ATS Systems, How To Optimize Your Resume
As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, employers are now turning to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them narrow down their list of potential candidates. An ATS is a software application that helps employers manage the recruitment process and select the best candidate for a position. To ensure your resume stands out from the crowd and gets noticed by an ATS, there are some key steps you should take to optimize your resume.
1. Use the Right Keywords: The first step to optimize your resume for an ATS is to make sure you’re using the right keywords. Research the job description and the company website to identify keywords related to the position. Include these words and phrases in your resume, as the ATS will scan for these and rank your resume accordingly.
2. Format Your Resume Properly: An ATS is designed to scan and evaluate resumes according to certain criteria. To make sure your resume is correctly read by the system, make sure to format it correctly. Avoid using tables, columns, and frames, as these can confuse the ATS. Stick to a standard, easy-to-read format and use simple fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
3. Break Up Your Content: Break up your content into sections using headings and bullet points to make it easier for the ATS to read and understand. This will also make your resume easier to scan for a human reader, as well.
4. Use a Standard File Type: When submitting your resume, make sure you’re using a standard file type such as PDF, DOC, or DOCX. Other file types such as JPG, PNG, and BMP can confuse the ATS and can be difficult to read.
By following these steps, you can optimize your resume to ensure it stands out from the competition and gets noticed by an ATS. This will give you a better chance of getting your resume to the top of the pile and landing your dream job.
1. Use the Right Keywords: The first step to optimize your resume for an ATS is to make sure you’re using the right keywords. Research the job description and the company website to identify keywords related to the position. Include these words and phrases in your resume, as the ATS will scan for these and rank your resume accordingly.
2. Format Your Resume Properly: An ATS is designed to scan and evaluate resumes according to certain criteria. To make sure your resume is correctly read by the system, make sure to format it correctly. Avoid using tables, columns, and frames, as these can confuse the ATS. Stick to a standard, easy-to-read format and use simple fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
3. Break Up Your Content: Break up your content into sections using headings and bullet points to make it easier for the ATS to read and understand. This will also make your resume easier to scan for a human reader, as well.
4. Use a Standard File Type: When submitting your resume, make sure you’re using a standard file type such as PDF, DOC, or DOCX. Other file types such as JPG, PNG, and BMP can confuse the ATS and can be difficult to read.
By following these steps, you can optimize your resume to ensure it stands out from the competition and gets noticed by an ATS. This will give you a better chance of getting your resume to the top of the pile and landing your dream job.
