Applying for a job and actually being hired takes more than compiling a little information about your achievements. It is more than listing your qualifications and sending them in with your fingers crossed. Your resume is one of your keys to securing an interview with the company, so it must meet specific standards. Open the door to new career opportunities with our Seattle resume service and apply your professional resume with confidence. Open the door to new career opportunities with resume service and apply your professional resume with confidence.
Applicant screening has gone through many changes over the years, including the use of the Applicant Tracking System. An Applicant Tracking System or ATS is a recruitment tool that collects and organizes candidate information. Relying on artificial intelligence, it screens all resumes first. This means your resume will not reach a recruiter if the ATS finds it in standard format or not optimized.
Importance of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System is software that helps recruiters collect and sort applications. It’s designed to streamline the process by shortlisting the best matches for the open position and removing unqualified candidates.
Aside from saving time and resources, an ATS enables recruiters to find the best candidate through its carefully programmed algorithm. For these reasons, most companies rely on ATS these days to help run a smoother and faster recruitment process.
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
An ATS-friendly resume is highly optimized, has a clear format, and contains correct labels. It should be compliant with the system, which means the ATS should be able to scan your resume with ease.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Creating an ATS-friendly resume to pass the sorting process is relatively simple. To ensure that your resume reaches a live human recruiter, just remember that it will go through a system scanning process- meaning, it must be readable by a computer.
Construct an effective resume for your dream job with the following steps below:
- Choose the right format – There are several resume formats, but the most common are chronological, functional, and combination. Although these three are proper and acceptable, most ATS software is compatible with the chronological format.
Write your work experiences, training, or certifications with the most recent on top. You can also make use of an ATS-friendly and modern resume template if you are unsure of what format to use.
- Correctly label your sections –Stick to professional terms like “skills” or “work experience.” Avoid using jargon and “cool” labels in an effort to stand out. This will confuse the system, and it will most likely toss your resume out.
- Tailor your resume with job-related keywords –Keep in mind that a computer will be reading your resume first. Make it computer algorithm-friendly by ensuring it contains keywords related to the job. Check the specific job listing and add keywords used by the company. This includes titles, skill requirements, and competencies. By inserting these into the resume, you signal that you are a match to the applicant tracking system.
- Select appropriate file format – Ensure that the system can read your document. Double-check your file type before sending your resume. Check if you are required to send a PDF file or a Word document. If it does not specify file compatibility, play it safe and send the latter as not all ATS can read PDF documents.
Creating an effective resume or Download Free Google Docs Resume Templates is a crucial step in the job application process. This is your key to advancing to the next phase of the hiring process: the interview. So, take the time and invest effort in constructing a compelling and ATS-friendly one.