How to Create an ATS-Compatible Resume and Conduct an ATS Check. The job search process almost always involves being turned down. A job interview or a job offer is not given to everyone. However, are you aware of the other components that make up the job search?
Having your resume thrown out before the recruiter even has an opportunity to look at it is a terrible outcome.
Your CV must, in the majority of instances, first get through an applicant tracking system before it can be sent on to the recruiter (ATS).
And here’s the kicker: more than seventy percent of employment applications are rejected outright!
But there is no need to worry. We will always have your back!
It is not difficult to avoid being tracked by applicant monitoring systems. In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to carry out the following steps:
In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to cover:
- What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
- How to Create an ATS Resume?
- How to Run an ATS Check on Your Resume?
- 8+ ATS Resume Templates for 2022.
What exactly is meant by the abbreviation “ATS” (Applicant Tracking System)?
The software that is used by companies to manage the entire application process is referred to as an applicant tracking system (ATS).
All of the applications are compiled, analysed, and ranked by using this technique.
At originally, the ATS was designed for more established businesses.
And the stats bear this out: due to the high volume of applications that large businesses receive on a daily basis, 75 percent of these businesses utilise applicant tracking systems.
However, in today’s world, businesses of all sizes—including more than 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies—use applicant tracking systems.
Why are there so many companies using ATS?
About 90% of professionals believe that ATS has been beneficial to their organisation for two primary reasons:
- The use of an applicant tracking system (ATS) is very productive for businesses. The system helps to reduce the number of applications received, which saves the company both time and resources. The online system makes it possible to maintain order without the need to search through piles of paper.
- Additionally, the method is non-discriminatory, which indicates that it does not take into consideration aspects such as a person’s age, gender, or race. The fact of the matter is that machines can’t be prejudiced!
At the outset, the software generates a job advertisement for the company.
After that, it sends this posting out by email, as well as distributes it on company websites, job boards, and hiring platforms.
The application will be analysed by the system as soon as it is submitted for consideration.
The applicant tracking system will separate the resume into its various components, such as Work Experience, Education, Skills, Languages, Certifications, and so on.
After that, it looks for certain keywords and credentials to determine whether or not your profile matches up with the job description.
Let’s look at an example to highlight this point:
You are submitting your application to be a tax manager.
Your resume summary writes:
“Highly motivated tax manager with over five years of experience in the banking sector managing tax returns and other tax-related matters. “Proven experience of achievement, great communication skills, and satisfaction of employers,”
ATS reads:
- “Tax manager”
- “5+ years of experience”
- “Tax returns and affairs”
- “Employer satisfaction”
- “Strong communication skills”
Then, matches it to their list of requirements:
- CHECK: tax manager
- CHECK: 5+ years of experience
- CHECK: employer satisfaction
- CHECK: communication skills
- NOT CHECK: Analytical skills
- NOT CHECK: Microsoft Office
Your application will be immediately dismissed if, despite your best efforts, it does not conform to the fundamental criteria.
In the event that it happens, the resume will be rated according to its relevancy; in other words, the most impressive resume will be placed at the top of the recruiter’s pipeline.
How to Create an ATS Resume (Step-By-Step)
Now that you have an understanding of how the ATS operates, we will instruct you on how to circumvent it.
Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a resume that is compatible with applicant tracking systems:
Are you a recent entrant into the working world? Before you learn how to improve your resume for applicant tracking systems, you might want to check out our advice on how to construct a resume first.
First Step: Pick the right resume format.
A format that is reverse-chronological makes it simpler for an ATS to read the information. Because it is placed at the top of the page, this format places an emphasis on your professional experience.
After that, it ranks the experience you’ve had from most relevant to least relevant.
This format is also the one that is preferred by the majority of recruiters. The arrangement known as reverse chronological should be used in almost all instances (99.9 percent of the time).
Second Step: Choose the appropriate file type.
Because PDF files can be read by virtually all applicant tracking systems, using them should be your first option.
PDF files are also wonderful for keeping the design and format of your resume intact, which is something that is very important.
On the other hand, certain applicant tracking systems, particularly older models, are unable to read PDF files. Check out what the job ad has to say first, then submit your application.
If it mentions clearly that you should apply with a Word document, then that may signify that their applicant tracking system CANNOT read PDFs, and you should just submit a.doc file instead of a PDF application.
Third Steps: Use an ATS Resume Template
A significant number of applicants had their applications rejected because they used resume templates that the ATS was unable to understand.
In most cases, the system will make a mess of any fancy templates that you may have paid money for.
It is essential to go with an applicant tracking system (ATS) compatible template that has been tried and proven.
Our resume templates are ideal for generating a resume that is compatible with applicant tracking systems.
In order to assist you in developing an impressive CV, our templates have been produced in collaboration with recruiters and employers.
Fourth Step: Use a simple layout
Did you chosen to go with a Novorésumé template? You can skip over this step, as the correct formatting is already included in the templates. If not, continue reading!
Choose a common, straightforward font. Make headers with larger font sizes and write content using fonts with reduced widths.
