Is your resume not getting noticed by recruiters? You might be doing a few things incorrectly, like not optimizing your document for an ATS scan. Don’t know what it is? No worries!
If you want to get your resume noticed by recruiters or employers, then firstly, it needs to be fit to pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). How does this system help?
Well, these systems filter resumes based on specific criteria, ensuring only top-notch applications reach hiring managers. In this guide, we will discuss optimizing your resume for ATS screening so that it reaches human recruiters.
Understanding How ATS Works
Before optimizing your resume, it’s important to understand what an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is and how it functions. ATS software plays a critical role in modern recruitment processes.
What Is an Applicant Tracking System, and Why Does It Matter?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS tool) is a smart yet easy-to-use software, mostly used by employers and companies. This brilliant tool comes in handy to manage the hiring process when there are hundreds or thousands of job applications.
What exactly does it do?
It scans resumes, searching for specific keywords, qualifications, and formatting. Your resume may get automatically rejected before a recruiter sees it if it doesn’t meet specific criteria.
- How ATS Filters Resumes: ATS software scans your resume for relevant keywords and sections, such as skills, job titles, and education. It then scores your resume based on how well it matches the job description. Resumes with higher scores are passed on to human recruiters.
- Why ATS Optimization Is Important: Many companies use ATS to streamline hiring, so optimizing your resume for ATS is critical to ensuring your application isn’t overlooked.
Understanding how ATS works can help you craft a resume that stands a better chance of passing through the initial screening.
Common Resume Mistakes That Cause ATS Rejection
Even a well-written resume can be rejected by ATS if it is not formatted correctly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Using Images, Graphics, or Non-Standard Fonts: ATS software may not recognize images, graphs, or decorative fonts. Stick to plain text and standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.
- Including Headers, Footers, or Tables: If you do not want to lay trouble for yourself, then do not use these elements. It can cause parsing errors in ATS, making your information unreadable.
- Missing Keywords from the Job Description: Failing to use the same terms as the job posting can result in a low match score. Make sure to include relevant keywords and phrases.
You need to avoid these common mistakes like a plague, which will help improve your chances of passing ATS screening without any issues.
Steps to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume
Now that you understand what an ATS is and how it works, it’s time to buckle your shoes. In this section, you will learn how to optimize your resume for ATS compatibility.
Choosing the Right Keywords and Phrases
Keywords are the terms and phrases that an ATS looks for. This tool leaves no stone unturned by determining if your resume matches the job description. Including the right keywords can significantly improve your chances of passing ATS filters.
- Review the Job Description: Identify key skills, qualifications, and terms mentioned in the job posting. These are likely the keywords that the ATS is scanning for.
- Include Industry-Specific Terms: Use relevant industry jargon, software, certifications, or techniques that apply to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a digital marketing role, include terms like “SEO,” “Google Analytics,” or “content strategy.”
- Use Both Acronyms and Full Terms: Some ATS software may recognize one format but not the other. For example, write both “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” and “SEO.”
Once you know all these tricks, you can start including the right keywords in your resume to help you achieve a higher match score and increase the likelihood that it will reach a human recruiter.
Formatting Your Resume for ATS Compatibility
Proper formatting is crucial to ensure your resume is readable by ATS software.
Below, we have shed some light on formatting rules to follow:
- Use Standard Section Headings: Stick to common section headings like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” “Education,” etc. Keep in mind – ATS may not recognize unusual headings.
- Save Your Resume in the Right Format: While some ATS can read PDF files, others may struggle. You also need to start saving your resume as a .doc or .docx file to be on the safe side.
- Avoid Complex Layouts: A simple layout can do wonders, so you need to look for a neat layout. Moreover, go for a single-column layout that does not contain any unwanted tables, text boxes, or graphics. This ensures that ATS can parse your content without errors.
- Use Bullet Points for Lists: Bullet points are easier for ATS software to read than paragraphs. Use them to list job duties, skills, and achievements.
Following these formatting tips will help you create a resume that is not only ATS-friendly but also be easy for human recruiters to read.
FAQs Section
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
It is an intelligent software tool that passes the right candidate like a piece of cake. Employers mostly use this next-gen tool to manage the recruitment process. It scans resumes for relevant keywords and formats, filtering out resumes that do not meet specific criteria.
How does ATS filter resumes?
ATS software filters resumes by scanning for specific keywords, qualifications, and section headings that match the job description. It assigns scores based on how well the resume aligns with the requirements and forwards the highest-scoring resumes to recruiters.
How can I optimize my resume for ATS easily?
Suppose you want to optimize your resume for ATS. In that case, you must add relevant keywords from the job description, stick to standard formatting, avoid images or graphics, and use bullet points for easy readability. Last but not the least, save your resume in a .docx or .doc format to avoid parsing issues.
What keywords should I include in my resume for ATS?
Include keywords that match the skills, qualifications, and experience required in the job description. Industry-specific terms, software, and certifications relevant to the position are also valuable keywords.
Can poor formatting cause my resume to be rejected by ATS?
Yes, poor formatting can prevent ATS from reading your resume correctly, causing important information to be overlooked. Many job seekers put headers, footers, images, tables, and complex layouts, so avoid it at all costs. Stick to the basics and get the job of your dream.
How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?
You can use any online tools like Jobscan or Resumatch to analyze your resume’s ATS compatibility. These tools compare your resume to the job description which is posted on job boards. Additionally, it shares great suggestions that can help you in numerous ways, such as:
- optimizing keywords
- formatting
- content
Conclusion
If you want to hone your optimizing skills for your resume, then ATS is your best bet. Doing so is vital for your career because the job market is fierce, and it is growing tremendously as we speak. Even one wrong move by you can keep you away from your dream job, so the choice is yours. Let’s revise what you learned today about how ATS works and how to avoid mistakes:
- Choose the right keywords.
- Use proper formatting.
Easy-peasy, right? So follow these simple hacks to become the early bird (candidate) to get the worm (job) by passing smoothly through the ATS screening. Just go through our detailed guide carefully and follow all the steps to meet all ATS requirements. By doing this, you are also increasing your chances of making a strong impression on the human reviewers and getting the desired role. You can apply the same rules for resumes for different roles. We wish you the best in your career.
