Tailor Your Resume For ATS

HOW TO TAILOR YOUR RESUME FOR ATS:

ACTIONABLE TIPS TO PASS ATS SCANS AND LAND INTERVIEWS

If you’ve ever applied for a job and felt like your resume disappeared into a black hole, there’s a good chance it didn’t pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS software is used by employers to screen, filter, and rank resumes before they even reach a human recruiter. The unfortunate reality is that resumes not optimized for ATS may never get seen, even if you’re a perfect fit for the job. But don’t worry! This guide will walk you through how to tailor your resume for ATS, providing you with actionable tips to ensure your resume gets noticed.

WHAT IS ATS, AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that helps companies manage their hiring process by scanning and filtering resumes. When you submit your resume, ATS reads it and ranks it based on specific criteria like keywords, job titles, and skills. It’s the first step in determining whether your resume will even make it to a recruiter’s desk.

ATS is responsible for sorting through hundreds (or even thousands) of resumes for each job posting. That means, if your resume isn’t optimized for ATS compatibility, it might get passed over, even if you’re a qualified candidate. According to studies, up to 75% of resumes are rejected before ever being seen by a human.

That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your resume is not only ATS-friendly but also tailored to meet the needs of the specific job you’re applying for.

KEY TIPS FOR OPTIMIZING YOUR RESUME FOR ATS

Now that you understand why ATS is so important, let’s get into the actionable tips to make your resume ATS-compatible.

USE A SIMPLE, CLEAN FORMAT

One of the easiest ways to ensure your resume passes the ATS scan is to keep the format simple. ATS often has difficulty reading resumes with images, graphics, or complex layouts. Stick to a clean, text-based format with standard section titles like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education.”

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Avoid using fancy fonts or any formatting that could confuse the ATS. Opt for basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 12-point size.

INCORPORATE KEYWORDS FROM THE JOB DESCRIPTION

The most critical aspect of ATS resume optimization is keyword usage. ATS systems scan resumes for keywords related to the job. If your resume lacks the proper keywords for ATS, it won’t get ranked highly, even if your qualifications are perfect for the role.

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Carefully read the job description and identify the keywords it uses, including skills, certifications, and required qualifications. Then, seamlessly integrate these keywords into your resume, especially in your skills and work experience sections. If the job listing asks for “project management” or “data analysis,” include those terms if they match your experience.

TAILOR YOUR RESUME FOR EACH JOB APPLICATION

It may seem like extra work, but tailoring your resume for each job you apply to is essential. ATS ranks resumes based on how well they match the job description. If your resume isn’t customized for the role, the ATS may not find the right keywords or qualifications to move it forward.

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Make small adjustments to your resume for each job application. Highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the position, using keywords and job titles directly from the job posting.

FOCUS ON BOTH HARD AND SOFT SKILLS

When optimizing your resume for ATS, you want to strike a balance between hard and soft skills. ATS systems are designed to look for both types of skills. Hard skills include technical abilities like programming, data analysis, or project management, while soft skills might include communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

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List specific hard skills (like “JavaScript,” “SEO,” or “CRM software”) and soft skills (like “teamwork,” “collaboration,” and “communication”) that are relevant to the job description. Be sure to include these in your skills section and throughout your work experience.

AVOID COMPLEX HEADERS AND FOOTERS

Some resumes include personal information like your name, address, and phone number in the header or footer. However, ATS can struggle to read these areas, potentially causing your contact details to be missed altogether.

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Keep your contact information in the main body of your resume, not in the header or footer. At the top of your resume, include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile in a simple, straightforward format.

COMMON ATS RESUME MISTAKES TO AVOID

While optimizing your resume for ATS, there are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

OVERSTUFFING YOUR RESUME WITH KEYWORDS:

While keywords are essential for ATS optimization, overloading your resume with them can make it sound unnatural and hurt your chances of getting noticed by both ATS and hiring managers. Instead of mindlessly adding as many keywords as possible, focus on integrating them naturally and relevantly throughout your resume.

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Use keywords for ATS that are directly related to the job posting, and don’t try to cram every keyword into your resume just to please the ATS.

USING NON-STANDARD JOB TITLES:

While you might have a unique job title at your current or previous job, ATS might not recognize it. For instance, if your job title was “Customer Happiness Specialist,” the ATS might not connect that to a more conventional title like “Customer Service Representative.”

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Use standard job titles and adjust them (as long as they accurately reflect your experience) to match the job listing. This will help the ATS recognize your relevant experience more easily.

CHOOSING THE WRONG FILE FORMAT:

When submitting your resume online, always choose the right file format. While many ATS can read PDFs, some struggle to parse the text, which could lead to your resume being skipped. The best file formats for ATS-friendly resumes are Word documents (.docx) and plain text files.

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Always save your resume as a .docx or plain text file to ensure compatibility with ATS systems.

CONCLUSION: TAILOR YOUR RESUME FOR ATS AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS

In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s essential to ensure that your resume is ATS-optimized. By following these actionable tips and making simple adjustments, you can significantly increase your chances of passing ATS scans and landing that interview.

Remember, keeping your format simple, focusing on keywords for ATS, and tailoring your resume for each job are key steps to making your resume more ATS-friendly. Avoid common mistakes like keyword stuffing or using unusual job titles, and make sure your resume is in the right format.

Take control of your job search by creating an ATS-compatible resume that highlights your skills and qualifications in the best possible way. By optimizing your resume for ATS, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.

Ready to optimize your resume for ATS? Start applying these tips today and take your job search to the next level!