Optimizing Your Resume for ATS: Everything You Need to Know

The applicant tracking system is software that aids human resources departments in companies to make it through the recruitment process by decreasing the time-to-fill significantly. This is a database that collects information regarding potential candidates and stores them for use. In addition, companies can also choose to organize candidates based on skillset or experience, making it easier to filter applicants for the position. Ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies have already adapted the ATS to speed up the process of filtering resumes and job applicants.

Considering that 75 percent of the resumes aren’t read by humans, what candidates need today is a strategy to optimize their resumes to rank higher on the applicant tracking system. If you don’t want your resume to be chucked into the discard pile after a split-second decision, it’s about time you learn how to make your resume ATS friendly:

Apply for Roles You’re Qualified for

Applicant Tracking Systems get a bad rep for standing between you and the position you’re applying for, but it’s only fair for the software to discard any resumes that aren’t qualified for the position. We’re talking about a dentist applying for an entry-level position as an accountant — completely irrelevant. You must be qualified for the role you’re applying for, or at least have a similar traditional background.

Don’t try to trick the ATS, as it will immediately discover how you cheated to get ahead of your competitors.

Applying for Multiple Openings at the Same Company

The ATS enables recruiters to view the roles you’ve applied for at the company. Doing so may confuse the recruiter about where your interests lie or whether you’re self-aware of your abilities. Moreover, applying for a senior and entry-level position opening in the company only gives the idea that you haven’t decided what job is right for you.

However, if you believe your range of skills allows you to be a valuable candidate for multiple roles, you can apply for both using targeted resumes.

Including Industry Targeted Keywords

Think of the ATS as a skim reader, scanning for key pieces of information through the chunk to determine whether or not you’re a fit for the opening position. The ATS algorithm is programmed to identify specific keywords for narrowing the pool of applicants. These keywords are based on years of experience, skills, qualities, and qualifications, which you must incorporate into your resume depending on your pursued industry. There are also job search tools that can help you identify the keywords that are hot in the market for the job role.

Now that you’ve found a hard skill to place on your resume or cover letter, the human recruiters are going to want to see how well you make use of your skills. Refrain from creating a keyword section or stuffing your resume with keywords. Each bullet point must focus on your accomplishments and achievements, rather than regurgitating the job description.

Choose the Right File Type

Do you submit your resume as a .pdf or .docx? These are the real contenders for resume file type as PDFs keep the format intact, and .docx is accurately parsed by ATS. The first thing you want to do is follow the directions given in the posting. If the company has specified anything, we say it’s best to opt for the .docx format.

You want to ensure your resume is easy to scan for the ATS to make sense of the information you’re trying to convey to the recruiters. The ATS reads top to bottom and left to right, so you want to format your resume as is. You can make your best pick for resume formats from combinational, chronological, or functional as long as you avoid any surprises of where the information is going to be.

About the Author

The author of this article is a professional resume designer, writer, and editor at Resume Professional Writers.

Since 2000, this professional resume writing service has served over 1 million clients helping them secure interviews for job openings in Fortune 1000 Companies. This includes the widely acclaimed Google, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Dell, Amazon, Citi, Verizon, Boeing, UnitedHealth Group, Bank of America, and Lockheed Martin. Their 96 percent customer satisfaction rate has rightfully earned then over 65,000 referrals and returning clients.

This team of resume builders is located in Torrance, California, but can help you secure jobs three times faster anywhere in the world. They offer industry-fit resume writing services, CV writing services, LinkedIn profile writing services, federal/government resume writing services, job posting services, and job search tools to assist professionals on all career levels.