How to Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
Publié le 27 September 2024
Boost your chances of speaking to a hiring manager by knowing how to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
“Thank you for your interest in the ABC position at XYZ. Unfortunately, we won’t be moving forward…”
Typical.
2024 hasn’t been kind to job seekers.
If you’re struggling to find a new job, relax, you’re not alone. Even experienced professionals with the right skills are facing the same problem.
But why is this happening? Why are applicants finding it hard to find a job that MATCHES their profile?
Three words: Applicant Tracking Systems.
What Are Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software that companies use to manage job applications. It acts like a filter, sorting through resumes to find the ones that best match the job description.
When you apply for a job, your resume first goes through an ATS before it ever reaches a human. The system scans your resume for specific keywords, skills, and experiences that match the job requirements.
For example, imagine you’re applying for a software developer position.
If the job listing specifies “JavaScript” and “agile methodology,” the ATS will search for these exact terms in your resume.
If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, the ATS might not recognize your qualifications, and your application could be rejected before a human recruiter sees it (even if you have the right skills and experience).
Why Should You Optimize Your Resume For Applicant Tracking Systems?
Knowing how to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems is key to getting your application seen by a real recruiter. Here’s why:
- You get noticed faster:
An ATS optimized resume helps you stand out in the job market.
If keywords in your resume match what the ATS is looking for, your resume is more likely to be flagged as a good fit.
- It shows that you’re a good match:
Optimizing your resume with the right keywords shows that you meet the job’s requirements.
For example, if the job emphasizes “leadership skills” and “team management,” mentioning these terms in your resume solidifies that you’re a strong candidate.
- Helps you pass the initial screening:
By matching your resume to include relevant keywords, you increase your chances of getting past the ATS’s first screen.
The ATS is designed to find the best matches. By optimizing your resume, you ensure that the company doesn’t reject you for the job you’re exactly fit for.
How To Find & Use The Right Keywords In Your Resume?
Here are some tips to help you include the right keywords and improve your chances of getting noticed:
Review The Job Description
You need to carefully read the job description to identify key terms and phrases.
Look for specific skills, qualifications, and responsibilities mentioned repeatedly. These are the keywords you should include in your resume.
For example, see the following job description for a Software Developer:
If you want to apply for this role, you’ll need to increase the number of keywords in your resume such as:
- Agile development
- C# and Python expertise
- Database management
- Development
Targeting your resume for specific jobs can increase your chances of getting an interview call instead of randomly applying to every job role you see.
Examine Similar Job Descriptions For The Same Role
You can examine multiple job descriptions for the same role to find recurring keywords.
This will help you understand commonly used terms in your field and ensure you include all relevant keywords.
Note down 5-7 keywords that you see repeated throughout different job descriptions for the same role.
For example, in software development positions, you’ll often see the term “agile” repeated across various job descriptions.
Soft skills are important, and should be included in your resume.
Terms like “team collaboration,” “problem-solving,” and “communication” are commonly highlighted in the software developer role.
When updating your resume, remember that soft skills are even more relevant for online business ideas that started in 2024 or before. Many of these newer businesses are remote, so they emphasize soft skills like communication and transparency greatly.
You can analyze the soft skills and technical skills from different job descriptions in desired roles and create an ATS-friendly resume quickly.
Integrate Keywords Naturally
Add keywords naturally into your resume. Avoid keyword stuffing, where you just list keywords without context.
Instead, use them in descriptions of your skills and experiences.
How To Format Your Resume Correctly?
“When a position gets over 100 applicants, I can only afford to spend a minute or two on each resume.”
Says Steve Wang, a resume writer.
To ensure your resume is read correctly by an ATS:
Use a Simple Layout
You need to stick to a clean, straightforward resume format.
You need to avoid using fancy fonts, colors, or graphics. Instead, use standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman and keep your text size between 10-12 points.
This ensures that the ATS can read your resume without issues.
For example, here’s a popular resume template for someone working in IT. See how it sticks to the basics and does nothing particularly fancy.
