ATS Evolve: New Ways to Ensure Your Resume Gets Shortlisted

Hello applicants!

The robots are judging you!

Don't panic. With the integration of AI into every sector, most companies have shifted to ATS-aided hiring formats to scan and analyze thousands of resumes quickly and efficiently.

First of all, what even is an ATS? A.T.S. stands for Applicant Tracking System. Many applications come in from third-party websites these days and companies have to keep track of all of them.

That's where the ATS comes in. It scans resumes and automatically extracts relevant information such as contact details, work experience, education, and skills. These factors are then sorted by criteria set by the company and presented to hiring managers to make it easier to identify the most suitable candidates.

Robots don't think like humans, and there are a few things about your resume you might have to rethink to get an edge over the rest. Understanding the system goes a long way when it comes to boosting your resume's visibility through ATS-aided hiring. Let me give you the download.

Think like a Robot. Most ATS algorithms use keyword matching to filter resumes for consideration. Review the job description and do a bit of research on what keywords are important to the company or position you are aiming for. Tinker with your profile and description to include these keywords. Usually, these will include specific skills or qualifications, and industry-specific terms, so stay abreast of all the trends in your sector.

Less is more. Your resume is an expression of your skills and experience, and it can be useful to add a bit of personal flair to it, but uniqueness can be difficult for an ATS to understand. Using very simple headings and standard sections can boost the effectiveness of an ATS when scanning your resume. Study templates and research the most common phrasing and titles used in your industry to maximize readability. Or rather, “scan ability”.

Let there be Light. Keep your resume light on words. Not only do many descriptive paragraphs increase the chances of errors on your end, but they can also confuse the ATS and cause it to miss crucial information or qualifications. Let simplicity be your guide, use bullet points and short, keyword-focused descriptions that can be easily identified and picked up by the ATS. This applies to the formatting as well. Keep your sections distinct and easily differentiated, avoiding complicated fonts or graphics that might cause errors within the ATS.

Skills are thrills. Since the ATS is designed to pick out and categorize resumes, it always focuses on your skills and qualifications above all. So should you when creating your resume. Remember to create a separate and distinct section highlighting your skills, with a focus on those skills that make you a good fit for the position you are aiming for. This will allow the ATS to quickly pick up on relevant keywords and keep your value proposition from being lost to a scanning error.

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of rethinking to make a big difference. As they say, knowledge is power and knowing is half the battle. With a clear understanding of how an ATS works and what exactly it is looking for you can tailor your resume to have the greatest possible impact.

But trying to figure out the preferences of a robot is hard work, you might say. But have no fear, Ace Resumes is here to help. Whether it's from a person or an algorithm, we can ensure your resume finds the spotlight it deserves.

Best Regards,

Apoorva Choudhary, founder?

Ace?Resumes