The internet has made it easier for job seekers to apply for jobs. All you need to sign up for job boards, upload your resume, and submit it. It may sound convenient; however, employers are now flooded with thousands of resumes for each job opening and therefore, turned to Application Tracking Systems (ATS) to collect, store, and evaluate candidates’ data.
As the majority of companies or hiring managers use ATS software nowadays, you must write a professional resume including the right keywords to get your dream job. To make ATS suitable resume, you need to consider various factors, including target industry, grammar-error-free writing, profile-based content, keyword optimization, and expertise for the role applied.
But let’s be honest, creating an ATS-optimised resume can be difficult, with many conflicting pieces of advice, you might don’t know where to start. That’s why this guide will give you easy-to-follow steps to help you create an ATS-compliant resume.
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Read through Job Listings for Keywords
It is important to create a customized resume with keywords that reflect your job requirements. You should be aware of the list of keywords for the types of positions you apply to. For instance, this may mean expertise in computer programs or a specific degree or certification.
ATS software cannot differentiate between similar skills, so you need to use keywords precisely as they appear in the job description. Make sure you tailor each resume to a particular position you’re applying for. This may take a little time and effort, but it can increase your chances of getting a call back for an interview.
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Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume
The hiring team doesn’t only enter job titles when they look for candidates, they also type in keywords related to skills and expertise. That being said, note skills that appear most often and add those to your resume, if suitable. Also, make sure to use the same language in your resume that the recruiter used for the job description.
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Choose ATS-Friendly Resume Format
Once you have gathered the right keywords, it is crucial to format your resume so ATS can properly read it. If your resume isn’t interpreted by ATS, this may lead to rejections, irrespective of your qualifications and skills.
Fortunately, most ATS resume formats use a chronological format. For example, in your work experience section, include the company name and location, job title, start and end dates, achievements, and responsibilities.
4. Make Your Resume Easy to Scan and Understand
To ensure ATS software can scan and interpret your resume easily, follow these tips:
- Use simple, concise language to make it easy for ATS as well as humans to understand your data.
- Use commonly used fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri to make it professional.
- Keep margins about 1 inch on all sides to avoid overcrowding.
- Write date formats in one of two ways — MM/YYYY or “December 2022”.
- Use bold, italics, underlining, and bullets.
- Use a word document or PDF file so ATS can easily scan it.
- Always proofread carefully because even a minor error can result in rejection.
Conclusion:
A resume is vital for any job search you do. Many employers or hiring managers are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) these days to scan a resume and demonstrate whether a candidate is appropriate for the role. If you don’t have ample time to write and format your resume to ensure it is ATS-friendly, you can use a professional resume maker.
Through testing and thorough research, many resume templates are developed in ATS format and all you have to do is customize them with your own information.
Sounds simple? Start building your resume to get noticed by recruiters.
