When you apply for a job, your resume is often the first opportunity to show an employer why you are a good candidate. But what employers look for on a resume is not simply a list of previous jobs or qualifications.
Recruiters and hiring managers typically want to determine several things quickly: Can this person do the job? Do they have the relevant skills and experience? Have they achieved meaningful results? And does their background match what we need?
There is also an important technical factor. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to organize and screen applications. These systems can scan resumes for job-specific keywords, skills, qualifications, and other information before a recruiter reviews them.
That means a strong resume needs to work for both the technology and the human reading it.
Here are the 10 most important things employers commonly look for on a resume.
1. Relevant Work Experience
One of the first things employers look for is whether your previous experience is relevant to the position.
This does not necessarily mean you must have held exactly the same job title. Employers may also look at your responsibilities, projects, industries, and transferable skills.
For example, if a company is hiring an automation engineer, relevant experience could include:
- PLC programming
- HMI development
- SCADA systems
- Industrial networking
- Control systems
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Commissioning
- Technical documentation
A resume becomes stronger when your previous responsibilities clearly connect with the requirements of the position.
Hiring managers often scan resumes for experience that matches the role, along with relevant responsibilities and qualifications.
How to improve this section
Don’t simply write:
Automation Engineer — ABC Company
Instead, describe what you actually did:
Developed and commissioned PLC and HMI applications for industrial automation projects, integrated field devices, and supported system troubleshooting during commissioning.
This gives the employer a clearer picture of your capabilities.
2. Skills That Match the Job
Another major answer to what employers look for on a resume is relevant skills.
Employers generally want to see skills that directly relate to the position they are trying to fill.
For example, a software developer might need:
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- SQL
- Git
- API development
An accountant might need:
- Excel
- Financial reporting
- Bookkeeping
- Taxation
- Accounting software
An automation engineer might need:
- PLC programming
- SCADA
- HMI
- Modbus
- Profinet
- Instrumentation
- Troubleshooting
The best approach is to prioritize the skills specifically mentioned in the job description—provided you genuinely possess them. Current resume guidance recommends tailoring the skills section to the position rather than using one generic list for every application.
3. Resume Keywords
Resume keywords are words and phrases associated with the job, industry, qualifications, tools, and skills an employer is looking for.
For example, a job advertisement might say:
“Seeking a candidate with experience in PLC programming, SCADA, HMI, industrial communication, and troubleshooting.”
Those terms are important keywords.
You can naturally incorporate them into your:
- Professional summary
- Skills section
- Work experience
- Projects
- Certifications
- Education
Many ATS platforms scan resumes for relevant terms, so using the language of the job description can help your qualifications become easier for the system and recruiter to identify.
Important: Don’t keyword-stuff
Adding a keyword 20 times does not make a resume better.
For example, avoid:
PLC, PLC Programming, PLC Systems, PLC Automation, PLC Engineer, PLC Troubleshooting…
Instead, use the keyword naturally:
Programmed Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLC systems and supported troubleshooting and commissioning of industrial control applications.
The goal is relevance, not repetition.
4. Measurable Achievements
One of the biggest differences between an average resume and a strong resume is evidence of results.
Employers don’t only want to know what you were responsible for. They want to understand what you accomplished.
Compare these examples:
Weak
Responsible for energy monitoring systems.
Stronger
Integrated 95 energy meters into an industrial monitoring system and configured data transmission for centralized monitoring.
The second example tells the employer what you actually accomplished.
Whenever possible, include:
- Percentages
- Cost savings
- Revenue
- Number of customers
- Number of machines
- Number of projects
- Downtime reduction
- Efficiency improvements
- Project completion time
LinkedIn’s recruiter guidance specifically highlights performance metrics and KPIs as useful evidence of the impact a candidate has achieved.
5. A Clear Professional Summary
Your professional summary is usually near the top of your resume, so it should quickly communicate your value.
A strong summary answers:
Who are you?
What can you do?
What experience do you have?
What value can you bring?
For example:
Automation Engineer with 2+ years of experience in PLC programming, SCADA, HMI, industrial communication, and energy monitoring. Experienced in commissioning automation systems, troubleshooting control networks, and integrating industrial field devices.
