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How to Tailor Resumes for Lever ATS Specifically
Lever is one of the fastest‑growing applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by tech startups and mid‑size companies. If your resume can’t be parsed correctly, your application may never reach a human recruiter. This guide walks you through the exact steps to tailor resumes for Lever ATS specifically, using data‑driven tactics, checklists, and free Resumly tools that increase your odds of passing the first automated screen.
Why Lever ATS Matters
Lever’s parsing engine focuses on three core signals:
- Keyword relevance – matching the job description’s exact terms.
- Section clarity – recognizing standard headings like Experience, Education, and Skills.
- Formatting simplicity – avoiding tables, graphics, and complex bullet styles that can break the parser.
According to a recent Jobscan study, 75% of ATS‑screened resumes are rejected before a recruiter sees them, and Lever’s algorithm is among the strictest in the SaaS space. Tailoring your resume for Lever therefore isn’t optional; it’s a prerequisite for any serious job hunt in tech.
Understanding Lever’s Parsing Logic
Lever reads resumes as plain text, then maps content to its internal fields. Here’s a quick breakdown of what Lever looks for:
| Lever Field | Typical Heading | Example Content |
|---|---|---|
| Name | No heading needed – first line | Jane Doe |
| Contact | No heading – phone/email after name | (555) 123‑4567 • [email protected] |
| Experience | Professional Experience or Work History | Role, company, dates, bullet points |
| Education | Education | Degree, school, graduation year |
| Skills | Skills or Technical Skills | List of tools, languages, platforms |
| Certifications | Certifications | AWS Certified Solutions Architect |
If you deviate from these headings, Lever may place the information in the wrong bucket, causing keyword mismatches.
Core Principles of an ATS‑Friendly Resume
- Use standard headings – Professional Experience, Education, Skills.
- Keep formatting simple – single‑column layout, left‑aligned text, no tables or text boxes.
- Match exact job‑specific keywords – pull them directly from the Lever job posting.
- Prioritize recent, relevant experience – Lever scores the most recent 5 years higher.
- Include measurable achievements – numbers are parsed as plain text and improve relevance scores.
Pro tip: Run your draft through the free Resumly ATS Resume Checker to see how Lever would interpret it.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Tailoring for Lever
1. Pull the Job Description
- Open the Lever posting.
- Copy the Responsibilities and Qualifications sections into a separate document.
- Highlight exact phrases (e.g., "JavaScript", "cross‑functional teams", "Agile sprint").
2. Create a Keyword Master List
| Category | Keywords from Posting |
|---|---|
| Technical | JavaScript, React, Node.js, REST APIs |
| Soft Skills | cross‑functional collaboration, stakeholder management |
| Certifications | AWS Certified, Scrum Master |
3. Map Keywords to Your Experience
For each keyword, write a bullet that demonstrates you have that skill. Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and include numbers.
Example:
- Improved React component load time by 35% through code‑splitting and lazy loading, enabling a smoother user experience for 10,000+ daily active users.
4. Structure the Resume with Lever‑Friendly Headings
# Jane Doe
(555) 123‑4567 • [email protected] • LinkedIn: /in/janedoe
## Professional Experience
**Software Engineer**, TechCo – San Francisco, CA (Jan 2021 – Present)
- ...
## Education
**B.S. Computer Science**, State University – 2019
## Skills
JavaScript, React, Node.js, AWS, Git, Agile, SQL
## Certifications
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – 2022
5. Optimize Formatting
- Use Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica (10‑12 pt).
- Avoid headers/footers; Lever reads the main body only.
- Save as PDF (text‑based) or DOCX – never as an image‑based PDF.
6. Run a Final ATS Scan
Upload the file to the Resumly ATS Resume Checker. Fix any highlighted issues (missing headings, unsupported characters, etc.).
Lever‑Specific Checklist
- Use Professional Experience heading.
- List each role with Company, Location, Dates, and Bullets.
- Include at least 3 exact keywords from the posting.
- Keep bullet points under 2 lines each.
- Remove all tables, images, and text boxes.
- Save as PDF (text) or DOCX.
- Run through Resumly’s ATS checker and achieve 90%+ match score.
