Many businesses today employ software to filter out applicants’ resumes before they are ever seen by a human being. This software is known as an applicant tracking system (ATS). No matter how qualified you are, if your resume isn’t set up properly, it may never make it to the hiring manager’s attention.
This guide will explain how an ATS resume works, what it is, and how you can make your resume more appealing to an ATS.
What Is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?
Recruiters use the ATS to filter and sort job applications. It searches your resume for keywords. It validates your resume structure and rates your application against the resume description.
A poorly-formatted resume fails to impress the scanner. Recruiters reject a well-written application if the layout isn’t simple enough or the resume doesn’t include the right words.
An ATS compliant resume helps software and recruiters read your information easily.
How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume
You don’t need to overthink this. Focus on these key areas:
- Follow the standard resume format. Do not use tables, columns, images or text boxes. Most resume scanners read resumes in a single-column format.
- Firstly, include the appropriate keywords on your resume. Do read the job description thoroughly. Match the employer’s phrases, particularly with regard to job titles, skills and tools.
- Secondly, use a basic font style. Use simple, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial or Calibri. Decorative fonts may disrupt the way the ATS interprets your text.
- Thirdly, adopt the standard section headings. The ATS recognises labels such as “Work Experience”, “Education”, and “Skills” easily. Avoid creative alternatives.
- Lastly, save your file properly. Typically it’s best to use a .docx or standard .pdf. Always refer to the job posting for directions.
How Small Resume Changes Deliver Big Results?
Resume optimization doesn’t mean stuffing your resume with keywords. It is about communicating your experience and making it easy to scan.
Set your resume for each job. Match your language to the listing. Quantify your achievements where possible numbers catch the eye of both the ATS and the recruiter.
Check your resume for any job description with our free resume analyzer. It highlights missing keywords, flags formatting issues, and gives you a clear optimization score.