What is an ATS?
Applying digitally is easier than ever, which means companies may have hundreds of potential candidates applying to the same job posting. To manage the volume of applications and determine who to continue the hiring process with, recruiters and HR may use an ATS to narrow the field.
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is a software program that will compare your application information with the job title, description, and skillsets the company is looking for. It will rank your resume and filter for the most suitable candidates for the role. An ATS is commonly used by larger companies, but as most applications are now digital, there is a large chance your application may be screened using these programs for any job posting.
What does this mean for your job application?
After you have applied with a company, you may have your resume screened, organized, and evaluated by an ATS to help employers determine your application status. Tailoring your resume to hit “higher” in ATS rankings is an important step to ensuring the success of your application.
How can you optimize your resume for ATS?
• Use Concise Language: The ATS will not recognize spelling errors and may not recognize grammar errors when scanning your resume. It may also not recognize common abbreviations, or numerically written dates.
Proofreading your resume for errors is essential to ensure the ATS scans your resume accurately. If you need help proofreading your resume, resources like Grammarly can help you find and fix spelling and grammar errors. List out abbreviations and dates in full. For example, write out “Bachelor of Science” instead of using the “BS” abbreviation, or write “November 5, 2024” instead of writing “11/05/2024”.
• Avoid Templates: ATS systems are designed to scan text-based resumes. This means ATS systems have a hard time recognizing graphics, colors, uncommon fonts, headers, footers, special characters, or dates written numerically. PDF (.pdf) formats may also be harder for the ATS to scan.
Submit your application using Microsoft Word file format (.doc or .docx) and keep your resume simple to avoid the ATS skipping sections. Write out any dates in your resume so they are scanned properly. Avoid using multiple formats, fonts, or sizes in your resume.
It’s important to note that although stripping down your resume may get you ranked higher with an ATS, you are aiming for your resume to be seen by a real person. To make sure your resume is still attractive, you can still include simple formatting such as bolded sections and bullet points. If you have the option, you should also upload your full resume alongside copying and pasting sections into text boxes.
• Customize your Resume: ATS will scan, and sort applications based on keywords or descriptions that fit the job being advertised. By including these keywords in your resume, you may be ranked higher by the ATS.
Use the posted job title in your resume exactly as it was written in the job posting. Use language from the job description in your resume’s information and be specific. For example, if a job posting is looking for candidates with experience coding in Python, make sure to use the words “Python” in your application, instead of generally saying “coding programs.”
Again, it’s important to note that your goal is to get an interview or talk to a hiring representative. Any skills you add to “trick” the ATS into ranking you higher will eventually be questioned, so you should avoid fluffing up your resume with skills you can’t support in the next phase of the hiring process. If you are working towards qualifications for the position, you should add them to your resume using words such as “pursuing” or “studying.”
Know there are some things you can’t control
Optimizing your resume for the ATS is important, but as an applicant, there will be information you simply don’t know the company is looking for. All ATS systems are different, and companies may be looking for keywords or qualifications that aren’t listed in the job description.
Try your best to tailor your resume to the job posting for the ATS, but don’t be discouraged at rejection! The digital world goes both ways: companies may get more applicants per posting, but you also have many more opportunities to apply for than ever before.
Ultimately, use ATS optimization to your advantage when you can, and apply to multiple positions that interest you and fit your skillset.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!