Tips for creating an ATS-friendly resumé
You’ve been applying for jobs, and you’ve got all the right skills and experience, but you don’t seem to be getting any interviews. It might be that your resumé isn’t being filtered correctly by ATS software.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are a type of software that makes the hiring process more streamlined. They automate the first stage of vetting applications, to find the most relevant and suitable people for a job. For job seekers, getting through this stage means paying extra attention to your resumé, to make sure it gets through to the hiring manager.
In this article, we take you through how an ATS works and how to make sure you create an ATS-compliant CV that will not only pass automated scans, but also grab the attention of potential employers.
What is an ATS and how does it work?
As outlined above, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a type of software used to streamline the hiring process. To sort through job applications, many recruiters and hiring companies use an ATS as a ‘digital gatekeeper’, to make sure only the most relevant resumés make it through to the next stage.
ATS software screens resumés for information such as work experience, education, skills and other relevant qualifications. It then ranks the resumés based on how well they match the job description's criteria. This process typically involves:
Keyword matching: an ATS scans for specific keywords and phrases, including job titles, skills and other relevant terms.
Formatting: resumés that are poorly formatted, saved as PDF files, or contain complex designs may not be filtered correctly. ATS prefers straightforward, text-based resumés.
Relevance: the software evaluates the relevance of job seekers’ experience and skills to the job requirements, assigning scores accordingly.
Why optimise your resumé for ATS?
By optimising your resumé for ATS software, you can help ensure that your application isn’t incorrectly filtered out. Applicant Tracking System optimisation for your resumé involves:
Adding keywords: by including relevant keywords from the job description, your resumé is more likely to be flagged as a match by the ATS.
Readability: a clear, structured format helps the ATS accurately read your resumé, so no information is missed.
Job requirements: tailoring your resumé to highlight the most important skills and experiences increases its relevance score.
By making these adjustments, your resumé stands a better chance of passing through the ATS filters and landing in the shortlist of a hiring manager.
Key elements of a resumé for ATS
Getting through the ATS software requires closely tailoring your resumé to the particular job you’re applying for. It’s important to focus on the keywords mentioned in the job application to ensure the software can accurately read and rank your information. Here’s how to create an ATS format resumé.
Relevant keywords and phrases
Incorporating relevant keywords and phrases from the job description into your resumé is essential. ATS software scans for specific terms that match the qualifications and skills required for the position. To do this effectively:
Identify terms and phrases that frequently appear in the job posting.
Use different variations of keywords (e.g., ‘project management’ and ‘managing projects’).
Ensure the keywords are naturally integrated. It’s not recommended to try to trick ATS software by adding invisible 'white font' keywords or using other ATS hacks.
Clear and simple format
A clear and simple format makes it easier for the ATS to read your resumé. Complex designs can confuse the software, leading to misinterpretation or omission of information. To optimise your format:
Use standard fonts: stick to easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
Avoid graphics and tables: use plain text and bullet points instead.
Consistent formatting: ensure uniformity in font sizes, bullet points, and spacing throughout your resumé.
Importance of using standard section headings
Using headings is a great way to help the ATS software read your resumé. It can help make the different sections clear. Common headings include:
Contact information: name, phone number, email address and relevant online profiles.
Summary: a brief overview of your professional background and career goals.
Work experience: list your previous job titles, employers, dates of employment, and responsibilities.
Education: include your degrees, institutions and graduation dates.
Skills: highlight relevant skills that match the job description.
Certifications and training: any additional qualifications or courses that are relevant to the job.
ATS resumé formatting tips
To ensure your resumé is read correctly by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), it’s important to stick to strict formatting guidelines. Following these resumé guidelines improves your chances of being shortlisted.
Simple fonts
Fonts like Arial, Times New Roman and Calibri are recommended because they are easy for the software to process.
Standard file formats
The file format of your resumé can also affect its compatibility with ATS. The most commonly accepted formats are .docx and .pdf. However, your PDF mustn't be image-based, as mentioned above. A .docx file is often the safest choice as it is widely accepted and easily processed by most ATS systems. Some job applications will also specify what format to submit in.
Avoid columns, text boxes, graphics or tables
While columns and text boxes can make a resumé visually appealing and help you fit more onto a page, these elements can cause the system to read the text out of order or miss information entirely. Instead, use a clean, text-based format with bullet points to highlight important details.
ATS resumé template
To help you create an effective resumé that can easily pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), download an ATS-optimised resumé template and input your details using keywords from the job ad.
An ATS-optimised resumé template is designed with the following features:
Sections where you can easily insert keywords and phrases from the job description to enhance keyword matching.
Standard fonts like Arial and Calibri, no graphics and tables, and a consistent format throughout.
Standard section headings, such as contact information, summary, work experience, education, skills, and certifications, to make it easy for the ATS to categorise and assess your information.
Single-column layout without any text boxes or columns, ensuring that all your information is read in the correct order.
The template is provided in .docx format, which is widely accepted by most ATS systems.
Download the template
You can download simple resumé templates at the link below:
To improve the effectiveness of your resumé, it is important to customise it for each job application. Here are some instructions on how to do this:
Analyse the job description: carefully read the job description and identify terms and phrases frequently mentioned.
Insert relevant keywords: update the template with these keywords, ensuring they are naturally integrated into the relevant sections of your resumé.
Tailor your summary: customise the summary section to highlight your most relevant experiences and skills that align with the job requirements.
Highlight specific achievements: in the work experience section, focus on achievements and responsibilities that directly relate to the position you are applying for.
Update skills and certifications: make sure the skills and certifications sections reflect the qualifications and training that are most relevant to the job.
ATS software plays a big role in the hiring process by automating the screening and ranking of resumés. To ensure your resumé makes it past these digital gatekeepers, it is important to focus on relevant keywords, use a clear and simple format, and stick to standard section headings. By using our ATS-optimised resumé template provided and tailoring it for each job application, you improve your chances of securing an interview.
Remember: a well-optimised resumé can help get your application through to the hiring manager and move you one step closer to your career goals.
FAQs
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to manage the recruitment process. It automates the collection, sorting and ranking of resumés to identify the most suitable candidates for a job. The primary purpose of an ATS is to ensure only the most relevant resumés reach human recruiters.
How do I know if a company uses an ATS?
Most medium and large companies use ATS software to help manage their hiring process. To work out whether a company uses an ATS, look for the use of online application portals, requests for resumés to be uploaded in specific formats, and automated email responses.
Can I use the same ATS-optimised resumé for all job applications?
While you can start with a standard ATS-optimised resumé template, it is important to tailor your resumé for each job application. Using relevant keywords and phrases from the job description increases its relevance and improves your chances of being shortlisted.
Will using an ATS-friendly resumé guarantee me an interview?
Using an ATS-optimised resumé improves your chances of being shortlisted, but it does not guarantee an interview. You also need to make sure you meet the job requirements and have a strong overall application showing that you’re the ideal applicant.
Can I include graphics or charts in my ATS-friendly resumé?
It is best to avoid using graphics or charts in an ATS-optimised resumé. ATS software may have difficulty with visual elements, which can lead to omission of important information. Stick to a clean, text-based format with standard fonts and bullet points.
