You find a job posting you’re actually excited about. The kind that makes you sit up straighter, imagine the upgraded LinkedIn headline, and maybe even Google the office dress code.
You’re tempted to hit “Apply” right away.
But wait. Before you submit anything, take five minutes to do this. It’s a simple trick to beat the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and dramatically increase your chances of getting noticed.
Step 1: Update your resume’s opening section
If you don’t already have a Summary Statement at the top of your resume, it’s time to add one.
Skip the outdated Objective section. Hiring managers are focused on what you can do for them, not what you want from the job. Instead, write a short paragraph or a few sharp bullets that highlight your most relevant, high-impact strengths.
Step 2: Target roles in your zone of genius
It sounds obvious, but skip the spray-and-pray approach. Instead, focus on roles where your background, skills, and track record naturally line up. It’ll make tailoring your resume faster and more effective.
Step 3: Ask ChatGPT to decode the job post
Copy the entire job description and paste it into ChatGPT with this prompt:
“Please pull out the 10 most important skills from this job description that I should include in my resume before I apply to increase my chances of getting shortlisted by the ATS.”
For example, I ran this exact prompt on a real EA posting from a startup in Silicon Valley and got this back:
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Executive Calendar Management
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C-Suite Support Experience
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Travel and Expense Management
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Communication and Email Management
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Project and Event Coordination
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Confidentiality and Discretion
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Leadership and Team Collaboration
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Technology Proficiency
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Problem-Solving and Proactive Thinking
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Stakeholder and Relationship Management
Step 4: Use those skills to generate a summary
Take the list of key skills and plug them into ChatGPT with this follow-up prompt:
“Turn this into a concise summary statement that I can put at the top of my resume.”
You’ll get something like this:
Strategic Senior Executive Assistant with 8+ years of experience supporting C-suite executives, including CEOs, in fast-paced corporate environments. Expertise in executive calendar management, global travel coordination, high-volume communication handling, and confidential business operations. Adept at leading teams, managing high-profile stakeholder relationships, and optimizing executive productivity. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and executive-level project coordination. Recognized for discretion, problem-solving, and a proactive approach to streamlining operations.
Step 5: Edit for your own story
Don’t just copy and paste. Refine the statement so it reflects your actual experience and voice. Once it feels aligned with your career story and the role, paste it into the top of your resume.
That’s it. A five-minute tweak that can make a real difference in getting your resume through the automated gatekeeper and into the hands of a human being.
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