Why Isn't My Resume Getting Any Traction?

Before human eyes see your resume, it often goes through applicant tracking software that ranks your resume in line with others received for the same post. There are many reasons why an HR manager may never see a resume, but they generally boil down to applicants not knowing how to deal with this type of hurdle. Don't make the same mistakes, as they will sink your resume without trace more often than not.

Typos don't work for computers, because the programs are made to read very specific words. For example, if you misspell the word "receivable," in "accounts receivable," the applicant tracker will miss that very relevant keyword in your resume.

Using the wrong keywords, or too many keywords, can also sink your resume to the bottom of the pile. Do not try to fit every possible keyword from the job description into your resume. Computer programs can pick out if you use a keyword too many times. Try being selective with your keywords instead of going overboard on your verbiage.

Do not send a resume as a PDF file. Many applicant trackers have trouble reading these formats, because there is no standard way to read PDF documents within ATS software. The software also doesn't care about fancy formatting, which is the main reason many people still use this file format.

An "Objectives" section is just a one-sentence area without much substance that wastes space on the page. Replace it with a bulleted list that includes a career summary and some achievements that feature primary keywords.

Although graphics look cool and make certain parts of your resume stand out, leave out any infographics or images. Applicant tracking systems cannot read graphics; these programs only pick up text, so that's what you need in your online application. Applicant trackers take mere seconds to delve into your vital document. Try having a longer document so you add more keywords naturally to the text. You can also always prepare a one-page resume with additional graphical elements to bring to the interview later once you've passed this computerized hurdle.

Photo Courtesy of Karen Lawsen at Flickr.com