Cracking the Code: Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
Beating the system
In today’s digital age, there are gatekeepers everywhere, including at the door to your dream job. Not knowing whether or not your resume is even getting past digital systems (and onto the desk of the hiring manager) can be frustrating. The digital filter keeping so many resumes from making it past the first obstacle is the much-disliked applicant tracking system (ATS).
There’s nothing more disheartening than putting all of your time and energy into building a resume to showcase your expertise, only to see “0 new messages” in your inbox day after day. How is it possible to send out hundreds of resumes and barely get any replies?
Understanding how ATS systems work is the key to getting past this digital gatekeeper and ensuring your resume lands on the desk of a hiring manager.
What is an Applicant Tracking System?
Think of an ATS system as a resume-reading robot. When you apply for a job online, your resume goes straight to it for review. The ATS first scans your resume for required section headers (i.e. Profile Summary, Personal Work Experience, Education, etc.), and then the ATS scans those sections for specific keywords and information. If it can accurately break down your resume, the system then ranks your application based on how well it matches the job criteria of the roles that you are applying for. Only the top-ranking resumes can get past the ATS filter and actually make it to the important stage -- review from an actual hiring manager.
Why is ATS Optimization Critical?
Up to 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS systems before a human ever sees them. That means if your resume isn't optimized for ATS, you’re missing out on job opportunities, no matter how qualified you are. Even if you're the perfect candidate, a poorly-formatted resume could mean you never get the chance to prove it.
Today's job market is competitive enough already, and if you can’t even get your resume in front of a set of real human eyes, it’s easy to lose faith. But don’t lose hope just yet, because we've got a checklist to help pass ATS systems and help you land the role you deserve.
ATS Checklist
Keep it Simple: Fancy designs might look great, but they can confuse ATS systems. Stick to a clean, simple format with standard headings like "Work Experience" and "Education".
Use the Right File Type: Submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf file unless otherwise specified. These formats are usually ATS-friendly and easier for AI to decipher.
Include Keywords: ATS look for specific words and phrases from the job description. Sprinkle these throughout your resume naturally.
Avoid Headers and Footers: Some ATS have trouble reading information in headers and footers. Keep all important details in the main body of your resume.
Use Standard Fonts: Forget those fun font choices. Stick to common, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Spell Out Acronyms: While you might know what "CRM" means, an ATS might not. Spell out acronyms at least once, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
Use Reverse Chronological Order: List your most recent job first and work backwards. This is the format most ATS are programmed to understand.
Avoid Tables and Columns: These can jumble your information when parsed by an ATS. Stick to a single-column format.
Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments. ATS (and humans) love specific, measurable results.
Proofread: Typos and misspellings can trip up an ATS. Double-check everything before you submit.
Getting to the interview
Remember, while it's important to optimize for ATS, you're ultimately writing for a human reader. Strike a balance between ATS-compatibility and creating a compelling narrative to showcase your expertise.
By following these guidelines, you'll increase your chances of getting past the ATS and into the hands of a hiring manager. And that's when the real magic happens - your skills and experience can shine, taking you to that crucial next step: an actual interview.
Get your ATS-compatible resume
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