How to write an ATS friendly resume?
You’ve probably read in one of our resume tips blogs that you need to create ATS-compliant resumes, but what does that really mean?
We will go over this in greater detail to shed more light on it.
In this blog, we will go over the intricacies of how to write an ATS friendly resume and even provide an ATS friendly resume template to help you understand better.
But first, let’s go over the fundamentals of what ATS is and how it works.
What exactly is ATS and how does it work?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that allows businesses to quickly filter the best applications for a job position.
Companies enter their specifications into the system, and the software scans and rejects applications that do not meet the specifications.
What exactly is an ATS-friendly resume?
We know what you’re thinking… what is an ATS friendly resume, and how do we draft ours if we don’t know what the set keywords are?
The answer is straightforward. Let’s begin with what an ATS friendly resume is. An ATS compliant resume is one that has been specifically written to pass the software.
However, how do you make it ATS compliant? Simple. When you see a job posting, do not immediately apply. Instead, go to the job description and read it thoroughly; this is the key to passing the ATS software.
The job description emphasizes all of the important skills and requirements that the recruiter is looking for, and it is safe to assume that the same keywords are used in their ATS software.
How to Write an ATS-Compliant Resume
Here are some pointers to help you make your resume more ATS friendly:
Use an ATS-friendly resume format
Before you begin drafting your resume, keep in mind that its format is critical to passing the ATS scan. There are three types of resumes.
A functional resume is used to highlight skills and abilities. This allows you to emphasize your strengths rather than your work experience.
A combination resume is a hybrid of the functional and chronological resume formats. This format allows you to highlight both your skills and your work experience.
Chronological resumes allow you to list your work experience in reverse chronological order. This means you begin with the most recent job on your resume.
The Chronological format is the most ATS friendly of the three because it is better organized and easier to read.
Each section should be labeled and separated with care
Another thing to keep in mind when creating an ATS-friendly resume is to label each section with popular resume headings like “Work Experience” and “Education.”
Avoid using fancy headings because the ATS will not recognize them and your resume will be rejected immediately.
ATS-compliant resumes should include the following sections:
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Resume Summary
- Education
Highlight job-related keywords
As previously stated, your resume must contain the appropriate keywords in order to pass the ATS software scans.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, make sure to include keywords from the job description in your ATS-friendly resume.
When listing skills in your resume, do the same because it will help the software determine whether you are qualified for the position.
Use a suitable resume font
A resume is a professional document, and unless you are applying for a creative position, you should use basic fonts such as Times Roman, Arial, and so on.
Proofreading, proofreading, proofreading
The final step in creating an ATS-friendly resume is to proofread, proofread, and proofread again!
Making your resume error-free is the most important factor in ensuring that it passes the ATS scan.
Grammar, typing, formatting, or any other error can throw your chances of getting to the interview round out the window.
The reason for this is that the ATS scan will not recognize the errors and will reject the resume.
We hope you find these tips useful, and if you follow them correctly, you will have your own ATS-friendly resume!
With companies using ATS software to filter out the best candidates for a job role, it is critical that your resume be ATS compliant.