Use bulleted lists exclusively if you want to draw attention to your accomplishments.
Keep in mind that you should select a bulleted point format.
Since any sophisticated character could not be compatible with an ATS, your best bet is to choose a solid circle or square as the character.
The following is an example of an accurate entry:
Correct Example
Languages
- Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish
- Limited working proficiency in French
Check out our guide for further advice and suggestions on how to format your resume.
Fifth Steps: Label your sections right.
Although it may seem obvious, we felt it was important to point this up.
Be sure to include your work experience under the heading “Work Experience,” your talents under the heading “Skills,” and so on.
It is only in this method that the ATS will be able to comprehend what it is reading.
Sixth Step: Tailor your resume with resume keywords.
Keywords are words or brief phrases that are directly associated with the requirements that are specific to a job.
This is the criteria that the system looks for in order to select the most qualified applicant.
Now that we have your attention, we will demonstrate how to successfully pass the screening by customising your resume with keywords:
Read through the job advertisement that you are responding to in order to locate the appropriate keywords.
You should keep an eye out for the following two categories of keywords: (1) talents that are relevant to the job, and (2) verbs that express activity.
Your job-related abilities are the most important qualities and talents you bring to the table while applying for jobs. data analysis, research, and problem-solving are only a few examples.
Action verbs demonstrate what you have achieved and how successful you have been in your current position. Examples include “made,” “maximised,” “solved,” and so on.
After you’ve gone through the job posting and found relevant keywords, jot them down and use them in your application materials.
It is important to keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t just throw the keywords around in a haphazard manner.
Your resume WILL be read by a human after it passes the ATS!
Pro Tip
Don’t use acronyms. Some ATS systems can’t recognize short forms. We recommend to both spell a word out and add the acronym.
e.g.: Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)
Now, let’s look at a realistic case.
This is a Social Media Expert job ad:
We are searching for a focused expert on social media to draw and connect with targeted members of online communities and networks.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute social media strategy through competitive analysis, network commitment, benchmarking, communication and audience recognition.
- Generate, edit, publish and distribute regular content (original text, images, video or HTML) which creates meaningful connections and encourages community members to take action.
- Develop constantly by collecting and analyzing appropriate social data/metrics, ideas, and best practices and then acting on it
- Work with other departments (customer relations, marketing, etc.) to maintain credibility, identify key players and coordinate activities.
Requirements:
- Good consulting, reporting, editing (photo/video/text), presentation and communication skills
- 3+ years of social networking expertise and social research software knowledge
- Adequate knowledge of web design, web development, CRO and SEO.
- Knowledge of online marketing and a good understanding of major social media platforms.
- Positive attitude, information and customer focus with good multitasking and organizational capacity
- Previous experience in Business Communications, Advertising, and Public Relations preferred but not required.
- Undergraduate studies in the fields of communications, marketing, business, new media or public relations.
We have underlined the most significant keywords found in this employment advertisement. Take note of the ways in which you can group words for the different sections of the resume.
In the area devoted to work experience, you might, for instance, look for phrases like “develop,” “analyse,” or “strategy.” In the part titled “Talents,” you should list the skills that are required for the job advertisement, such as “CRO,” “SEO,” “Data analysis,” and “multitasking.” While other terms, such as experience with computer software, education in communications and marketing, and so on, belong in the Education area.
Do you want to find out which keywords are an absolute requirement in your industry? Check out our comprehensive guide on using keywords in your resume.
One more piece of advice: try to stay away from graphs and graphics.
ATS Resume Example
Now, let’s put everything we’ve learned up to this point into practise by working through an example.
The following is an example of a winning resume for the ATS system:
How to Run an ATS Check on Your Resume
Have you finished writing your resume for the ATS?
Great!
Now that you have it, how do you check to see if you have it right?
There is a very simple technique to check whether or not an applicant tracking system (ATS) is compatible with your resume.
First, make a copy of the material on your resume, and then paste it into a text-only document.
After that, paste it into the jobscan:
After that, select “Scan!” and then paste the job description for which you are applying.
The software will tell you in EXACT DETAIL what information is lacking from your resume.
16+ ATS Resume Templates for 2022
Do you want to avoid the headache of structuring your resume for an applicant tracking system (ATS)? Just use a sample template below!
Visit the page containing our resume templates, select the one that best fits your needs, and get started right away!
Key Notes
As a result of reading this article, we now know that:
- The vast majority of businesses manage the application process with the use of applicant tracking systems (ATS). Your résumé will be gathered here, analysed, and given a ranking by this method.
- The use of ATS makes recruiters’ jobs simpler, but it makes employees’ jobs more difficult. Over seventy-five percent of people who are looking for work are rejected by the system.
- There is a specific format that you should follow in order to develop a resume that is compatible with applicant tracking systems. Font, design, and layout should all be kept on the straightforward side. Employ the use of bulleted lists.
- Keywords are crucial. Because the ATS looks through the document for keywords, you need to be sure that your resume contains those keywords. You can accomplish this by looking for pertinent keywords in the job posting. Put these words into different categories.
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