The Ultimate Guide for Building an ATS-Optimized Resume
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One of the most nerve-wracking feelings you can have is pressing send when you want to submit your job application.
However, that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case.
Applicant Tracking Systems, also known as, ATS are the computer applications used by companies to help filter through resumes and identify the most relevant candidates by parsing the text (examining the text piece by piece to understand it).
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how the ATS works and tools, such as an online resume builder that can help you write a resume for ATS with tailored AI suggestions and request a resume review to leave nothing to chance.
By following these ATS resume tips and tricks below, you’ll master the system and have an opportunity to land your dream job.
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What Is ATS & How Does it Work?
Before explaining how to make an ATS-optimized resume, it’s important to understand what it is and what it actually does.
ATS is a computerized system that can help match job applicants with job openings.
The ATS scans resumes and compares them to the job description. Recruiters can choose to set up their ATS to look for keywords and phrases in the resume that match those listed in the job description to aid this process.
Then, if your resume fits what the company is looking for, the recruiter may decide to review your resume themselves, or you might be directly chosen for an interview, depending on that recruiter’s process.
If you’ve ever applied for a job online or through an app, chances are your information was passed through and stored in an ATS.
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💡 Our expert says
An ATS is akin to a digital filing cabinet, meaning that your resume is stored in a database. Because ATS are unable to think on their own, adding the right keywords to your document aids the recruiter in locating your digital file in the database. Without the right keywords, it can be more challenging for an employer to locate your resume, leading you to miss out on potential opportunities.
– Dr. Kyle Elliott, Tech Career Coach
Why do companies and agencies use ATS?
If you’re wondering why ATS is used so often, there are a couple of good reasons.
- Efficiency
- Non-discrimination
In an ideal world, ATS is able to scan for keywords and find a suitable candidate much faster than a human job recruiter can. That saves companies and firms both time and money.
The next big reason is that Applicant Tracking System are designed to assist in not discriminating based on race, religion, etc. However, the system is not perfect, and research by Harvard Business Review with Accenture has shown that applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are susceptible to being ‘hidden’ by the system.
While the system may not be to everyone’s liking, the only thing it looks at is your qualifications, so the only thing you need to worry about is making sure your job application is crafted correctly.
The Best Resume Format for ATS
When making your resume ATS-friendly, you must consider the best layout for your document.
The best resume format for ATS is a reverse-chronological resume.
This means that the most recent experience comes first, followed by older experience.
There are four main reasons why this is important:
- It has the best chance of being parsed correctly by the ATS
- It makes it easier for hiring managers to find relevant information quickly
- It shows off all of your recent achievements first
- Relevant keywords are closer to the top of your resume
With our AI resume builder, you can get AI suggestions to format your resume and make sure your experience is clear and organized to get to the next phase in the hiring process.
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Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder.
How To Write an ATS-Friendly Resume
When creating your resume, there are a few important tools you can use and things to keep in mind.
If you follow the advice below, the ATS parsing process will not be a problem for your resume, and you’ll have a higher chance of getting selected for an interview.
- Use a resume builder: Understand exactly how to format your resume and how to include relevant and key information.
- Select the correct resume template: This will help you include your skills and experience without leaving any critical details out.
- Include a cover letter: Describe why you’re qualified for the job and demonstrate that you are really motivated to learn and do well.
By following this advice, you can draft a job-winning resume in no time. To expand on that information, follow the steps below to guarantee that your resume is ATS-compatible.
Use an ATS-compliant resume template
To make the best first impression, it’s important to use an ATS-optimized resume template. There are plenty of pre-formatted templates that are easy to use and save you time.
Take a look at the following image to help you understand exactly how your resume should be structured and styled with the help of a stand-out template.
Tips for Formatting Your ATS-Friendly Resume
- Section titles: Stick to routine headings like “Work Experience” and “Skills” so the ATS can easily recognize them.
- Choose a professional and legible font: Choose classic fonts like Calibri or Arial to minimize the risk of a letter or word being parsed or read incorrectly.
- Keep it simple: Skip graphics, tables, images, or text boxes that the ATS can be confused by.
- Date format: Use MM/YYYY or Month YYYY so the ATS understands it clearly.
- Special characters: Stay away from unusual symbols or non-standard formatting.
- Acronyms: Write out acronyms at least once so they are understood by the ATS and manager.
- Headers and footers: Put key info in the body, not the header or footer, so information isn’t missed.
Following these formatting tips will make it much more likely that all of your key details and accomplishments will be seen by both the ATS and the hiring manager.
Study the job requirements to include the best keywords
It is vital to study the job description carefully to understand how to select the best keywords. This will provide you with a wealth of information about the position you are applying for.
The job requirements will tell you what skills and experience the company is looking for, and adding information relevant to the requirements will help you stand out.
Study the skills required and look for keywords in the job description. Highlight your skills that match up with those requirements, and note if there are any additional qualifications or experience that would be beneficial to mention on your resume.
Make sure the resume is easy to follow
If your resume is difficult to follow, you may as well get ready for the rejection letter now.
As you craft your resume and ATS-optimize it, keep in mind that your goal is to make it easy for the system (or recruiter) to review your application.
You want both the ATS and the recruiter to be able to scan your resume, make sense of it, and find the information that shows you are suitable for the job.
Studying well-written and specific resume examples can help you understand what your document should look like.
Key Takeaways
Creating an ATS-ready resume is something we can all learn to do. You’ll give yourself a good chance of standing out to both the ATS and hiring managers if you follow the tips we mentioned, such as:
- Using an AI resume builder to add relevant skills and keywords quickly
- Studying the job description
- Using a resume template to create an ATS-compliant structure
- Use a reverse-chronological format
By taking advantage of these tips and our resume-building tools, you’ll give your application the best chance to impress the ATS and land a top job.
Free Resume Templates
Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder