8 tips for an ATS friendly resume
The use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) has increased dramatically in recent years, thanks to advances in technology. Automation has made our lives easier, by reducing manual tasks and increasing business efficiency. This has given us more time to focus on tasks that add value to our businesses.
But the question is, how do I make my resume ATS compliant?
Here I break it down for you in 8 easy steps.
How do you make your resume ATS compliant?
- Chronological order
Make sure your career history is chronological – this is the most compatible format with an ATS. Listing your most recent experience first is key, and will give you the best chance of an ATS picking up your skills and experience.
- Headings
ATS loves headings! ‘Work experience,’ ‘Career History,’ Education’ are all terms ATS love. Do not use unusual headings such as ‘What I studied’ or ‘Where I worked’ as these terms will fly under the radar, in a bad way!
- Keywords
Use job-related keywords referenced in the job advertisement and/or job description. i.e., if you are a graphic designer, make sure you include all the wonderful creative platforms and programs you use. If you are an IT analyst – definitely include your technical expertise/systems/programs. Do not just list them at the beginning of your resume, make sure you weave them throughout where appropriate. The more the merrier!
- Keep it relevant
Do not use nonspecific keywords – what I mean by this is do not fill your resume with every keyword under the sun, whether 100% relevant or not – as the resume bots will notice this. If possible, review the job advertisement or position description, and fill your resume with the types of keywords they include – this will increase the relevancy of your resume and have the best chance of being read by an actual human! In the world of SEO, “keyword stuffing” refers to the overuse of desirable keywords to try and influence search engines to send you more traffic. However, this is seen as spam and ultimately does you more harm than good. The same principle applies to keywords in your ATS-compliant resume.
- Templates
Use an ATS-friendly template – keep it simple, easy to read, and follow. Having lots of shapes, bubbles, colours, pictures, etc. confuses an ATS and it may discount your resume and put it in the ‘too hard basket
- Fonts
Use an ATS-friendly font – this means just use an easy-to-read font. Skip the cursive and go for a well-renowned font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
- Format
Save your resume as a PDF or .docx – keep it simple, and leave the weird and wonderful file types away.
- Customised
Customise your resume for each job application – keeping the keywords specific and directly relevant to the job you are applying for, will give you the best chance of making it past the bots behind the ATS!
So, in summary, ATSs definitely have their place and if used correctly, can save countless hours, and dollars, and result in some fantastic hires for the organization!
Applicant Tracking System (ATS) FAQs
Is it important to have an ATS-friendly resume?
With so many automated resume screening systems in place, it’s important to write resumes that are ATS-friendly so they will be seen by human recruiters. By tailoring your resume to the specific requirements of each job you’re applying for, you can increase your chances of getting through the screening process and being seen by a hiring manager.
Are Google resume templates ATS-friendly?
Google Docs resume templates are optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so the formatting, fonts, and margins are correctly displayed for easy viewing. ATS is an automated system used by employers to review resumes, selecting those that display keywords or qualifications that match the role.
What are Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) helps recruiters and employers keep track of candidates during the recruiting and hiring process. ATS software makes it easy to collect and store data about job applicants, and to quickly identify the most qualified candidates for a position.
******************************
Written by Emma Moore. Based in Bayside in Melbourne, Emma has spent 15 years in Corporate Talent Acquisition roles in global organizations across Consulting, Professional Services and Telecommunications. Emma has tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Business (Human Resource Management) and Careers Development and Education. Emma has read and provided feedback on thousands of resumes, interviewed hundreds of candidates and made those all important hiring decisions with her stakeholders. Emma is in a unique position to enable you to represent yourself in the best possible way. She knows exactly what prospective employers like to see and hear throughout the application and interview process as a result of being ‘on the other side of the fence’ for so many years.
Want to work with Emma? Contact her today to set up a Resume, LinkedIn or Interview Coaching session.
