How can you get your resume noticed by ATS?

It is important not to clutter your resume with too many "Keywords"/ "Buzzwords". I often see resumes filled with way to many words which often make the decision makers miss the important factors because of the resume is filled with to many complicated words and statements.

I recruited for over 20 years, trained 5 offices and have used multiple systems, while ATS are not these magical wizards that they are made out to be there are a few simple things you should follow. Use a clean and simple resume format. Avoid using images, graphics, or elaborate designs, as ATS might struggle to interpret them. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Cambria, Calibri, or Times New Roman. (BTW... Calibri is my go to font).

In addition to using a simple, easy-to-read, minimalist format with traditional section titles, ensure all of your font is 'black' or at least, not 'white.' ATS has a difficult time "reading" white font. Avoid the use of headers/footers, tables, columns, and text boxes. These too may 'monkeywrench' the ATS engine. Remember that ATS can 'see' your file's "properties." If you are not the author of the resume, ATS will know :) Remove the document's personal information properties before submitting or emailing it.

Not something that should be overcomplicated. Make sure to use formats such as PDF or Word documents, or if you're using an online portfolio use actual characters instead of pictures with text in them. This same rule stands for the aforementioned documents as well. Structure your sentences and be precise. When it comes to font, all that is important is that it is readable.

To be get your resume viewed by recruiters it is very important to make the resume ATS friendly. Using keywords which matches the skillset and job description can get your profile ranked easily. At the same point in time we need to ensure the resume should not be filled only with keywords which could also make resume feel overqualified.

Tailor your resume to the job description by incorporating relevant keywords. These keywords are typically the skills, qualifications, and experiences mentioned in the job posting. Use variations of these keywords throughout your resume, including in your skills, job titles, and job descriptions. Also use Keyword Rich Titles. When listing your job titles, consider adding a relevant keyword or two. For example, if you're applying for a marketing role, use a title like "Digital Marketing Specialist" rather than just "Marketing Specialist."

I always emphasize that it is crucial to align your resume with ATS requirements as it relies heavily on keywords and phrases to match applicants to job descriptions. I encourage job seekers to carefully analyze the job posting, identify key terms, and incorporate them into their resume naturally. It's not just about keyword quantity but also quality and context. Overusing keywords can raise red flags. I recommend that applicants showcase their qualifications and achievements in a way that demonstrates their fit for the role, using relevant keywords strategically. Balancing this approach will increase their chances of passing through ATS screenings and landing job interviews.

Do not make the mistake of embedding tiny keywords in white font along the margins of your resume. ATS is omniscient. If you know anything about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) then you will master your use of keywords. Similar to a webpage, relevant keywords, in context, placed strategically will affect your resume's "rank" in the ATS, much like a website's rank in google. Employing the use of a "Skills" or "Core Competencies" section can help with keywords, as a first step. The next challenge is putting these words and/or phrases "in context." Pro tip - ATS 'prefers' compound words rather than individual/single word keywords.

Avoid sending the same generic resume for every job. Tailor your resume to each job application by highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills.

Utilizing a strategic 'summary' or 'career highlights' section can enable you to efficiently and effectively tailor your resume to a particular job. Deconstructing or reverse-engineering the target job description will yield the core deliverables, skills, and requirements needed for your resume. Providing evidence of these deliverables, as well as the impact they had on the company/team should be the focus of your resume. It is also crucial to note the order-of-priority of the job description deliverables so you know how best to order your own.

Customize your resume every time. Yes, I know it takes more time to do that. But hiring managers want to know what you can do for them, not everything you have ever done! It is important to add Skills or Expertise, but limit what you add here to those things relevant to the new job. Add an Accomplishments section to the top of the resume, but again, your greatest accomplishments don't count unless they are related to the new job. Adding skills or accomplishments that don't match the job may give the impression that you don't really understand this job, or that you don't really want this job, or you might be bored doing the job if these extras aren't included.

Spellcheck and Grammarly are not perfect! Especially when it comes to different cultures, world regions, and acronyms. be sure to read and reread many times, with ice tea breaks in between :)

Here is a simple technique to test your PDF or MS word resume - convert it into a .txt file (plain text). If it provides all your information in prose format without jumbling it up, you're good to go. Pay close attention to any instances where the text appears jumbled, disjointed, or disorganized. This could indicate that the ATS may have trouble interpreting your resume correctly. If you notice any issues with the .txt version, such as missing information or formatting problems, make the necessary adjustments in your original resume.

This is one that is actually pretty important. So when you go to upload your resume, look to see if it lists the formats it accepts. Pay attention! If it doesn't say Google Docs, don't attach a Google Doc!

Remember that while optimizing your resume for ATS is important, it's equally crucial to create a compelling and well-written document for human readers. Balancing both ATS compatibility and human appeal will maximize your chances of getting noticed and progressing to the next stages of the hiring process.

1. ATS scans resumes for specific keywords. Tailor your resume for each job application by including keywords from the job description. 2. Stick to a clean and simple format. Use standard fonts and avoid elaborate designs. ATS may struggle with complex layouts. 3. Save your resume as a PDF or a .doc file. These formats are more likely to be ATS-friendly. 4. Clearly label sections like "Skills," "Experience," "Education," etc. This helps the ATS categorize your information. 5. Spell out acronyms, at least the first time you use them, as ATS might not recognize them. 6. Avoid using tables or text boxes as they may not be correctly interpreted by ATS.

The ATS is a tracking system and not a system to auto-reject candidates. There is a lot of incorrect information out there about the ATS. Humans are still reading the resumes and are the ones deciding if you are being invited to an interview or not.

There's a lot of talk and myths out there about ATS and making your resume ATS-friendly. It seems everyone's on the ATS bandwagon. What I've noticed is that many resume writers have started to see 'beating the ATS' as the main goal. So, you end up seeing resumes just packed with keywords in one section. But just because you're trying to get past ATS doesn't mean your resume should be dull. How're you gonna stand out then? I'm not saying go crazy with graphics, but a little border or shading in WORD doesn't hurt. Instead, what job seekers really need to do is tailor their resumes to the job ads. Make sure you back up those keywords or hard skills with real experience, and throw in some metrics and data to spice things up.

Application "completeness" is one of the most important default "ranking" element of an ATS. Be sure to complete every field, resisting the impulse to allow the ATS to properly parse your resume information over to your application. For documents, make it super clear what is what. "Last name, first name - Digital Marketing Manager Resume." and or, ""Last name, first name - Digital Marketing Manager Cover Letter."