# FolioX Glossary

> Definitions for portfolio, resume, ATS, CV, cover letter, and job search terms.

- **URL**: https://foliox.me/glossary

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- [ATS](/glossary/ats): ATS = Applicant Tracking System. It reads your resume before humans do. Learn exactly how ATS works, what it rejects, and a 7-point checklist to beat it every time.
- [Resume](/glossary/resume): A resume is a 1-2 page document that gets you job interviews. See the exact structure hiring managers expect in 2026, with real examples and formatting rules.
- [CV](/glossary/cv): CV stands for curriculum vitae. In the US it often means a long academic document; in the UK and elsewhere it may mean the same as a US resume.
- [Portfolio](/glossary/portfolio): A portfolio is a curated showcase of your best work--projects, designs, or code--with context on your role and outcomes. It complements your resume with proof, not just claims.
- [Cover Letter](/glossary/cover-letter): A cover letter is a short letter sent with your resume explaining why you want the role and why you are a fit--usually one page, tailored to the company.
- [ATS-Friendly](/glossary/ats-friendly): ATS-friendly means your resume parses correctly in applicant tracking systems. See the exact formatting rules, a 7-point checklist, and common mistakes that get resumes rejected.
- [Resume Format](/glossary/resume-format): Resume format is how you structure and lay out your resume--usually reverse-chronological, single column, with clear Experience, Education, and Skills sections.
- [Personal Brand](/glossary/personal-brand): Personal brand is how you are known professionally--your skills, focus, and story across your resume, portfolio, and online presence.
- [LinkedIn](/glossary/linkedin): LinkedIn is a professional network recruiters use to find candidates. Keep it aligned with your resume and link to your portfolio when you have one.
- [Job Portfolio](/glossary/job-portfolio): A job portfolio is work samples you show employers during a search--case studies, projects, or campaigns that prove skills your resume only describes.
- [Developer Portfolio](/glossary/developer-portfolio): A developer portfolio showcases coding projects with context--problem, stack, your role, and outcomes--not just a list of GitHub repositories.
- [Portfolio Examples](/glossary/portfolio-examples): Strong portfolio examples share clear case studies, clean design, and fast load times--usually 3-5 projects, not everything you have ever made.
- [Resume Objective](/glossary/resume-objective): A resume objective states what role you want--useful for career changers or new graduates. Most experienced candidates should use a summary instead.
- [Professional Summary](/glossary/professional-summary): A professional summary is a 2-4 sentence overview at the top of your resume stating your level, focus, and key strengths--often the first thing recruiters read.
- [Hard Skills vs Soft Skills](/glossary/hard-skills-vs-soft-skills): Hard skills are measurable technical abilities; soft skills are interpersonal strengths. List hard skills clearly; show soft skills through accomplishments.
- [Resume Action Verbs](/glossary/resume-action-verbs): Start resume bullets with strong action verbs--Built, Led, Shipped, Increased--to make contributions clear and scannable for recruiters and ATS.
- [Work Experience](/glossary/work-experience): Work experience is the core resume section listing jobs in reverse-chronological order with titles, dates, and outcome-focused bullets.
- [Resume References](/glossary/resume-references): You usually do not put references on your resume unless asked. Prepare a separate list of 3-5 contacts and share it when requested.
- [Resume Builder](/glossary/resume-builder): A resume builder helps you create a formatted resume from templates--look for ATS-friendly layouts, clean exports, and optional portfolio pairing.
- [Resume Keywords](/glossary/resume-keywords): Resume keywords are skills and terms from the job description woven into your experience--helping ATS and recruiters see a clear match.