X]%.
• Designed and implemented RESTful APIs that enhanced data processing efficiency.
• Led a team of developers, conducting code reviews, mentoring juniors, and enforcing best practices.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams in an Agile/Scrum environment to meet project deadlines.

[Job Title] | [Company Name] | Remote | [MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY]

• Built and optimized web applications using React.js, Node.js, and PostgreSQL.
• Improved application load times by [X]% through performance optimization.
• Integrated third-party APIs, improving functionality and user experience.
• Implemented automated unit and integration tests to enhance software reliability.

 

Projects & Open-Source Contributions

[Project Name] – [Short description + GitHub link]

• Developed a [tech stack] application that [impact/achievement].
• Implemented features like [feature name], reducing [metric].

[Project Name] – [Short description + GitHub link]

• Built an open-source [tool/solution] used by [X] developers worldwide.

 

Education & Certifications

[Degree], [University Name] – [Year]

• Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Web Development, Cloud Computing

Certifications:

• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Developer
• React Developer Certification (Meta)

 

Additional Information

• Availability: Full-time | Contract | Freelance
• Time Zone: [Your Preferred Time Zone]
• Languages Spoken: English, [Other Languages]
• Interests: Open-source contributions, Blockchain, AI/ML

 

RESUME SAMPLE 2

Charles Omeke
omekecharles45@gmail.com | +234 9030057489 | linkedin.com/in/charlesomeke | github.com/charlesomeke | charlesomeke.dev

Professional Summary

Results-driven Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in building scalable web applications and software solutions. Proficient in JavaScript, Python, and PHP, with expertise in front-end, back-end, and full-stack development. Adept at working in remote and distributed teams, following Agile methodologies, and delivering high-quality code. Passionate about solving problems, optimizing performance, and contributing to open-source projects.

Skills Summary

• Programming Languages: JavaScript (React, Node.js), Python (Django, Flask), PHP (Laravel)
• Front-end: React.js, Next.js, Vue.js, HTML, CSS, TailwindCSS, SASS
• Back-end: Node.js, Express.js, Django, Flask, GraphQL, RESTful APIs
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Firebase, Redis
• DevOps & Tools: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, CI/CD (Jenkins, GitHub Actions), Terraform
• Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
• Design Tools: Figma, Photoshop, Corel Draw, InDesign, Illustrator
• Design Stack: UX, UI, Branding
• Soft Skills: Team collaboration, Report building, Excellent communication, Sales driven, People management

Work Experience

Senior Software Engineer | Domus Ltd | Remote | 06/2021 – Present

• Developed and maintained scalable payment solutions, improving transaction speeds by 40%.
• Designed and implemented RESTful APIs that enhanced data processing efficiency.
• Led a team of developers, conducting code reviews, mentoring juniors, and enforcing best practices.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams in an Agile/Scrum environment to meet project deadlines.

Software Developer | Myteacher Institute | Remote | 04/2019 – 05/2021

• Built and optimized web applications using React.js, Node.js, and PostgreSQL.
• Improved application load times by 35% through performance optimization.
• Integrated third-party APIs, improving functionality and user experience.
• Implemented automated unit and integration tests to enhance software reliability.

Projects & Open-Source Contributions

AgroConnect – github.com/charlesomeke/agroconnect

• Developed a React.js & Django application that connects Nigerian farmers to local and international buyers.
• Implemented features like real-time chat and automated order processing, reducing transaction times by 25%.

NaijaNewsBot – github.com/charlesomeke/naijanewsbot

• Built an open-source Telegram bot that delivers real-time Nigerian news updates.
• Integrated AI-based summarization, reducing reading time by 40%.

Education & Certifications

B.Sc. Computer Science, University of Port Harcourt – 2015

• Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Web Development, Cloud Computing

Certifications:

• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Developer
• Meta React Developer Certification

Additional Information

• Availability: Full-time | Contract | Freelance
• Time Zone: West Africa Time (WAT)
• Languages Spoken: English, Igbo, Yoruba
• Interests: Open-source contributions, Blockchain, AI/ML

How to Use This Resume:

• Tailor the Professional Summary and Work Experience to match each job description.
• Add specific numbers and quantifiable achievements where possible.
• Use keywords from job descriptions to improve ATS compatibility.
• Keep the formatting simple: avoid tables, columns, or excessive graphics.

 

Highlights of an ATS-Friendly Resume

1. The best place to start is with keywords. It is critical that you identify the keywords necessary for each position you are applying for. We suggest that you print the job description and underline the keywords youthink they are looking for, that also apply to you. Try to integrate their lingo and keywords into your documents, but only if they are consistent with your experience and what you have to offer.
2. Design your resume for both the human eye and the computer to read.
3. DO NOT USE: italics or underlines, graphics or logos, charts or graphs, tables or columns, or fancy bullets.
4. DO USE: Capitals, Small Capitals, Bold.
5. Instead of using columns, create lists in a single word string, with an “em dash” or vertical line to separate info that would have been in columns, examples of both “–“ and “|” :

Accounts Payable – General Ledger Reconciliation

Community Development | Intercultural Experience

6. Use only standard fonts:
7. Serif: Times New Roman, Cambria, Garamond, Georgia, or Palatino Linotype
8. San-serif: Calibri, Arial, Arial Narrow, Tahoma, Trebuchet, or Verdana
9. Use common section headings

 

Congratulations,

you are now ready to create a Resume that sells.

Create one now, wish you success.

For more tips, visit myteacher Institute 

or chat me directly via whatsapp +2348167656064

 

Access this file and templates via this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zgO_BI-Pscd2oIic487bqksbEoBm0jxX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117819374676511036401&rtpof=true&sd=true