ATS often stands between you and your dream job. Here’s how to craft a CV that passes ATS checks
So, you’ve polished your resume until it gleams, crafted a cover letter that practically sings, and are ready to unleash your job-seeking prowess upon the world. But hold up!
Before you hit “Apply,” you need to know about a silent, digital gatekeeper lurking behind the scenes: the ATS, or Applicant Tracking System.
Think of the ATS as a super-powered, slightly robotic librarian that sorts through mountains of resumes for companies big and small. Its job?
To find the best candidates by automatically scanning and filtering applications based on specific keywords and criteria. Basically, it’s the first line of defense between your amazing skills and that awesome job you’re after.
Why Should You Care About the ATS?
Because if your resume doesn’t play nice with the ATS, it might get tossed into the digital abyss before a human even lays eyes on it! Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a resume, only for it to be rejected by a soulless algorithm. Tragic, right?
How to Befriend the ATS: Your Resume’s Survival Guide
Don’t worry, taming the ATS isn’t rocket science. Here’s how to make sure your CV passes the digital sniff test:
- Keywords are King (and Queen!): Companies often list specific skills, experiences, and keywords in their job descriptions. The ATS is searching for these! Read the job description carefully and strategically incorporate relevant keywords into your resume. Don’t just cram them in; use them naturally within the context of your experience.
- Format Matters (Big Time!): The ATS doesn’t see fancy formatting the way we do. Avoid complex layouts, tables, graphics, and headers/footers. Stick to a clean, simple, and readable format. Think classic:
- Use a common font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Keep font sizes between 10-12 points.
- Use clear headings and subheadings (e.g., “Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”).
- Save your resume as a .doc or .docx file (older systems might struggle with other formats like PDFs, although modern systems are often getting better at PDF parsing).
- Skip the Fancy Stuff: Remember those colorful charts and graphs you used to show your skills? The ATS probably won’t “get” them. Also, forget about using text boxes, watermarks, or anything that might confuse the system.
- Be Specific (and Concrete!): Instead of vague statements like “Managed projects,” quantify your accomplishments. For example, “Managed projects, resulting in a 15% increase in efficiency.”
- Use Action Verbs: Start your bullet points with strong action verbs that highlight your achievements. For example: “Developed,” “Implemented,” “Managed,” “Led,” “Achieved.”
- Contact Information is Crucial: Make sure your contact information is clearly visible at the top of your resume. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL.
- Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!: Typos and grammatical errors are a big no-no, and they can make your resume look unprofessional and even trip up the ATS. Get a fresh pair of eyes to review your resume for any errors.
Test Your Resume (Optional, but Recommended!)
There are several online ATS resume checkers (such as EnhanCV) that can help you evaluate how your resume might perform.
You can upload your resume and get feedback on keywords, formatting, and other aspects. These tools aren’t perfect, but they can give you a good idea of whether your resume is ATS-friendly.
The Takeaway
Conquering the ATS isn’t about tricking the system; it’s about creating a clear, concise, and keyword-rich resume that highlights your skills and experience.
WjatBy following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting your resume past the digital gatekeeper and onto the desk of a real, live human who can appreciate your awesomeness! Good luck with your job search!
Disclaimer: YüthAxis is not in any way affiliated with the hiring organization. Please direct your applications and any enquiries to the hiring company. Read our Terms of Use for more.
