Resume for Computers (ATS)

Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

ATS is black/white, true/false, etc. Humans are are not.

What is an ATS?

Remember: While optimizing for ATS is important, your resume should still be engaging and readable for human reviewers who will ultimately make hiring decisions.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that manages the recruitment process by scanning, sorting, and ranking job applications. Companies use ATS to efficiently handle large volumes of applications and streamline their hiring process.

How ATS Works

  1. Resume Scanning: The system parses resumes to extract:

    • Contact information

    • Work experience

    • Education

    • Skills

    • Keywords

  2. Keyword Matching: ATS compares resumes against job descriptions looking for:

    • Required skills and qualifications

    • Industry-specific terminology

    • Years of experience

    • Education requirements

Optimizing Your Resume for ATS

Keywords

Use their words from their application

Exercise

  1. Go through job description highlight hard skills

  2. Then find soft kills

  3. Then define action verbs

Other Criteria

  • Match to their job title as closely as possible

  • Match certificates and licenses

  • Match Educational requirements

Format Guidelines

  • Use standard resume sections (Summary, Experience, Education, Skills)

  • Stick to common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)

  • Submit in .docx or .pdf format

  • Avoid graphics, logos, photos, visual embellishments, etc

  • Avoid headers, footers, and text boxes

  • Don't use tables or columns

  • Complicated section titles e.g. "Experience" vs "What I've Done So Far"

  • Include page numbers if multiple pages

Best Practices

Keywords

  • Mirror language from the job posting

  • Include both spelled-out and acronym versions of terms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")

  • Use industry-standard job titles

Skills Section

  • List both technical and soft skills

  • Include certifications and licenses

  • Specify proficiency levels

Work Experience

  • Use reverse chronological order

  • Include metrics and achievements

  • Start bullets with strong action verbs

Define Structure

  • Reverse Chronological : latest to oldest

  • Functional Resume : First is skills, abilities, accomplishments, then experience

  • Hybrid : Highlight skills and achievements, then chronological work experience

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using creative designs or graphics

  • Submitting image-based PDFs

  • Including information in headers/footers

  • Using non-standard section headings

  • Relying on text boxes or WordArt

  • Submitting non-standard file types

Tips for Success

Customize for Each Application

  • Tailor keywords to each job posting

  • Adjust your summary for the specific role

  • Highlight relevant experience

Maintain Readability

  • Use clear, concise language

  • Include white space

  • Keep formatting consistent

  • Use standard bullet points

Follow Company Guidelines

  • Submit requested file formats

  • Complete all application fields

  • Follow length requirements

  • Include requested information

Practice Job

LogoSouthern Shirtapply.workable.com

Testing Your Resume

How do you know if your resume is readable by multiple ATS systems?

LogoOptimize Your Resume and Boost Interview Chances - JobscanJobscan
LogoFree Resume Builder: Make & Download Easilyresumeio
https://docs.wisedoc.net/signin-with-institutiondocs.wisedoc.net

  1. Compare your resume against job descriptions

  2. Use plain text preview to check formatting

  3. Review parsed data in job application systems

  4. Consider professional ATS resume review services

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