Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline their hiring process. To ensure your resume makes it past these digital gatekeepers and into the hands of human recruiters, it's crucial to craft an ATS-friendly resume. Here's what you need to know:
What to Include:
- Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume. This helps the ATS recognize your qualifications and match them to the job requirements.
- Standard Headings: Use clear, conventional section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" to help the ATS categorize your information correctly.
- Proper Formatting: Stick to simple, clean formats with standard fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) in 10-12 point size.
- Reverse Chronological Order: List your work experience and education in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
- Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address and location for non-remote jobs.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Use numbers and percentages to highlight your accomplishments, making them easier for both ATS and human readers to grasp.
- Job Titles and Company Names: Clearly state your job titles and the names of the companies you've worked for.
- Relevant Skills: List both hard and soft skills that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
- Education Details: Include your degree, major, and institution name
- Certifications and Training: If relevant to the position, include any professional certifications or additional training you've completed.
What to Exclude:
- Complex Formatting: Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, and graphics, as these can confuse ATS software.
- Headers and Footers: Don't put important information in headers or footers, as some ATS may not read these areas.
- Unconventional Fonts: Steer clear of fancy or non-standard fonts that may not be recognized by ATS.
- Images and Logos: Leave out photos, icons, or company logos, as these can interfere with ATS parsing.
- Abbreviations: Use full words instead of abbreviations, especially for job titles and technical terms.
- Irrelevant Information: Omit personal details like age, or marital status, -IN MANY JURISDICTIONS THIS IS ILLEGAL and certainly is in the US
- Outdated or Irrelevant Experience: Focus on recent and relevant work history, typically within the last 15 years: REMEMBER this is a tough one and not a hard no. If you have substantive and relevant experience include it
Platforms to Help:
Several online tools and platforms can assist you in creating an ATS-friendly resume This is a list and not strong recommendations:
- JobScan: This platform compares your resume to the job description and provides suggestions for improvement.
- Resume.io: Offers ATS-friendly templates and a resume checker to ensure your document is optimized.
- Novoresume: Provides ATS-compliant templates and a content optimizer to help you tailor your resume.
- VMock: Uses AI to analyze your resume and provide personalized feedback for improvement.
- Resumeworded: Offers instant feedback on your resume and LinkedIn profile, helping you optimize for ATS.
- Skillroads: Provides AI-powered resume creation and optimization tools.
Remember, while it's important to optimize your resume for ATS, don't sacrifice readability for humans. Strike a balance between ATS optimization and creating a document that's engaging for human recruiters. Tailor your resume for each job application, focusing on the most relevant skills and experiences.
By following these guidelines and utilizing helpful platforms, you can create a resume that not only passes through ATS but also impresses human recruiters, increasing your chances of landing that coveted interview.