Posted by on August 28, 2024
Getting hired for that dream position is something we all strive towards, but it can be difficult to achieve. However, it always comes down to knowing the best way to optimize your resume so it fits the applicant tracking system algorithms. That’s because, a lot of the time, resumes will not be noticed by a recruiter right away. Instead, an ATS or applicant tracking system will filter resumes. Focusing on resume optimization for ATS can help you stand out. But how can you get started? Here’s what you want to focus on!
One of the best ATS resume tips is to add keywords wherever you can. But what kind of keywords should you go for? Ideally, you want to highlight keywords related to hard skills, for example AutoCAD, Photoshop, etc. However, you also want to include soft skills as well, such as collaboration, troubleshooting, motivated to learn, etc. Add some action verbs in there as well, like grow, collaborate, and others.
The reason you want to do this is because it can increase job application success. The tracking system will search for the job title keyword, and having it right in the resume heading is very effective. For example, if you say, “accomplished branch manager focused on collaboration and results”, that alone can highlight your expertise and make you stand out.
Another one of the resume writing tips we have is to format the ATS resume properly. A very important thing is to stick to the traditional section headers, such as Work Experience, Education, etc. Try to avoid changing things with a creative format. Sure, it will look great, but if it doesn’t pass the ATS, no one will see it.
You should always go for simpler fonts, such as Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman. These offer proper readability, and they are usually easier to pass through the ATS algorithms. On top of that, if a recruiter sees your resume, it’s clear you put in work to do it properly.
As you can see, simplicity is key when it comes to resume optimization. A good thing to do is to avoid jargon; instead, stick to simpler language. Plus, using keywords in your resume helps quite a bit as well. But you don’t want to overdo it because the ATS will look for specific words. Going for a very complicated language won’t help that much.
Add only the stuff that’s important and relevant to your position. In general, graphics will not be something that makes your resume stand out when going through an ATS. Sticking to the basic outline and adding only a chart or things that truly showcase your results and value is always a very good idea.
The reason you want to do this is because otherwise, you will end up making the resume feel crowded. Adding more space to the resume is the right way to go, but at the same time, you don’t want to have too much space on the sides, as it will make the resume feel inconsistent.
Certain industries will have multiple names for the same job position. In order to increase the job application success rate, a good idea is to use all the names or at least the most popular ones. You can add them in the resume heading but also other locations if that can help you. It will help increase the potential match and save time as well.
The ATS sees these as keywords, so it’s a very good idea to include them. Not only will it allow you to boost your resume optimization, but it also has relevance for the time when a human will see your resume.
What a lot of people don’t realize is the fact that not every ATS will support all the formats out there. Some of them can be more restrictive, and that’s why it’s a great idea to use a format that’s appropriate for an ATS. DOCX might be better than PDF in some cases. It also comes in handy if you choose to use a template that’s ATS-optimized. You can find some to download online, and they can prove to deliver a much better experience.
These tips and ideas can be very helpful when you’re writing an ATS-optimized resume. Keep in mind that the ATS is a software, so it will always look for key, specific words. Not only that but the format and fonts you use matter just as much. Experiment with the ideas and tips shown above, and remember to optimize the format as much as possible. Doing that will help you save time, and enhance your chances of passing the ATS detection while also increasing the overall chances of getting hired!