Mistakes to avoid when listing your name on your resume

When you submit your resume online, it's added to the company's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

If your name is NOT in the expected format, it won't load properly into the ATS, and you won't show up when the recruiter or hiring manager goes to look for you. Pitfalls to watch for:

  1. If you want to add a header above your name to highlight an expertise, you might list this:

Business Development Visionary

Robert Smith

But this is what your name will be in the ATS: Visionary, Business Development

2. If you want to show a certification or education, you might list this:

Robert Smith, CPA

But this is what your name will be in the ATS: CPA, Robert Smith

3. If you like the effect of spacing out your name, you might list this: R o b e r t S m i t h

But this is what your name will be in the ATS: B, R O

PRO-TIPS:

1. Do NOT put your name or contact info into a header, footer, or text box because the ATS may not read them. Just be old-fashioned and list your info at the top of the page in the main body of the document. Yes, it's a boring format, but it works!

2. Your first and last names need to be at the VERY top of your resume on a line with NO other information. If you want to list certifications or education, put them on the line UNDERNEATH your name.   

3. Do NOT expand your name or contact info using the space bar because the ATS will recognize each space as an indication the word has ENDED

******** TRIPLE IMPORTANT PRO-TIP

The same spacing tip also applies to your email address and phone number. If you use the space bar to stretch out your details, that string of characters NO LONGER matches the format recognized by the ATS, so your address and phone number WILL NOT load into the ATS fields.

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