Electronic media has transformed how employers choose qualified candidates. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) often provide the initial screening for your application. Which formatting suggestion should the job candidate follow before submitting their resume? a. Reformat as a plain-text document. What should you avoid including on your resume? Check all that apply. a. Unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics b. Interpersonal traits and attitudes c. Unfamiliar abbreviations e. Keyword summaries

1. a. Reformat as a plain-text document.

For a job candidate about to submit their resume through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it is recommended to reformat the resume as a plain-text document. This is because ATS software can struggle with parsing complex formatting, including multiple columns, images, tables, and other graphic elements. A plain-text document, with simple formatting, ensures that the ATS can read and categorize the information correctly, improving the chances of the resume passing the initial screening.

2. What should you avoid including on your resume? a. Unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics c. Unfamiliar abbreviations e. Keyword summaries

An ATS-friendly resume should avoid: a. Unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics: These elements can confuse ATS systems, potentially leading to parsing errors where the software cannot accurately read the content of your resume. c. Unfamiliar abbreviations: Unless common within the industry, abbreviations can be misunderstood or not recognized by the ATS, thus affecting the keyword matching for your skills and experiences. e. Keyword summaries: Instead of summarizing with just keywords, incorporate them naturally throughout your resume. This is because some ATS might consider blocks of keywords as an attempt to game the system and might flag such resumes.