How do you balance the inclusion of keywords for applicant tracking systems (ATS) with maintaining a natural and readable flow in the resume?

Firstly, NETWORKING always comes first! See my profile video for what is likely to happy if you don’t put a heavy emphasis on networking. As far as ATS goes, most of my clients are way to focused on ATS vs networking. In the current market, you can’t just apply cold and expect results. If you are going to do that (I don’t recommend it) Include relevant keywords naturally within job descriptions and achievements to pass through ATS filters without sounding robotic. Keep the flow readable and human-focused, avoiding keyword stuffing that can turn off hiring managers. That said, strong networking can sometimes help bypass the ATS entirely by getting your resume directly to a recruiter or decision-maker. Building relationships can open paths that systems might block. 

A resume is an art to be designed by oneself but when doing so, one needs to ensure the attachment of the individual self while preserving the form. Let’s put this art into practice by taking practical measures!

Reason Out Which Keywords are Priority for the Role
Go through the job description and look for keywords that appear more than once, skills or qualifications, and make sure you include those in your resume in a natural way. That way, you'll make it ATS to read your document as relevant.
For instance: When a job mentions the term "project management" three times, it would be wise to incorporate it throughout the skills and job descriptions instead of just using it directly by copying and pasting all at once.

Limit the Usage of Keywords or Avoid the Jargon of Densities
Incorporation of keywords is very essential, but overstuffing the resume with forced phrases and symbolism can be damaging. Stick to the idea of using keywords in the right spots that allow normal communication and story-telling.
Tip of the Day: Instead of words like "team player," use terms like "collaborated on cross-functional teams to achieve X goal" which are more specific.

Employ the Use of Synonyms and Diverse Forms of the Keywords for the Optimization Level
The ATS software actively seeks the different variations of the key terms, thus be inventive. Symbolize different words or form phrases with different subjects (e.g."managed teams"vs. "team management").
For example, instead of just the keyword "time management," you could also use the term "streamlined schedules" to demonstrate your experience without repeating.

Combine the Text with ATS-Friendliness & Fun
A skills list that can be scanned by ATS is a fine idea but blending it with a statement filled with successes is even better. In fact, physical details mean more to recruiters than just a list of skills.
Feedback: Activate the resume by starting with action verbs like "coordinated"," "developed," or "improved" in order to make it feel real and ATS-friendly.

Run an ATS Test on Your Resume Prior to Its Sending Out 🖥
Utilize the free online facilities to measure how well your resume performs in the ATS setup. That would help you with the wording modification and yet keep the flow intact.
Example: Jobscan-Tools that provide you with specific information for your resume design improvement such as keyword optimization and ATS competence.

The proper setting is in a way where the ATS optimization and the readability go hand in hand so that technology and humans equally love your resume, thereby boosting your success rates.

When creating resumes, I ensure they are both ATS-friendly and engaging for human reviewers by following these strategies:

Natural Integration: I incorporate relevant keywords seamlessly into the content, focusing on making them part of a compelling story rather than just listing them. For example, instead of simply stating "SEO," I write, "Implemented SEO strategies to increase website traffic by 30%."

Contextual Usage: Keywords are placed within descriptions of achievements and responsibilities to provide meaningful context, ensuring the resume stays professional and impactful.

Dedicated Skills Section: I include a “Core Skills” or “Technical Skills” section to highlight key terms without disrupting the flow of the main content.

Readability First: While ensuring the resume passes ATS, I always prioritize readability for hiring managers by keeping the tone professional, using clear language, and avoiding keyword stuffing.

Customization: Each resume is tailored to the job posting, incorporating specific keywords from the description while maintaining a natural flow.

By using this approach, I strike the perfect balance between making the resume ATS-compliant and appealing to employers. Let me know if you have any additional preferences for your resume!

Balancing keywords for ATS and natural readability is like cooking a great meal, you need the right ingredients (keywords) but also a delicious presentation (flow).

Here’s how you can achieve it:

1. Understand the Recipe (Job Description):

Highlight the Must-Haves: Carefully read the job description to identify essential skills, qualifications, and terms.

Pick the Right Keywords: Focus on specific terms like "data analysis," "cybersecurity," or "project management." Skip buzzwords that add fluff but no value.

2. Sprinkle, Don’t Dump:

Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Throwing “team player” 12 times on your resume won’t win any awards. Use keywords naturally within context.

Blend Them In: Instead of a boring laundry list, say something like:
"Led cross-functional teams to improve data security protocols, resulting in 25% fewer breaches."

3. Use Strategic Sections:

Professional Summary: Introduce yourself with role-specific keywords while keeping it snappy.

Skills Section: This is your chance to shine with a keyword buffet—just don’t overdo it.

4. Tell a Story with Keywords:

Instead of robotic bullet points, craft sentences that show impact.
Example: "Optimized supply chain operations by implementing AI-driven solutions, reducing costs by 15%."

5. Keep It Human-Friendly:

Readable Layout: Use clear headings, consistent formatting, and bullet points. A recruiter should understand your resume at first glance.

No Acronym Overload: Spell out acronyms the first time.

6. Mix Action and Keywords:

Start each bullet point with action verbs and weave in keywords:
"Analyzed and mitigated network vulnerabilities, improving system uptime by 20%."

7. Test the ATS-Readiness:

Use Tools: Platforms like Jobscan can help you check how ATS-friendly your resume is.

Ask for Feedback: Have a friend or mentor review to ensure it’s not only ATS-friendly but also recruiter-friendly.

8. Don’t Forget the Humans:

Remember, the ATS only gets you through the door. A recruiter will ultimately decide if you’re a fit, so your resume needs to feel like you, not a robot.

Balancing ATS and readability is like preparing for both robots and humans, your goal is to impress the bots without sounding like one!

A balanced approach starts with studying the job posting to pinpoint the exact terms the ATS will likely scan for like “customer relationship management,” “data analysis,” or “budget oversight.” Then, naturally incorporate these phrases into your bullet points and summary. Instead of simply listing them, link the keywords to tangible achievements or responsibilities (e.g., “Improved client engagement by 20% through targeted CRM strategies”).

You can also mix in synonyms or related expressions to avoid repetition and keep the text flowing. Focus on delivering concise statements that showcase measurable results. This ensures your resume stays keyword-friendly for the ATS while remaining clear and compelling for human reviewers.

To balance ATS keywords with a natural flow, I strategically incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into the skills section, summary, and experience bullets. I ensure these keywords are seamlessly integrated into sentences that highlight achievements and responsibilities, maintaining a clear, professional tone. By focusing on storytelling with quantifiable results, I keep the resume engaging and human-readable while still meeting ATS requirements. This approach satisfies both automated systems and hiring managers.

Using the XYZ or STAR formula.

Using the right formula in resume writing makes it flow with the relevant keywords.

With any of the formulas, the resume flows with the accomplished (X), measured by results (Y) using skills/experience (Z) or Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR), the resume would seamlessly flow.

To balance ATS keywords and readability, I seamlessly integrate role-specific terms into concise, impactful statements. Keywords are naturally embedded in descriptions of skills, achievements, and job duties, ensuring alignment with the job posting while maintaining a professional, reader-friendly flow.