Did you know that before a hiring manager sees your resume, it often needs to pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
Understanding the nuances of ATS and ensuring your resume is optimised for it can dramatically improve your chances of landing an interview.
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Here’s how to determine if your resume is ATS-approved and why you might consider having it professionally reviewed.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by recruiters and employers to collect, sort, scan, and rank the job applications they receive for their vacancies.
The ATS scans for keywords and phrases relevant to the job posting and ranks each resume based on how well it matches the job specifications.
This process means that a resume not only needs to appeal to the human eye but must also be optimised for the ATS.
How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly
- Use Keywords Effectively: Review the job description and note the skills, tools, and experiences that are mentioned. Make sure these are reflected in your resume, using the exact words and phrases from the job posting.
- Stick to Simple Formatting: While creative resumes might catch a human’s eye, an ATS may struggle to read them. Use a clean, straightforward layout and standard resume fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
- Avoid Tables and Columns: Some ATS software has trouble reading tables and columns correctly. Information might get jumbled or, worse, skipped over entirely. Stick to simple bullet points and clear headings.
- Include a Skills Section: This can help you clearly highlight relevant keywords and skills that are directly applicable to the job.
- Use Standard Resume Headings: Stick to traditional headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” to ensure the ATS can easily find and categorise information.
The Effectiveness of Your ATS-Approved Resume
Even if your resume is formatted to pass through an ATS, it doesn’t guarantee it will impress a hiring manager. This is where the content and strategic presentation of your information become crucial.
Your resume must tell a compelling story of your professional journey, emphasising achievements and skills rather than merely listing duties and responsibilities.
Why You Should Get Your Resume Reviewed
A professional resume review can provide several benefits:
Objective Insight
Professionals can provide an unbiased view of your resume, highlighting areas that may need improvement that you might not have noticed. This objectivity can help in crafting a resume that is not only reflective of your skills but also appealing to employers.
Industry Expertise
Resume reviewers are often well-versed in the latest industry trends and employer expectations. They can offer insights specific to your field, helping you highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant and in demand.
Beat the ATS Systems
As noted earlier, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to manage the initial screening of resumes. A professional can ensure your resume is optimised for these systems, increasing the likelihood that a human will review it.
Highlight Achievements Over Duties
Many job seekers struggle to focus on their achievements rather than simply listing job duties. A resume reviewer can help shift the focus of your resume to highlight measurable achievements that can set you apart from other candidates.
Enhance Formatting and Readability
A clean, well-organised resume is more appealing to recruiters. Professionals can enhance the formatting of your resume to ensure it is not only attractive but also easy to read and understand.
Reduce Errors
Spelling and grammatical errors can significantly undermine your application’s professionalism. Reviewers meticulously check for mistakes that could derail your chances of securing an interview.
Tailor Your Resume for Your Target Role
Experts can tailor your resume to better suit the specific roles you are applying for, using the right keywords and phrases to increase your visibility in ATS scans and make your resume more relevant to the job.
Boost Confidence
Knowing a professional has polished your resume can provide a significant confidence boost. You can submit your resume knowing it represents your best self, potentially increasing your confidence during interviews.
In conclusion, making sure your resume is both ATS-approved and effective requires careful attention to the details of your application.
While optimising for an ATS is crucial, engaging a human reader is the ultimate goal. In the end, an ATS-approved resume that is also compelling to human recruiters can significantly boost your chances of securing the job you desire.