This is more useful than a generic statement such as:
Hardworking and motivated professional looking for an opportunity to grow.
Your summary should be tailored to the position rather than copied unchanged for every application.
6. Education, Certifications, and Qualifications
Employers may also look at your education and professional qualifications to determine whether you meet the basic requirements for the position.
Depending on the job, this could include:
- Degree
- Diploma
- Professional certifications
- Technical training
- Licenses
- Industry certifications
- Specialized courses
For example, a cybersecurity position may require specific certifications, while an engineering position may require a relevant engineering degree.
Make these qualifications easy to find.
Example
Education
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
XYZ University
Certifications
- Siemens PLC Training
- Industrial Automation Certification
- AutoCAD Certification
Only include qualifications you actually hold.
7. Career Progression and Relevant Responsibilities
Employers may look at how your career has developed over time.
They may ask:
- Have your responsibilities increased?
- Have you taken on more complex projects?
- Have you moved into positions with greater responsibility?
- Have you developed new skills?
- Does your experience show professional growth?
For example:
Junior Automation Engineer → Automation Engineer → Senior Automation Engineer
can demonstrate increasing responsibility.
However, career progression doesn’t necessarily require multiple promotions. Taking ownership of larger projects, learning new technologies, mentoring coworkers, or managing more complex responsibilities can also demonstrate growth.
8. Problem-Solving and Transferable Skills
Technical skills are important, but employers also want to know how you work.
Common transferable skills include:
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Organization
- Project management
However, simply listing “problem-solving” doesn’t provide much evidence.
Instead, demonstrate it through your experience.
Instead of:
Strong problem-solving skills.
Try:
Diagnosed recurring Modbus communication faults, analyzed device responses, and implemented corrective configuration changes to improve communication reliability.
Now the employer can see how you used the skill.
Current hiring guidance continues to emphasize communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and other transferable capabilities alongside technical skills.
9. A Professional and Easy-to-Read Format
Your resume needs to be easy to scan.
A recruiter may review many applications, so complicated formatting can make important information harder to find.
A good resume should generally have:
- Clear section headings
- Consistent formatting
- Readable fonts
- Concise bullet points
- Consistent dates
- Proper grammar
- No unnecessary graphics
- Logical organization
ATS compatibility is another reason to keep the format straightforward. Indeed notes that some ATS tools can have difficulty interpreting images, graphics, tables, and charts.
Recommended structure
Name & Contact Information
Professional Summary
Core Skills
Professional Experience
Projects
Education
Certifications
This structure makes it easier for both recruiters and software to identify relevant information.
10. Evidence That You Are a Good Match
Ultimately, employers want to know:
Why should we interview this person?
Your resume should answer that question throughout the document.
If the employer wants a project engineer who can manage automation projects, your resume should show:
- Relevant engineering experience
- Project management
- Technical skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Measurable accomplishments
- Relevant education or certifications
This is why tailoring your resume for each job is so important.
Current resume guidance recommends taking the keywords and requirements from the job description and naturally incorporating the relevant ones into your resume.
What Employers Look for on a Resume at a Glance
| What Employers Look For | What You Should Show |
|---|---|
| Relevant experience | Responsibilities related to the target role |
| Technical skills | Job-specific tools, software, and knowledge |
| Keywords | Terms that match the job description |
| Achievements | Measurable results and accomplishments |
| Professional summary | Your experience and value |
| Education | Relevant degree and qualifications |
| Certifications | Industry-specific credentials |
| Career growth | Increasing responsibility and complexity |
| Transferable skills | Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, etc. |
| Professional presentation | Clear, concise, error-free formatting |
What Employers Don’t Want to See on a Resume
Knowing what not to include is just as important.
1. Generic Objective Statements
Avoid:
“Seeking a challenging position in a reputable organization where I can utilize my skills.”
This doesn’t tell the employer much about you.
2. Unnecessary Personal Information
Avoid including information that is irrelevant to the job unless specifically required.
3. Huge Lists of Skills
Listing 30–50 skills can make your resume look unfocused.
Choose the most relevant ones.
4. Unsupported Claims
Don’t write:
Excellent leader with outstanding problem-solving skills.
unless your experience demonstrates those abilities.
