An applicant tracking system refers to software applied in the hiring process by employers. Every time you apply for a job that strikes your interest, the ATS scans your resume to extract various information such as one’s skills, job titles, and education.
Knowing the way an ATS resume works can enable you to make the adjustments you need to have in your resume so that, the scan will find you passable. Once you know about the ATS, you will boost your chances of being noticed by employers.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through what an ATS is, how to format your resume, and what content can be written to increase your chances of getting past the scan.
Let’s get started!
What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, a powerful software designed to help companies manage and streamline their hiring processes. Instead of having recruiters sift through hundreds or even thousands of resumes manually, ATS automates and simplifies these tasks.
At Top Tier Resume, we specialize in creating friendly ATS resumes that increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Our expertly crafted resumes are designed to align with ATS algorithms, ensuring that your application stands out in today’s competitive job market.
How Does ATS Work?
ATS scans and sorts resume within seconds based on specific keywords, job titles, skills and education. It enables employers to go through thousands of applications without much effort. Moreover, it saves valuable time for recruiters while making the latter find the best fit in the most expedient way possible.
How to Write an ATS Resume? – 6 Essential Tips to Get Noticed
There is a lot to take care of in creating an ATS resume. You must not forget about things that would make the ATS overlook your application.
Here are the 6 ways to stand out and ensure that your resume isn’t neglected during the process of uploading through an ATS:
Use an ATS Resume Template
Friendly ATS Resume templates use simple designs that work well with applicant tracking systems. These systems scan your resume and pull out important details, like skills and experience, into their software. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS might miss important information or keywords.
By using a template made for ATS, you reduce the chances of this happening. Not all templates are ATS-friendly, however, some are pre-formatted to work smoothly with these systems, with clear sections that help ATS easily find and organize your details.
Use Bold Headings to Organize Resume Sections
Ensure that you title and classify each part of your resume with simple titles such as “Professional Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Apart from helping recruiters understand the types of section labels, they will also help the Applicant Tracking Systems identify these for you.
In this way, ATS will easily locate the important facts, like years of experience, academic degrees and certifications, and specific skills. With clear and labeled organization, you have a better chance of getting your resume seen by the hiring manager as well as ATS as it makes it easier to ease the qualification assessment against the job requirements.
Try Not to Use Headers, Columns, Tables or Graphics
Many ATS can read only plain text and which may have issues with sophisticated formatting. This means any information you place in tables, columns, headers, footers, images, charts or other graphics could be skipped by the ATS. Consequently, you may end up ignoring crucial details.
To avoid such issues, do not use any formatting elements or select resume templates specifically designed to be ATS-compatible when getting one created. With a plain-text layout featuring clear sections, an ATS Resume will easily scan and identify all your qualifications, skills, and experience without missing any important information about you.
Use an Friendly ATS Resume Font
ATS-friendly are simple fonts that will guarantee your resume remains legible in the machine and to hiring managers. ATS fonts include fonts like Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond and Georgia. All these fonts are clear and contain no overly stylized elements that could lose some data during interpretation to the Applicant Tracking System.
The font size should be either 10 or 12. This is because a 10-point font is as large as the text needs to be to avoid being too difficult to read. While not using unnecessary space, it is beneficial when one has a lot to say.
Using an ATS-friendly font, along with the right size, makes your resume look professional. It also makes sure that all your important information reaches the ATS without getting mashed on the way.
Focus on Keyword Optimization
Once you have a layout that is friendly to ATS, add some keywords that the employer’s ATS will look for. If your resume does not contain these keywords, it may get screened out during screening.
One way through which you may determine what keywords to use is by taking your time reading the job description closely. You are actually looking for often repeated words or phrases that have been listed as important in the job ad. If you have those skills or qualifications make sure you update your resume in such areas.
Choose the Right Resume File Type
A PDF is great for keeping your document’s format intact. However, not all ATS systems can read PDF files. Before you upload your resume, check the list of accepted file formats. If a PDF isn’t listed, choose a .doc or .docx file instead.
Closing Point
Writing an friendly ATS Resume can make a big difference in landing your next job. By focusing on a clear layout, optimizing with relevant keywords, using a compatible font and choosing the right file format, you can increase your chances of getting noticed.
Following 6 essential tips above, your ATS resume will pass ATS screenings smoothly, increasing the likelihood of connecting with hiring managers and securing an interview. If you need expert guidance to prepare an ATS-friendly resume for your next job interview, contact us now!
