• ATS cannot match your resume to compliance‑focused job descriptions
• Hiring managers assume you lack core trade knowledge
• Reduces keyword density for high‑impact terms

• Add specific terms such as HS codes, INCOTERMS, tariff classification, customs clearance, and trade compliance
• Incorporate these keywords in the Professional Summary and Core Competencies sections
• Use measurable achievements that reference these terms

Professional Summary: Experienced logistics professional with strong background in shipping and documentation.

Professional Summary: Experienced Customs Broker skilled in HS code classification, INCOTERMS negotiation, and customs clearance for $200M+ annual import/export volume.

• ATS parses resumes top‑to‑bottom and expects chronological sections
• Functional formats hide dates and employers, causing parsing errors
• Hiring managers may view the layout as outdated

• Switch to a reverse‑chronological format
• Place each role under a clear 'Professional Experience' heading with dates and location
• Keep a concise 'Core Competencies' list separate from experience

Skills: Customs clearance, Documentation, Trade compliance Experience: Various roles in logistics and shipping.

Professional Experience Customs Broker, XYZ Logistics, New York, NY – Jan 2020 to Present • Managed customs clearance for $150M import volume, reducing delays by 22%. Core Competencies • HS Code Classification • INCOTERMS Negotiation • Trade Compliance Management

• Hiring managers skim for results, not responsibilities
• ATS scores higher when bullet points contain action verbs and metrics
• Duties make your impact appear vague

• Start each bullet with a strong verb (e.g., streamlined, negotiated, reduced)
• Quantify results (percentages, dollar amounts, time saved)
• Focus on outcomes that demonstrate value to previous employers

- Handled customs documentation. - Communicated with freight forwarders. - Ensured compliance with regulations.

- Streamlined customs documentation process, cutting clearance time by 30% and saving $45K annually. - Negotiated INCOTERMS with freight forwarders, reducing shipping costs by 12%. - Implemented compliance audit that achieved 100% regulatory adherence for three consecutive years.

• ATS may misread dates, causing timeline gaps that raise red flags
• Hiring managers question unexplained gaps
• Inconsistent formats reduce parsing accuracy

• Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY (e.g., 04/2018)
• If gaps exist, include brief explanations or freelance/consulting work
• Ensure every role has a start and end month/year

Customs Broker – XYZ Logistics – 2019 – Present

Customs Broker – XYZ Logistics – 04/2019 to Present