• Hiring managers can’t see your specific expertise
• ATS may not match niche keywords

• Replace generic titles with specific ones like 'Marine Mammal Trainer' or 'Canine Behavior Specialist'
• Include the species or environment you worked with

Job Title: Trainer

Job Title: Exotic Bird Trainer – Zoo

• Doesn’t demonstrate impact
• Fails to quantify results

• Start bullet points with action verbs
• Include metrics like number of animals trained, safety improvements, program success rates

• Trained animals for shows

• Trained 15 dolphins for weekly performances, increasing audience satisfaction scores by 22%

• ATS can’t parse the document
• Hiring managers skim and skip messy layouts

• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) 10‑12pt
• Keep margins 0.5‑1 inch
• Use clear headings and bullet points

Resume in a decorative script with multiple columns

Resume in clean single‑column layout with headings in bold

• Misses key qualifications
• ATS keyword gaps

• Create a dedicated 'Certifications' section
• List credentials like 'Certified Professional Animal Trainer (CPAT)', 'Animal Behavior Associate (ABA)'

No certifications listed

Certifications: Certified Professional Animal Trainer (CPAT) – 2022; OSHA Animal Handling Safety – 2021