If you’ve been actively job searching for a while, you may be wondering why the resume you’ve been sending out hasn’t been generating any response. How could this be? Your resume is well-designed and full of good content, yet you feel like your resume is getting sucked into a black hole each time you submit it.
It may very well be because the majority of employers are now using applicant tracking software to parse the information from your resume and map it into a database called an ATS (applicant tracking system). If your resume isn’t optimized for an ATS, then no matter how qualified you may actually be, you won’t even have the opportunity to connect with an actual recruiter or hiring manager.
There are two primary factors that affect your resume’s ability to successfully pass through an organization’s ATS—content and formatting. Here are six tips to help you get your resume through the machines and in front of a decision-maker.
1. Choose the right keywords.
Keyword optimization is absolutely critical. The job description in the posting is your ideal source for determining what to use for keywords. Look for the primary criteria and terminology in the job description, and mimic those words and phrases in your resume.
2. Don’t keyword dump.
ATS technology is getting smarter every day, and they have evolved to see through big blocks of keywords that are meant to manipulate ATS ratings. State-of-the-art resume parsing technology relies on contextualization, not on simple keyword matches. In other words, don’t create a laundry list of keywords at the end of the resume and expect that to do the trick.
3. Emphasize your skills.
Most companies program their ATS to search for specialized or technical skills. Make sure your resume includes any and all special skills you’ve developed, including computer programs, strengths, competencies, and other abilities.
4. Remove unnecessary graphics and images.
The ATS is built to read text only, and any extraneous formatting or graphical elements on the resume only get in the way. The easiest way to trim down the formatting is to use a text editor that converts a Word version of your resume into a text version. Be aware that your text resume won’t look nearly as pretty as the well-designed Word version, but it will be more effective.
5. Create multiple formats.
Have a text version that you use to submit online and a Word or PDF version that you can send directly to your contact or take with you to an interview. This will ensure that once your resume gets through the ATS, you’ll be able to send a “pretty” resume to help you stand out from the crowd.
6. Customize your resume each time you submit it.
Companies adjust the parameters of the ATS for each unique job posting, so you should do the same with your resume. Having a one-size-fits-all for your job search is a surefire way to decrease your chances of getting an interview.
The use of resume parsing technologies is certainly impacting the online job search, but knowing what an ATS is, how they work, and how to structure your resume will ensure that your resume glides through the system and lands on the desk of a hiring manager.