5. Spelling and Grammar Errors
Errors can make your application look careless. Hiring-manager guidance specifically notes formatting, grammar, and typos as things reviewers may notice when assessing resumes.
6. Keyword Stuffing
Using keywords unnaturally can make the resume difficult for humans to read and may weaken your application.
Indeed specifically recommends writing for both the ATS and the recruiter rather than stuffing the resume with keywords.
How to Make Your Resume Stand Out
A strong resume follows a simple formula:
Keyword + Skill + Action + Result
For example:
PLC Programming + Troubleshooting + Developed + Reduced downtime
Could become:
Developed PLC troubleshooting routines that helped reduce recurring equipment downtime.
Another example:
Project Management + Teamwork + Coordinated + Completed project
Could become:
Coordinated a cross-functional engineering team to complete an industrial automation project within the planned schedule.
This approach makes your resume much more convincing because it connects your skills with actual actions and outcomes.
How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description
Suppose the employer’s job advertisement says:
“We are looking for an Automation Engineer with experience in Siemens PLC, SCADA, HMI, Modbus TCP, troubleshooting, and commissioning.”
Your resume should reflect the relevant requirements if you genuinely have them.
Professional Summary
Automation Engineer with experience in Siemens PLC, SCADA, HMI, Modbus TCP, industrial troubleshooting, and system commissioning.
Skills
- Siemens PLC
- SCADA
- HMI
- Modbus TCP
- Industrial Automation
- Troubleshooting
- Commissioning
Experience
Programmed Siemens PLC and HMI systems, configured Modbus TCP communication, and supported commissioning and troubleshooting of industrial automation systems.
Now the employer can quickly see the connection between your background and the position.
Do Employers Look for Soft Skills on a Resume?
Yes, but soft skills should ideally be supported by evidence.
For example, writing:
Communication | Leadership | Teamwork
is easy, but it doesn’t prove anything.
A stronger approach is:
Coordinated with electrical, mechanical, and production teams during commissioning to resolve technical issues and meet project deadlines.
This demonstrates communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and coordination without simply listing the words.
Resume guidance also suggests that hard skills are often easier for ATS systems to identify, while soft skills are more effectively demonstrated through experience and accomplishments.
How Long Should a Resume Be?
The ideal length depends on your experience.
A recent graduate may be able to communicate their qualifications effectively on one page, while an experienced professional with several relevant projects may need two pages.
The important thing is not to make your resume longer simply to make it look impressive.
Ask yourself:
Does this information help prove that I am qualified for this particular position?
If the answer is no, consider removing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do employers look for on a resume first?
Employers commonly look for relevant experience, job-specific skills, qualifications, keywords, and evidence that your background matches the position. Hiring managers often scan resumes quickly for information related to the job requirements.
What skills do employers look for on a resume?
Common skills include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, technical expertise, digital literacy, project management, and critical thinking. The most important skills depend on the specific job.
Do employers use ATS to screen resumes?
Many employers use applicant tracking systems to organize and screen applications. ATS software can search for keywords and information related to job requirements.
Should I use keywords from the job description?
Yes, when the keywords genuinely describe your qualifications. Using relevant job-specific terminology can make it easier for an ATS and recruiter to identify your fit. Avoid copying the entire job description or adding skills you don’t possess.
Do employers care about achievements?
Yes. Accomplishments can help employers understand the impact you had in previous roles. Whenever possible, support your experience with measurable results, metrics, or specific outcomes.
Should I include soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but don’t rely only on a list of soft skills. Demonstrate them through your experience. For example, instead of simply saying “leadership,” describe a project you led or a team you coordinated.
Final Thoughts
So, what employers look for on a resume comes down to one central question:
Can this candidate demonstrate that they have the skills, experience, and qualifications needed to perform this job?
The strongest resumes make that answer obvious.
Focus on relevant experience, job-specific skills, keywords, measurable achievements, qualifications, career growth, transferable skills, and professional presentation. Most importantly, tailor your resume to the specific position instead of sending the exact same document to every employer.
Remember that ATS optimization is only one part of the process. A resume still needs to make sense to a real person. Current guidance recommends using relevant keywords naturally while keeping the document readable and honest.
A good resume doesn’t try to tell your entire career story.
It tells the employer why your particular experience and skills make you a strong match for this particular job.
