Can You Outsmart an Applicant Tracking System? 6 Ways to Optimize Your Resume for ATS
If you’re applying for jobs these days, it’s almost a given that you’ll be submitting your resume electronically. That means your resume needs to be optimized for an applicant tracking system (ATS). Employers use these systems to screen resumes and determine which candidates to interview. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your resume navigates the ATS well.
You can put together the most exciting resume, but it may be quickly be sorted away if keywords are missing and it isn’t formatted well. So, how do you create an ATS-compliant resume? We’ve got some essential tips for you.
Creating an ATS-Friendly Resume
An ATS identifies keywords and experience throughout the resume, then uses the information to provide the recruiter with a score for compatibility. The employer will generally only look at the highest-scoring resumes that match the closest job descriptions. While there are multiple different ATS systems, the rules of successfully navigating them are all essentially the same.
1. Basic is best
Use a document with traditional formatting and professional fonts. Don’t add to the headers and footers, and avoid using tables. Bullet points are great, but avoid icons. As for logos and images? Utilize those to beef up your LinkedIn profile, but leave them off your resume.
2. Use professional phrases
The applicant tracking system doesn’t understand industry jargon. Your application should be concise and well-formatted. Use common phrases to label your sections, such as “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Contact Info.” Sure, you might feel like you’re submitting a rather dull-sounding application. But a candid resume with “Experience” that the ATS can read is far better than creative titles, such as “Ninja Skills,” that won’t score well.
3. Create a unique title
That said, a best practice is to start your resume with a title that includes a summary of your qualifications. The title on your resume will be the first thing that the ATS reads. Use keywords so your title can multitask for you. Think of it as your business card and your elevator pitch all in one.
For example, try a title like “Marketing Manager with 12 years of experience directing social media campaigns and managing editorial calendars.” It matches the job title and tells the hiring manager you have experience in this area. You can tailor that again when you respond to a different posting for an email marketing director. This time, reflect on your experience designing and managing email marketing in your last role.
4. Tailor your resume for each submission
“Tailoring your resume, particularly the summary section, is key for today’s job applications.” According to FlexJobs Career Coach Tracy Capozzoli, “Resumes have evolved over the years, moving away from a generalized document to a single tailored document for each individual job application.” What exactly does tailoring a resume mean?
It’s no longer sufficient to update the company’s name in your “desired role.” Instead, make a note of the job title and the required skill sets that are listed, especially if they’re repeated. Then, utilize the job title and skills required throughout different parts of your resume, focusing on the summary first. Capozzoli points out that while “you may find that you’re applying to fewer job postings, as a result, the quality of your applications will be stronger and more thought out.”
5. Keywords are crucial
This ties into the previous two points. The importance of using the right keywords in your resume can’t be overstated. When you read a job description, make careful note of the required skills. Then, utilize action words and data-driven examples to explain why you’re the best person for the role.
For example, rather than simply stating that you were a manager at a marketing company, give a specific and quantifiable statement, such as:
- 12 years of human-focused leadership of a diverse team of 15 marketing professionals with consistent 5% YOY growth.
6. Exclude experience that isn’t pertinent
Perhaps you’ve had a long career or multiple roles. Rather than include them all, only choose the jobs relating to the position you’re applying for.
For example, maybe you were a receptionist. That might not connect well in the eyes of a recruiter for a project management role, even if you gained organization and other transferable skills. Remember, the recruiter doesn’t have the time to connect your seemingly unrelated work history to this role. It would be best if you were an obvious natural fit.
Also, many application tracking systems limit how long a document can be. So, try and keep it under two pages. Eliminating unnecessary history ensures that the relevant experience will be displayed.
Can You Outsmart an ATS?
Sure, you can manipulate the keywords and information to receive a passing score. However, it’s never good to lie on your resume. For example, suppose you are applying for a job that expects you to be fluent in a specific type of coding. You’ll eventually have to show that you are proficient. Thinking that you can wing it and learn on the job will most likely find you back on the hunt for a job soon.
The struggle to navigate an ATS is a real one. Writing to optimize your resume is more complicated than ever before. Often, it’s because the ATS doesn’t understand nuances or similar verbiage. But the tips above will ultimately help you land the job you want.
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This article originally appeared in FlexJobs. FlexJobs is the leading career service specializing in flexible work, providing the largest database of vetted remote and flexible job listings. To support job seekers in all phases of their journey, FlexJobs offers a range of services including expert advice, job search events, and career coaching. FlexJobs also works with leading companies to recruit quality remote talent and optimize their remote and flexible workplace.
What’s your no. 1 piece of advice for creating an ATS-friendly resume? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!
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