Cracking the Code: Writing an ATS-Friendly Resume

While ATS (Applicant Tracking System) can be a useful tool for employers, it can also pose a challenge for job seekers who may not be aware of how the system works. To improve the chances of your resume being selected by an ATS, it's important to use relevant keywords and phrases that match the job posting and to avoid using overly complex formatting or graphics that may confuse the software.

What is ATS?

An ATS is essentially a software program that automates the process of collecting and organizing resumes. When a job seeker submits their resume through an online application system, the ATS scans the document for relevant keywords and phrases that match the requirements of the job posting. If the resume includes enough relevant information, it is then forwarded to the employer's HR team for review.

Who is using ATS?

Most large organizations and corporations around the world use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage their recruitment processes. Top employers such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Deloitte, Accenture, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Unilever, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and General Electric are among the many companies that use ATS to streamline their recruitment processes. However, this is not an exhaustive list, and many other companies across industries also use ATS. Job seekers need to be aware of ATS and optimize their resumes accordingly to improve their chances of being selected for an interview.

Why do they use ATS?

Employers use ATS to manage and streamline their recruitment processes. These systems automate the process of collecting, organizing, and filtering resumes, allowing employers to quickly and efficiently identify candidates who meet their job requirements. ATS can also help to reduce the time and cost associated with manual resume screening, making the recruitment process more efficient. Additionally, ATS can ensure that employers remain compliant with relevant regulations and standards by providing a standardized process for screening and selecting candidates.

Cons of ATS:

While ATS offer many benefits to employers, there are also several potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Lack of Personalization: ATS rely heavily on automated algorithms to scan resumes and identify qualified candidates, which can result in a lack of personalization and a reduced focus on soft skills and individual characteristics that may be important for the role.
2. Technical Issues: ATS may have technical issues that can prevent job seekers from submitting their applications, or that may cause resumes to be rejected incorrectly. This can be frustrating for both job seekers and employers and can result in qualified candidates being overlooked.
3. Bias: ATS can inadvertently introduce bias into the recruitment process if the algorithms used to scan resumes are not carefully designed and tested to ensure that they are fair and unbiased.
4. Keyword Stuffing: In an attempt to optimize their resumes for ATS, some job seekers may resort to keyword stuffing, or including irrelevant keywords in their resumes to try and beat the system. This can make resumes unreadable and can be detrimental to the overall recruitment process.
5. Human Interaction: ATS may eliminate some of the opportunities for human interaction in the recruitment process, potentially resulting in a less personalized and less effective hiring process.

Why a job seeker shouldn't take a chance?

ATS can have a significant impact on a job seeker's chances of getting noticed by potential employers. These systems use automated algorithms to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases that match the requirements of the job posting. If a job seeker's resume doesn't include these keywords, it may be automatically rejected by the ATS, even if the candidate is highly qualified for the position.

This is why it is important for job seekers to remain careful about ATS and to optimize their resumes accordingly. By tailoring their resumes to include relevant keywords and phrases, job seekers can increase their chances of getting noticed by the ATS and being selected for further consideration by the employer. However, it's also important to avoid using overly complex formatting or graphics that may confuse the ATS and cause it to reject the resume.

Ultimately, job seekers need to strike a balance between creating a visually appealing resume and ensuring that it is ATS-friendly. By understanding how ATS works and taking steps to optimize their resumes accordingly, job seekers can improve their chances of getting noticed by potential employers and landing their dream job.

So how can you make sure your CV stands out from the crowd and passes the ATS test?

Here are some tips and examples to help you create an ATS-friendly CV that showcases your skills and achievements.

Include keywords: An applicant tracking system works in a similar way to search engine optimisation (SEO): by employing keywords. When you submit your CV, the ATS scans it and stores it in a database. The recruiter then searches for candidates using specific keywords related to the job description.

To increase your chances of being found by the ATS, you need to include relevant keywords throughout your CV. These keywords should match the skills, qualifications and experience required for the role. For example, if you are applying for a marketing manager position, some possible keywords are digital marketing, SEO, social media, content creation, analytics etc.

You can find these keywords by analysing the job description carefully and using online tools such as JobscanAd1 or SkillSyncer2Ad that compare your CV with the job posting and suggest improvements.

Format your CV correctly: Another important factor for an ATS-friendly CV is the format. You want to make sure your CV is easy to read and scan by both humans and machines. Here are some formatting tips:

• Use a simple font such as Arial or Calibri
• Avoid using custom fonts, embedded images and unusual CV designs
• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs
• Use clear headings and subheadings
• Use consistent spacing and alignment
• Save your CV as a Word document or PDF file

Include specific qualifications: Many employers use ATS to filter candidates based on their education and certifications. Therefore, it is important to include these details in your CV in a clear and accurate way. You should list your qualifications in reverse chronological order (from most recent to oldest) with the following information:

• Name of institution
• Location of institution
• Dates of attendance
• Degree title
• Major/minor subjects
• Grade (if relevant)

You should also include any relevant professional certifications or licences that demonstrate your expertise in your field.

Avoid the fluff: One of the main goals of an ATS-friendly CV is to be concise and relevant. You don’t want to waste space with unnecessary information that does not add value to your application. Some examples of fluff that you should avoid are:

• Personal details such as age, marital status or hobbies
• Generic statements such as “hard-working”, “team player” or “excellent communication skills”
• Irrelevant work experience or achievements that do not match the job requirements
• References (you can provide them upon request)

Instead, you should focus on highlighting your accomplishments using numbers and metrics whenever possible.

Use clear job titles: Another way to make your CV more searchable by an ATS is to use clear and standardised job titles that reflect your industry norms. Sometimes employers use different terms for similar roles such as “account executive”, “sales representative” or “business development manager”. If you use a job title that is too vague or uncommon, you might miss out on opportunities that match your skills and experience.

To avoid this, you should use the job title that is most relevant and recognised in your industry. You can also include a brief description of your role and responsibilities to provide more context.

Clean up your social media presence: Finally, an ATS-friendly CV is not enough if your online presence contradicts or undermines your professional image. Many recruiters use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook to research candidates and verify their information. Therefore, you should make sure your social media profiles are consistent with your CV and showcase your personal brand. Here are some tips to do that:

• Use a professional photo and headline
• Update your work history and skills
• Share relevant content and engage with your network
• Remove or hide any inappropriate or controversial posts

I hope these tips help you create an ATS-friendly CV that gets you more interviews. Good luck with your job search!