Do’s and Don’ts for Lever Resumes
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Do use a single column layout. | Don’t embed your contact info in a header/footer. |
| Do mirror Lever’s section titles. | Don’t use creative headings like Career Journey or What I Do. |
| Do quantify achievements (e.g., "increased revenue by 12%”). | Don’t rely on generic statements like "responsible for project management”. |
| Do include a Skills section with exact tool names. | Don’t list soft skills without context (e.g., "team player”). |
| Do run the resume through Resumly’s free tools before applying. | Don’t upload a scanned image PDF. |
Lever‑Specific Keywords & Phrases
Below are the top 20 keywords that frequently appear in Lever job posts for software roles (source: Lever’s public job feed 2024). Sprinkle at least 6–8 throughout your resume.
- JavaScript
- React
- Node.js
- REST APIs
- Agile
- Scrum
- Cross‑functional teams
- Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- CI/CD
- Test‑driven development (TDD)
- Microservices
- SQL/NoSQL
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Product roadmap
- Stakeholder management
- Data‑driven decisions
- User‑centered design
- Performance optimization
- Security best practices
Lever‑Friendly Tools from Resumly
- AI Resume Builder – Generates keyword‑rich bullet points in seconds.
- ATS Resume Checker – Gives you a Lever compatibility score and actionable fixes.
- Job‑Match Engine – Suggests the most relevant Lever jobs based on your profile.
- Auto‑Apply Chrome Extension – Sends your Lever‑optimized resume with one click.
Using these tools not only saves time but also ensures you stay aligned with Lever’s parsing rules.
Real‑World Example: From 0% to 85% Lever Match
Candidate: Alex Rivera, Junior Front‑End Engineer
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uploaded a generic PDF to Lever. | 0% match, rejected automatically. |
| 2 | Ran the file through Resumly’s ATS Checker. | Identified missing headings and non‑standard fonts. |
| 3 | Re‑structured using Lever‑friendly headings, added exact keywords, and removed a table. | Match score rose to 45%. |
| 4 | Used the AI Resume Builder to rewrite bullet points with numbers. | Match score hit 78%. |
| 5 | Final scan and minor tweaks (added “Agile sprint” phrase). | 85%+ match – interview invitation received within 48 hours. |
Takeaway: Small, systematic changes can dramatically improve Lever compatibility.
Mini‑Conclusion: Tailoring Resumes for Lever ATS Specifically
By following the step‑by‑step guide, using the Lever‑specific checklist, and leveraging Resumly’s free tools, you turn a generic resume into a Lever‑optimized asset that speaks the language of the ATS. The result? Higher visibility, more interview calls, and a smoother job‑search experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to create a separate resume for each Lever job posting? Yes. Lever’s keyword weighting changes per role, so a targeted version with the exact phrases from the posting yields the best match.
2. Can I use a template from Microsoft Word? Only if it follows a single‑column, no‑table format. Many fancy templates break Lever’s parser.
3. How often should I run the ATS Checker? Run it after every major edit—especially after adding new experience or tweaking keywords.
4. Does Lever read PDFs created from Google Docs? It does, but ensure the PDF is text‑based (not image‑based). Export via File → Download → PDF Document.
5. What if the job posting uses a synonym (e.g., “JavaScript” vs. “JS”)? Include both the full term and the abbreviation in separate bullet points to cover all bases.
6. Are soft‑skill keywords important for Lever? Yes, but they must be paired with concrete actions (e.g., “Led cross‑functional teams to deliver a MVP in 6 weeks”).
7. How does the Resumly Chrome Extension help with Lever? It auto‑fills Lever’s application forms with your optimized resume and cover letter, reducing manual errors.
8. Is there a way to see how Lever ranks my resume against other candidates? While Lever doesn’t publish rankings, a high match score from the Resumly ATS Checker correlates with better visibility in internal recruiter dashboards.
Final Takeaway
Tailoring resumes for Lever ATS specifically is a blend of keyword precision, clean formatting, and strategic use of tools. By implementing the checklist, following the step‑by‑step guide, and leveraging Resumly’s AI‑powered features, you position yourself at the top of Lever’s automated funnel and dramatically increase your chances of landing that coveted interview.
Ready to supercharge your job search? Visit the Resumly homepage to explore all features, or jump straight to the AI Resume Builder and start crafting your Lever‑ready resume today.