Also, don’t create a resume with more than two pages. 91% of recruiters say that two-page resumes are the perfect length to keep. Condense your resume content into a maximum of 2 pages.
This makes it easily skimmable by both an ATS and a human recruiter later on.
Avoid Headers, Footers, & Tables In Your Resume
Don’t use headers, footers, or complex tables for important information in your resume.
ATS is known to have trouble reading these sections. Instead, place all critical details in the main body of your resume.
Choosing the Right File Format For Your Resume
Many companies specify the type of file format to submit your resume in.
In such cases, always submit your resume in the file format requested in the job description. If the posting asks for a Word document, submit your resume as a .docx file. If it requests a PDF, save it as a .pdf.
This ensures you meet the employer’s requirements and avoids any issues with file compatibility.
Also, keep your file size manageable, ideally under 1 MB. Large files might be difficult for some ATS to process. If needed, compress your PDF to reduce the size without losing quality.
Lastly, ensure you follow the resume naming conventions that the company mentions. If not, try to name the PDF or the Word file in an easily readable manner.
For example, “John-Doe-Resume.pdf”.
Focusing on Relevant Experience
Depending on your career path, you might have worked in several industries in your journey.
But to stand out, only mention the experience that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. To do this, include the experience, skills, and responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
For example, imagine you’re applying for a software developer role
Your resume might include previous work as a content manager. While this experience shows your ability to communicate and organize, it doesn’t directly relate to the technical skills needed for the developer position.
Instead, focus on your previous roles in software development, highlighting skills like coding in C#, working with databases, and managing software projects.
Also, industry keywords keep changing. For example, “Software Developer” and “Software Engineer” often refer to similar roles, but job descriptions may use different titles and keywords. You need to keep up with them to understand what employers are looking for.
Social media listening is something that helps you identify which experiences and skills are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, ensuring your resume aligns with current market needs.
Using Standard Section Headings In Your Resume
Don’t reinvent the wheel.
To ensure your resume is easily read by an ATS, use common and popular section headings. Here’s how you can do it:
- Stick to Familiar Headings: Use standard headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” These are easily recognized by ATS and help your resume get properly categorized.
- Avoid Creative Titles: Headings like “My Journey” or “Skills Showcase.” While these might look interesting to a human reader, they can confuse the ATS and lead to your resume being misread or overlooked.
- Follow Best Practices: Review resume templates in your field and see commonly used headings in them. This can give you a sense of industry standards and help you align your resume with them.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
There are some common CV mistakes every applicant makes. Here are some of them that you should avoid:
Skip Unnecessary Images
Profile photos in a resume don’t serve any purpose (unless you’re applying for an acting gig!).
For example, look at the following server resume template. If we removed the applicant’s image, would it have any impact on the overall resume?
None.
In fact, the resume looks much better without the profile image occupying additional space.
As a general rule, don’t include images, logos, or charts in your resume. These elements can confuse the ATS and may not be read correctly.
Stick to text-only formats to ensure all your information is processed.
Avoid Unclear Abbreviations
Use full terms instead of abbreviations or acronyms that the ATS might not recognize.
While human recruiters will be well-informed about these acronyms, ATS systems might not be.
Let’s think from the point of view of a recruiter.
For example, let’s say you’re applying for a customer support position at a custom t-shirt business. Instead of “CRM,” write “Customer Relationship Management.”
This ensures the ATS can identify and match your skills.
Testing Your Resume With Online ATS Tools
Before you submit your resume, it’s a good idea to test it with an ATS-friendly tool.
Free sites like Jobscan or Resumeworded check your resume just like an ATS would. They look for issues like complicated formatting or missing keywords.
For example, here’s a quick ATS report from Jobscan.
If the tool points out problems, you can make quick changes to improve your chances.
TL;DR
When you’re considering how to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems, remember to use the right keywords, keep the format simple, and focus on relevant experience.
Make sure you use standard section headings and avoid common mistakes like adding images or complex tables.
Finally, run your resume through an ATS tool to catch any issues and then have a real person review it for good measure.
