placed-resume-optimizer

# Placed Resume Optimizer

AI-powered resume optimization for ATS compatibility, keyword matching, and bullet point quality — all via the Placed API. No MCP server required.

## API Key

Load the key from `~/.config/placed/credentials`, falling back to the environment:

```bash
if [ -z "$PLACED_API_KEY" ] && [ -f "$HOME/.config/placed/credentials" ]; then
  source "$HOME/.config/placed/credentials"
fi
```

If `PLACED_API_KEY` is still not set, ask the user:

> "Please provide your Placed API key (get it at https://placed.exidian.tech/settings/api)"

Then save it for future sessions:

```bash
mkdir -p "$HOME/.config/placed"
echo "export PLACED_API_KEY=<key_provided_by_user>" > "$HOME/.config/placed/credentials"
export PLACED_API_KEY=<key_provided_by_user>
```

## How to Call the API

```bash
placed_call() {
  local tool=$1
  local args=${2:-'{}'}
  curl -s -X POST https://placed.exidian.tech/api/mcp \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $PLACED_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d "{\"jsonrpc\":\"2.0\",\"id\":1,\"method\":\"tools/call\",\"params\":{\"name\":\"$tool\",\"arguments\":$args}}" \
    | python3 -c "import sys,json; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print(d['result']['content'][0]['text'])"
}
```

## Available Tools

| Tool                          | Description                                               |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| `check_ats_compatibility`     | ATS compatibility score and recommendations               |
| `get_resume_quality_score`    | Overall quality score with section breakdown              |
| `analyze_resume_gaps`         | Missing keywords and skills vs. a job description         |
| `match_job`                   | Score resume-job fit (0-100) with keyword breakdown       |
| `optimize_resume_for_job`     | Tailor resume content to a specific job                   |
| `optimize_resume_section`     | Optimize a specific section (experience, skills, summary) |
| `improve_bullet_point`        | Rewrite a single bullet point with stronger impact        |
| `generate_resume_from_prompt` | Generate a complete resume from natural language          |

## Usage Examples

**Check ATS compatibility:**

```bash
placed_call "check_ats_compatibility" '{"resume_id":"res_abc123"}'
# Returns: ATS score, formatting recommendations
```

**Get quality score:**

```bash
placed_call "get_resume_quality_score" '{"resume_id":"res_abc123"}'
# Returns: overall score, breakdown by section
```

**Analyze gaps vs. a job description:**

```bash
placed_call "analyze_resume_gaps" '{
  "resume_id": "res_abc123",
  "job_description": "Senior Software Engineer at Stripe — Go, distributed systems, Kafka..."
}'
# Returns: critical gaps, keyword gaps, suggestions
```

**Score resume-job match:**

```bash
placed_call "match_job" '{
  "resume_id": "res_abc123",
  "job_description": "..."
}'
# Returns: match score 0-100, matched/missing keywords
```

**Optimize resume for a job:**

```bash
placed_call "optimize_resume_for_job" '{
  "resume_id": "res_abc123",
  "job_description": "Senior Software Engineer at Airbnb..."
}'
# Returns: suggested section improvements
```

**Improve a single bullet:**

```bash
placed_call "improve_bullet_point" '{
  "bullet_point": "Worked on database optimization",
  "context": "Senior SRE at Uber"
}'
# Returns: rewritten bullet with metrics and impact
```

**Optimize a specific section:**

```bash
placed_call "optimize_resume_section" '{
  "resume_id": "res_abc123",
  "section_type": "experience",
  "section_data": "Current bullets here...",
  "job_description": "Target job description..."
}'
```

## Optimization Workflow

Run this before every application:

1. `match_job` — check current fit score
2. `analyze_resume_gaps` — identify missing keywords
3. `check_ats_compatibility` — catch formatting issues
4. `improve_bullet_point` — strengthen weak bullets
5. `optimize_resume_for_job` — get full tailoring suggestions
6. `match_job` again — confirm score improved

## Bullet Point Formula

```
[Action Verb] + [What You Did] + [How/Scale] + [Quantified Result]
```

**Before:** "Worked on database optimization"
**After:** "Optimized PostgreSQL query performance by 40%, reducing p99 latency from 500ms to 300ms for 10M+ daily users"

**Strong action verbs:**

- Technical: Architected, Built, Designed, Optimized, Implemented, Engineered, Migrated
- Leadership: Led, Managed, Mentored, Spearheaded, Directed
- Impact: Improved, Reduced, Increased, Accelerated, Scaled, Transformed

## ATS Compatibility Rules

| Issue                            | Fix                                    |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Tables or columns                | Use single-column layout               |
| Graphics or images               | Remove all non-text elements           |
| Unusual fonts                    | Use Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman |
| Headers/footers with key info    | Move to main body                      |
| Inconsistent date formats        | Use MM/YYYY throughout                 |
| Missing job description keywords | Add naturally to skills and bullets    |

## Tips

- ATS score below 70 → fix formatting first, then keywords
- Run `match_job` before and after optimizing to measure improvement
- Always review `optimize_resume_for_job` suggestions before applying
- Keep a master resume and create tailored copies per application

## Additional Resources

- **`references/api-guide.md`** — Full API reference with scoring rubrics and response schemas