One of the most common questions that job seekers have is, “How do I get past an ATS?” If you’ve spent any time searching and applying for jobs in recent years, you’ve likely encountered applicant tracking systems (ATS), for better or for worse. You may have received almost immediate rejection or heard nothing at all and wondered if your resume got lost in the void.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
ATS are software programs that help companies sort through the applications they receive and pare them down to those individuals who may be the best fit. Recruiters enter specific criteria such as education, experience, skills, or certifications, and then the system parses the resumes for this information, rejecting candidates who are not a match.
There are many factors that cause your resume to be passed over, making it more important than ever to have a well-crafted and formatted document. While in years past, job seekers applied in person or dropped off a hard copy of their resume, in today’s world, most job searches are conducted online. And with the increase in remote work opportunities, that means that the candidate pool is no longer limited to local applicants. People from across the country (or world) may all be vying for the same job. ATS helps narrow down prospects to those who are most likely to be worth the company’s time to interview.
ATS Are Not One Size Fits All
It’s important to remember that applicant tracking systems vary from one company to the next. There are a variety of platforms used including Workday, ADP Workforce Now, UltiPro, Greenhouse, Oracle Taleo, and ICIMS.
Be cautious about resume or job sites that claim to run your resume through an ATS system in order to predict how well it will perform. This is often a tactic used to scare you into thinking you need to pay the site to rewrite your resume. While there are plenty of credible resume writing sites, there are also a wealth of resume mills that churn out sub-par documents that leave you no better off than when you started. They may outsource writing to overseas employees with a focus on quantity over quality. Make sure you do your research before paying for services.
Here are a few tips to help you get your resume past an ATS and improve your chances of landing an interview.
Tips for Writing an ATS-Friendly Resume
Stick to a simple format.
While technology is advancing, there are still formatting elements that can keep your resume from being read properly. Avoid features such as:
- Tables
- Graphs
- Images
- Text boxes
- Headers/Footers
Use tabs and indents to improve spacing and the overall layout of your resume. Don’t be afraid to incorporate bullet points (circles or squares only), italics, bolding, and horizontal lines, as these elements are generally accepted by ATS.
Optimize your keywords.
This is critical when it comes to getting past ATS. Recruiters are looking for candidates that possess a specific set of skills or experiences, and your resume needs these keywords to move forward in the process. But that doesn’t mean you want to stuff your resume with as many target words and phrases as possible.
Use keywords in context, and use them naturally multiple times throughout the content of your resume. Do not try to sneak in more instances by adding words in white text to fill in what looks like blank spaces. This may trigger a red flag when a recruiter sees that certain words were used in abundance.
Carefully read the job description and look for skills, experience, and knowledge that seem most vital to the role and also align with your abilities. You don’t want to include keywords for things that you are not actually proficient at doing. Be intentional about making exact matches and not getting too creative. If the job description says, “project management” or “data analysis,” your resume should, too.
Check your spelling.
Misspelled words cannot only make you appear careless in your work, they can affect your resume when it comes to ATS as well. The system doesn’t know when you wrote “manger” that you actually meant to write “manager,” or that “seen” should have been “seven.” Check and double check your resume, and don’t just rely on spellcheck, because something may be spelled correctly but not be the word you wanted.
Use an appropriate file type.
Many online applications will specify which file type to use when submitting your resume. The most common is .doc or .docx files, as they tend to be easily read and transferred. While .pdf retains formatting, it is not always compatible with ATS software or correctly parsed. Avoid image files such as .jpg or .png, as many platforms strip away images to begin with and are unable to separate the text from these files. Your safest bet is to save your resume as a .doc file unless another format is specifically required.
Other Job Search Considerations
ATS are used to scan the content of your resume, but they also keep track of applications. Be selective with which jobs you apply to, as a hiring manager can see if you have applied to one or two roles or nearly every position they have available. Spamming your resume is not recommended, and it makes you look as though you have no clear focus and are grasping at anything that might be even a slight fit.
Pick jobs that are a strong match.
You might not check every box, but you should be able to check most boxes. This also means that ATS will show you as a more qualified candidate because you meet a higher percentage of its search criteria. (Assuming your resume has the right keywords.)
You may be open to a variety of different roles, but creating a generic resume in order to cast a wide net and see what sticks can drag your job search out and lessen your chances of being picked for roles where you truly are a good fit. You are better off taking your time to tailor your resume for individual positions and showing you are a strong match.
Tailoring Your Resume to be ATS Compatible
At Grammar Chic, we ask resume clients to send examples of jobs that interest them so we can see exactly what these employers are looking for and how the positions align with your skills and experience. This enables us to identify specific keywords that fit with these roles in order to appeal to ATS.
Let us help you craft a resume to get past an ATS and increase your chances of landing an interview. Contact Grammar Chic at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation.
