ATS: 10 Tips and Tricks to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

In today’s competitive job market, your resume often faces ATS as its first hurdle even before human eyes lay upon it. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the gatekeepers that decide whether your application makes it to the hiring manager’s desk or gets lost in the flood of Job Applications.

ATS system is trained and designed in a manner that filters out all the applications that do not fit the role and ranks the applicant on the basis of resume solely. To ensure your resume stands out to these digital gatekeepers, it’s crucial to understand the art of making it ATS-friendly.

Heads up, there is no set formula on how to get a fully ATS-Friendly resume but some mindful additions and tips when considered while creating a resume will surely save you from rejection and get one step closer to your dream job.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 essential tips and tricks to help you navigate the ATS landscape and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

What You Will Learn about ATS & Resume Writing:

10 Tips To Create an ATS-Friendly Resume

1. Add Keywords Strategically:

Keywords in a resume are specific words or phrases that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and are used to highlight your qualifications, skills, and experiences.

To Identify the right keywords you can go through the job description of the job you are applying for and then incorporate synonyms and variations of keywords from the job description in your resume.

For instance, if the job posting mentions “project management,” you might also include “project manager” and “project leadership” to cover related terms.

ATS algorithms can identify these synonyms, boosting your match potential.

2. Quantify Your Achievements:

Quantification is the practice of using numbers, percentages, and measurable results to showcase your achievements and the impact of your work done in previous organizations.

Instead of writing “Increased Sales” Quantify it by “Increased sales by 30%” or “Generated $1 million in new revenue.”

This will make your achievements sound more tangible and impactful. In addition, ATS systems prioritize quantifiable achievements, making your resume more appealing.

3. Tailor Your Objective Statement:

The objective statement or summary section is like an elevator pitch and is often the first section in your resume. Use your objective statement to Showcase your intent to work for the organization and align it with the specific role you’re applying for by mentioning the work experience in the same field if any.

Here’s what you have to convey through your objective statement:

• Who You Are?
• What do you bring to the table?
• What are your career aspirations?

For eg: Dedicated and results-driven Project Manager with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Seeking to leverage my expertise in strategic planning and team leadership to drive efficiency and success in a dynamic project management role.”

4. Use Action Verbs:

Action verbs help convey your accomplishments and responsibilities in a dynamic and impactful way and are used to highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Action verbs not only make your resume more engaging but also improve ATS recognition.

E.g.

1. Executed diverse tasks with precision and innovation, contributing to a 15% revenue increase.
2. Managed a cross-functional team of 10 employees, leading them to achieve a 20% increase in productivity over six months.
3. Developed and executed a comprehensive marketing campaign, boosting brand visibility and driving a 25% increase in customer engagement.

Here’s a List of 30 Action Verbs that you can use In your resume:

5. Align Your Resume To The Job Description:

To show how much you value the job and to get noticed by recruiters and ATS systems, it’s important to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for.

A highly effective method is to carefully review the job description, identify the key language and prerequisites of the job, and seamlessly integrate them into your resume.

Use the exact phrases and terms from the description within your resume for optimal ATS recognition.

6. Include Relevant Certifications:

Adding relevant certifications and courses adds credibility and tangible proof of your skills and also helps you gain a competitive edge against other candidates.

Certifications are extremely helpful when you are a fresher with little or no experience as they give proof that you’ve met recognized industry standards and are committed to your professional development.

7. Clearly Name Your profile:

A well-defined profile name at the top of your resume provides an immediate snapshot of your professional identity.

It tells the recruiter who you are and what you bring to the table.

This can make it easier for them to quickly understand your background and qualifications. Use a clear and concise file name that includes your name and the job title or industry.

For eg “Experienced Marketing Manager | SEO Expert”

8. Incorporate a Clean Format:

Formatting is an essential and often ignored aspect of a resume.

ATS is not trained to understand complex formatting styles like special characters, symbols, or unusual fonts. Thus, It is recommended to stick to the simple and clean format which is visually appealing and ATS compatible.

Stick to standard fonts and characters for smoother parsing.

9. Include Industry Specific Language:

Using industry-specific language in your resume is always a good idea, especially if you want to demonstrate your familiarity with the field and the specific job you’re applying for.

Incorporate industry-specific jargon and acronyms correctly when they appear in the job description. ATS algorithms are designed to recognize such terminology.

10. Attach A Cover Letter Along With Your Resume:

A cover letter is an opportunity to tell your story and how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for the job. Enhance your application by customizing your cover letter for each job.

Include keywords from the job description and briefly reiterate your qualifications.

Here are 4 Neat Tricks On Resume Writing

These 4 simplified and concise resume-writing tricks will enhance your resume’s effectiveness while maintaining clarity and impact.

1. Include Profile and Portfolio Links:

Boost your online presence by adding LinkedIn or portfolio links in your resume’s header or footer.

These links offer recruiters and hiring managers an easy way to learn more about your accomplishments, qualifications, and career path.

This practice is especially important in industries where your online presence and work samples play a significant role in evaluating your suitability for a job, such as marketing, design, or tech-related fields.

2. Leverage AI-Powered Language Tools:

Leverage AI tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to improve your resume’s language. These advanced platforms act as your linguistic companions, enhancing the overall quality of your resume.

They identify and rectify grammatical errors, suggest vocabulary improvements, and optimize sentence structures.

Make your resume a compelling read for both software-based screeners and hiring professionals.

3. Highlight Your Work Using Metrics:

Ditch vague descriptions like “increased sales” and replace them with precise figures: “achieved a remarkable 30% sales increase in Q1 2022.”

These quantifiable accomplishments not only paint a vivid picture of your contributions but also underline your ability to deliver results.

4. Choose A Professional Email:

Use a professional email address for job applications. Avoid nicknames or casual phrases. A professional email ensures a serious and accessible point of contact for potential employers.

It’s a subtle yet impactful detail that reinforces your commitment to a professional relationship.

Some ATS Myths to Stay Away From

Myth 1: ATS can’t read PDFs

Reality: Modern ATS software can read text-based PDFs. If the job application doesn’t specify, PDFs are usually safe.

Myth 2: ATS ignores resumes without Keywords

Reality: Keywords help your resume rank higher, but ATS doesn’t reject resumes without certain keywords. It’s more of a ranking game.

Myth 3: ATS can’t handle 2-columned Resumes

Reality: Many ATS systems can handle 2-column resumes. But to play it safe, stick with a traditional, single-column format when applying online.

Myth 4: ATS can’t read special characters or symbols

Reality: Modern ATS systems can handle basic symbols like bullet points. However complex symbols, graphics, and tables may cause trouble. Keep the formatting simple and clear.

Myth 5: ATS only scans the first page of your Resume

Reality: ATS scans all the pages of your resume. But remember, humans will also read it if you pass the ATS screening. Keep it concise and relevant. Ideally, limit it to 1-2 pages, depending on your experience.

FAQ Section

1. What Is ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It is a software application used by employers to manage the recruitment and hiring process. ATS systems help organizations streamline the initial screening of resumes, track candidate progress, and identify the most qualified applicants.

2. How Does ATS Work?

ATS systems scan resumes and cover letters submitted by job applicants. They analyze the text for keywords, qualifications, and relevant information specified by the employer in the job posting. ATS software then ranks applicants based on their match with the job requirements, helping employers identify top candidates.

3. Is ATS the same as a Resume Parser?

While both ATS and resume parsers process resumes, they serve different purposes. ATS manages the entire recruitment process, from posting jobs to making offers. Resume parsers, on the other hand, focus on extracting and organizing data from resumes to populate applicant databases within ATS.

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