Finding a new job can be stressful, but many applicants don’t realize that their resumes are rejected even before they are seen by a recruiter. The reason for this is that many employers are using ATS or applicant tracking systems. This is a type of software that screens resumes based on the preferences and requirements of the employer, so recruiters can sort through massive numbers of candidates. Unfortunately, this means that if you don’t have an ATS resume, you could miss plenty of good job opportunities.
The ATS Basics
Before we can explore ways to create an ATS-friendly resume, it is important to understand a little more about the ATS software. ATS is used predominantly by HR personnel and recruiters to collect, sort and organize resumes based on a set of parameters. Larger companies tend to depend on using ATS, because they can receive thousands of resumes each week.
With ATS resume software, the companies are able to quickly sort through the applications. It scans resumes for specific keywords, and it can divide the applicants into different categories that look for the qualifications required for the roles. This eliminates the least qualified candidates, identifying the applicants most likely to be a best fit for the role.
Unfortunately, while this software has sped up recruiting, it does make job searching more challenging for applicants. If you don’t have an ATS-friendly resume, it’s possible that you could miss out on an interview, regardless of your experience, qualifications and capabilities.
Tips for Creating an Eye-Catching ATS Resume
Fortunately, it is possible to create an applicant tracking system resume with a few simple tips.
Stick to KISS
Both recruiters and the ATS software prefer concise resumes. So, stick to the KISS principle and keep it short & simple. Ideally, your resume should be less than one page with a clean layout and standard fonts. Although it may look pretty, avoid using fancy graphics as they can’t be read well by ATS.
Choose the Right Format
Pay attention to the job advertisement and ensure that you submit your resume in the correct format. Although a PDF was considered standard, some ATS software requires a word or .doc format.
Divide Your Resume into Logical Sections
While you may want to showcase your personal flair, ATS requires a simple format to properly scan resumes. So, keep your resume simple with logical section headings such as Education, Skills and Work Experience. This will make it easy for the ATS to scan your resume and it will still be straightforward for human review.
Consider Keywords
ATS software scans for specific keywords and phrases to match your skills and experience with the job requirements. So, you need to think about the words the employer will be looking for. Before you tailor your resume, read through the job description fully to look for the skills and requirements that you can include naturally across your resume.
Don’t Miss Out on the Details
While you want your resume to be ATS-friendly, it doesn’t mean that you should miss out on providing the important details of your work experience and skills. Include your relevant responsibilities and accomplishments to highlight your suitability for the role. This way, the ATS will flag the keywords, and your resume will still look good to recruiters.
Check for Common Resume Mistakes
Don’t be so focused on creating an ATS resume that you don’t do a final check for common resume mistakes. It’s very easy to miss out simple details like your contact information when you’re prioritizing ATS readability. So, be sure to have a full read through of your resume before you submit it.