What is ATS & Why is it Important?

99% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS for hiring, while 66% of large companies and 35% of small organizations rely on them.

On average, only 15% of resumes make it past ATS and into the hands of hiring managers

In today’s digital age, an ATS-compliant resume is essential to get past the initial screening process and get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

But lets start with...

What is an ATS?

1. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software program used by organizations to manage the hiring process.
2. When you apply online, the ATS scans your resume and extracts information like skills, job titles, and educational background.
3. It then sorts and scans dozens, hundreds, or thousands of resumes in a fraction of the time, automating part of the recruitment process for businesses.

Why is an ATS important?

1. ATS helps recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify the most qualified candidates for a job opening. It also helps to eliminate unqualified candidates, saving time and resources.

How does an ATS work?

1. When scanning a resume, ATS looks for basic information like contact details, job titles, and education history.
2. It also looks for keywords that come directly from the job posting.
3. Resumes that demonstrate minimum qualifications for a role reach a certain threshold and are sent on to recruiters and hiring managers for the next step in the hiring process, while the resumes that fall below the threshold don’t get past this point.

How to write an ATS-friendly resume?

Here are some tips to create an ATS-friendly resume:

• Use an ATS resume template: ATS-friendly resume templates use minimalist designs that are compatible with applicant tracking system processes. These systems parse through text within your resume and extract valuable information into the software. If the system fails to identify some of your information, it may miss important keywords or qualifications. By using a template designed for ATS, you can eliminate such oversights. Keep in mind that not all resume templates are ATS-friendly, but some come pre-formatted with ATS in mind, using minimally formatted sections that allow ATS to identify and sort information correctly.
• Label resume sections clearly: ATS will also look for these sections to identify key requirements like years of experience, education, and skills. Use clear, concise labels for each section of your resume, such as “Professional Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”.
• Avoid headers, columns, tables, and graphics: ATS may not be able to read headers, columns, tables, and graphics. Instead, use simple formatting, adequate spacing, and standard fonts to make your resume easily readable by the software.
• Use keywords throughout the whole resume: Use keywords that match the job description to increase the chances of the ATS picking up your resume. However, avoid keyword stuffing, which means using too many keywords in your resume. Instead, use them naturally throughout your resume.
• Include relevant job titles and the company name: Use relevant job titles and the company name in your resume. This helps ATS to identify your work experience and match it with the job requirements.
• Use an industry-standard resume format: Use a standard resume format that is easy to read and understand. Avoid using fancy fonts, colors, and graphics that may not be compatible with ATS.

How do recruiters use ATS to find the right candidate?

1. An ATS is a software program used by organizations to manage the hiring process.
2. When you apply online, the ATS scans your resume and extracts information like skills, job titles, and educational background.
3. It then sorts and scans dozens, hundreds, or thousands of resumes in a fraction of the time, automating part of the recruitment process for businesses.

Understanding match rate and how to optimize it for an ATS resume

1. ATS algorithms assign the candidates a percentage score based on how well their data match the criteria set by the recruiters (desired skills, education, past work experience, etc.).
2. The more your resume matches the job requirements listed in the job posting, the higher your percentage score will be.
3. To increase your chances of passing an ATS scan, you must learn how ATS works so you can make your resume ATS-compliant.

Create an ATS-compliant resume

1. Review the job description: Read the job description carefully and identify the keywords and phrases that match your skills and experience.
2. Match your qualifications to the job requirements: Use the keywords and phrases you identified in the job description to tailor your resume to the job requirements.
3. Write a resume optimized for ATS: Use a simple font, layout, and labels. Avoid using headers, columns, tables, and graphics.
4. ATS resume formatting tips: Use an ATS resume template, label resume sections clearly, avoid headers, columns, tables, and graphics, select an ATS-friendly font, and use keywords throughout the whole resume.
5. Pick an easy-to-read ATS resume template: ATS-friendly resume templates use minimalist designs that are compatible with applicant tracking system processes.
6. Scan your resume for errors with our free ATS resume checker: Use a resume checker to catch any mistakes that you may have missed.

ATS-friendly resume key takeaways

1. Use relevant keywords that match the job description to increase the chances of the ATS picking up your resume.
2. Keep it simple: Use simple formatting, adequate spacing, and standard fonts to make your resume easily readable by the software.
3. Label resume sections clearly: ATS will also look for these sections to identify key requirements like years of experience, education, and skills.
4. Avoid headers, columns, tables, and graphics: ATS may not be able to read headers, columns, tables, and graphics. Use an ATS resume template:
5. ATS-friendly resume templates use minimalist designs that are compatible with applicant tracking system processes.
6. Scan your resume for errors with our free ATS resume checker: Our resume checker catches any mistakes that you may have missed.

Writing an ATS-friendly resume is essential to get past the initial screening process and get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. By following the above tips, you can create a resume that is both visually appealing and ATS-friendly. Good luck with your job search!