Remember those sci-fi films where robots take over the world? Well, in the job market, it looks like it’s happened!
These days, your carefully crafted resume first needs to charm a rather picky robot called “Applicant Tracking System” (ATS) before it reaches human eyes.
This article gives you 7 steps to help you speak ‘robot’ while keeping your human essence intact.
Why Should You Care About ATS?
According to research by JobScan, over 99% of Fortune 500 companies now use ATS to screen resumes.
ResumeLab reports that approximately 75% of applications never make it past this digital gatekeeper, and LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Talent Trends report reveals some fascinating insights about how companies are using these systems:
- 81% of talent professionals say AI and automation will be important to their hiring process
- Companies using AI-powered recruitment tools report a 35% reduction in hiring time
- Tech, financial services, and healthcare sectors show the highest adoption rates of ATS systems
- And apparently, recruiters spend 40% more time engaging with candidates who have ATS-optimised profiles – which will be because when they conduct a specific key word search, those people who are a match turn up on the list
Think of ATS as that meticulous friend who organises their sock drawer by colour, texture, and occasion – it wants everything in its proper place, or it simply won’t play ball. And just like that friend, once you understand their system, you’ll know exactly how to work with it!
The impact? LinkedIn’s data shows that candidates who optimise their resumes for ATS are significantly more likely to be discovered by recruiters, with optimised profiles appearing in 27% more searches than non-optimised ones.
This means the time you spend making your resume ATS-friendly isn’t just about getting past a robot – it’s about dramatically increasing your chances of being found by the right people.
1. Master the Art of Keywords (Without Keyword Stuffing)
Just like a good cheese soufflé needs the right balance of ingredients, method and cooking temperature to work, your resume needs the right mix of keywords and formatting to work.
Here’s how you can get it right:
- Study the job description like it’s your favourite novel
- Mirror the language and terminology used
- Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., “Applicant Tracking System (ATS)”)
- Sprinkle keywords naturally throughout your experience and skills sections
- Quantify achievements where possible (tangible results are the most impressive!)
2. Format for Both Robot and Human Eyes
Think of your resume format as a well-organised dinner party. Everything needs its proper place:
- Stick to clean, traditional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Garamond)
- Use standard section headings (“Professional Experience,” “Education,” or “Academic Qualifications”, “Skills”)
- Avoid headers, footers, and graphics (save your artistic flair for your portfolio if you are creative)
- Keep font sizes between 10-12 points (even if they say they only want 2 pages you don’t want to cram everything in using 8- or 9-point font)
- Say no to tables, text boxes, and those tempting design elements
- Ensure there is enough white space so it looks visually appealing and easy to read
3. Craft Your Professional Story
Your job titles and experience need to tell a clear story:
- Use conventional job titles that match industry standards
- Present your experience in reverse chronological order
- Create a dedicated skills section near the top of your resume
- Include relevant education and certifications
- Replace objectives with a powerful skills summary
4. Tailor Your Resume for Each Role
A one-size-fits-all resume won’t impress every ATS:
- Customise your resume for each application
- Align your experience with the specific job requirements
- Adjust your skills section to match the role’s priorities
- Use industry-specific terminology appropriately
- Of course be truthful, you can’t add what you don’t have!
5. Perfect Your Technical Setup
Let’s get the technical bits sorted:
- Save your resume as a .doc or .docx file (PDFs can be tricky for some ATS)
- Use standard date formats (MM/YYYY or Month YYYY)
- Name your file professionally (AnnaRiley_Operations_Resume)
- Test your formatting by converting to .txt to see how it reads
6. Quality Control Is Everything
Before sending your resume into the digital wilderness:
- Proofread meticulously (yes, even that part you’ve read 15 times already)
- Check for consistent formatting
- Verify all dates and details
- Use tools like Grammarly for an extra check
- Get a friend or your career coach to proofread it too as you can get too close and pie-eyed yourself
7. The Human Touch
Remember, while you’re optimising your resumé to outsmart the resumé robots (ATS), ultimately a human should read your resumé.
Keep your personality and achievements shining through all this technical optimisation. Think of it as wearing a smart suit but making sure your unique style still shows.
Remember, you’re not just trying to beat a system, you’re trying to tell your professional story in a way that both robots and humans can appreciate.
Also, a resumé won’t get you the job, your resumé will get you a phone call. After that you’ll need to impress them over the phone and at the job interviews!
With these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to getting your resume past those digital bouncers and onto the desks of people who matter.
Need help crafting your ATS-friendly resume? I’d love to help you tell your professional story in a way that opens doors. Get in touch for personalised career coaching support.
Book a complimentary exploratory chat here: www.janejacksoncoach.com
